The waiting

16.

It was Wednesday, there was time to kill before seeing Jacob again. A lot of time. I wasn't sure I could stay sane for another three days. Was I even counting that right? Watching me roam around the house aimlessly was painful for Mom. For a while, I've wondered what could keep her going all day. Since it didn't appear as if she worked, at all. Apart from the occasional chores around the house. I mean, how do you fill your time when you've got an eternity to live?

For Dad it's different, he was used to it—the whole undead business. Sometimes he went on trips with my uncles for 'business trips'. Whatever that meant. Still, he came home, happy to see us, we played pretend around the dinner table while I was the only one stuffing my face. I was neither a vampire nor even a human. When I was younger I played around with my powers—my gifts. It was cool. Now, I've stopped probing people's minds. Firstly, it will get you in a lot of trouble as Dad always scolded me. Secondly, it was not always good knowing everything. It can be quite disappointing. It stripped the life of its awe. Look at me talking like an old grandma. How fitting for an old soul.

"What's wrong?" asked Mom as I played around with my food, I didn't even look up at her. "I mean, from the obvious elephant in the room," she gave me a crooked smile. For a second, I could see the teenager underneath the cool vampiric cloak. We were sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Well, I was doing the eating, while she analyzed my every move.

"How do you do it?" I dropped my fork on my plate, pushing the half-eaten cold pancake aside. She turned—slowly. It was not the same way Dad did it, he was fluid in his movement. Mother when she tried 'slow', it looked painful.

"Do what?" I pursed my lips, I might be young but I was not stupid. I tilted my head to the side.

"How do you plan your eternal retirement?" she threw her head back and laughed. That made her so human. With the back of her hand, she wiped unexistent tears out of habit.

"Do you know how scary you sound? Sometimes, I feel like I'm talking to an adult," her smile stayed and she went on. "I've wished to be with your Dad and that's all I wanted. Frankly, I didn't plan anything and I've got to admit it weighs on me. Edward—your Dad, he has so many hobbies and is not tired or gets bored as I do," her eyes softened each time she spoke of Dad. She must really love him to give up her humanity. Mom, was it worth it? Maybe, I was a punishment.

"At least, it's good to know that I'm not the only one dying of boredom around here," I rolled my eyes.

"Should we call Aunt Alice and tell her to bring snacks and movies?" she leaned over the table as if sharing a secret.

"Now you're talking," I finally smiled. "But I want Ice cream," I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Young lady, aren't you a little spoiled?" she pouted.

"You're starting to sound like Charlie," somehow that made her smile. That kind of prideful smile that warms your heart.