2 new moon新月-第16章

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in　great　shape　when　it　had　belonged　to　his　father；　Billy…　

Inspiration　hit　like　a　bolt　of　lightning—not　unreasonable；　considering　the　storm。　〃You　know　what？　That's　
okay。　I　know　someone　who　builds　cars。〃　

〃Oh。　That's　good。〃　He　smiled　in　relief。　

He　waved　as　I　pulled　away；　still　smiling。　Friendly　kid。　

I　drove　quickly　and　purposefully　now；　in　a　hurry　to　get　home　before　there　was　the　slightest　chance　of　
Charlie　appearing；　even　in　the　highly　unlikely　event　that　he　might　knock　off　early。　I　dashed　through　the　
house　to　the　phone；　keys　still　in　hand。　

〃Chief　Swan；　please；〃　I　said　when　the　deputy　answered。　〃It's　Bella。〃　

〃Oh；　hey；　Bella；〃　Deputy　Steve　said　affably。　〃I'll　go　get　him。〃　

I　waited。　

〃What's　wrong；　Bella？〃　Charlie　demanded　as　soon　as　he　picked　up　the　phone。　

〃Can't　I　call　you　at　work　without　there　being　an　emergency？〃　

He　was　quiet　for　a　minute。　〃You　never　have　before。　Is　there　an　emergency？〃　

〃No。　I　just　wanted　directions　to　the　Blacks'　place—I'm　not　sure　I　can　remember　the　way。　I　want　to　visit　
Jacob。　I　haven't　seen　him　in　months。〃　

When　Charlie　spoke　again；　his　voice　was　much　happier。　〃That's　a　great　idea；　Bells。　Do　you　have　a　pen？〃　

The　directions　he　gave　me　were　very　simple。　I　assured　him　that　I　would　be　back　for　dinner；　though　he　
tried　to　tell　me　not　to　hurry。　He　wanted　to　join　me　in　La　Push；　and　I　wasn't　having　that。　

So　it　was　with　a　deadline　that　I　drove　too　quickly　through　the　storm…darkened　streets　out　of　town。　I　
hoped　I　could　get　Jacob　alone。　Billy　would　probably　tell　on　me　if　he　knew　what　I　was　up　to。　

While　I　drove；　I　worried　a　little　bit　about　Billy's　reaction　to　seeing　me。　He　would　be　too　pleased。　In　
Billy's　mind；　no　doubt；　this　had　all　worked　out　better　than　he　had　dared　to　hope。　His　pleasure　and　relief　
would　only　remind　me　of　the　one　I　couldn't　bear　to　be　reminded　of。　Not　again　today；　I　pleaded　silently。　
I　was　spent。　

The　Blacks'　house　was　vaguely　familiar；　a　small　wooden　place　with　narrow　windows；　the　dull　red　paint　
making　it　resemble　a　tiny　barn。　Jacob's　head　peered　out　of　the　window　before　I　could　even　get　out　of　the　
truck。　No　doubt　the　familiar　roar　of　the　engine　had　tipped　him　off　to　my　approach。　Jacob　had　been　very　
grateful　when　Charlie　bought　Billy's　truck　for　me；　saving　Jacob　from　having　to　drive　it　when　he　came　of　
age。　I　liked　my　truck　very　much；　but　Jacob　seemed　to　consider　the　speed　restrictions　a　shortcoming。　

He　met　me　halfway　to　the　house。　

〃Bella！〃　His　excited　grin　stretched　wide　across　his　face；　the　bright　teeth　standing　in　vivid　contrast　to　the　
deep　russet　color　of　his　skin。　I'd　never　seen　his　hair　out　of　its　usual　ponytail　before。　It　fell　like　black　satin　
curtains　on　either　side　of　his　broad　face。　

Jacob　had　grown　into　some　of　his　potential　in　the　last　eight　months。　He'd　passed　that　point　where　the　soft　
muscles　of　childhood　hardened　into　the　solid；　lanky　build　of　a　teenager；　the　tendons　and　veins　had　
become　prominent　under　the　red…brown　skin　of　his　arms；　his　hands。　His　face　was　still　sweet　like　I　
remembered　it；　though　it　had　hardened；　too—the　planes　of　his　cheekbones　sharper；　his　jaw　squared　off；　
all　childish　roundness　gone。　

〃Hey；　Jacob！〃　I　felt　an　unfamiliar　surge　of　enthusiasm　at　his　smile。　I　realized　that　I　was　pleased　to　see　him。　
This　knowledge　surprised　me。　

I　smiled　back；　and　something　clicked　silently　into　place；　like　two　corresponding　puzzle　pieces。　I'd　
forgotten　how　much　I　really　liked　Jacob　Black。　

He　stopped　a　few　feet　away　from　me；　and　I　stared　up　at　him　in　surprise；　leaning　my　head　back　though　
the　rain　pelted　my　face。　

〃You　grew　again！〃　I　accused　in　amazement。　

He　laughed；　his　smile　widening　impossibly。　〃Six　five；〃　he　announced　with　self…satisfaction。　His　voice　was　
deeper；　but　it　had　the　husky　tone　I　remembered。　

〃Is　it　ever　going　to　stop？〃　I　shook　my　head　in　disbelief。　〃You're　huge。〃　

〃Still　a　beanpole；　though。〃　He　grimaced。　〃Come　inside！　You're　getting　all　wet。〃　

He　led　the　way；　twisting　his　hair　in　his　big　hands　as　he　walked。　He　pulled　a　rubber　band　from　his　hip　
pocket　and　wound　it　around　the　bundle。　

〃Hey；　Dad；〃　he　called　as　he　ducked　to　get　through　the　front　door。　〃Look　who　stopped　by。〃　

Billy　was　in　the　tiny　square　living　room；　a　book　in　his　hands。　He　set　the　book　in　his　lap　and　wheeled　
himself　forward　when　he　saw　me。　

〃Well；　what　do　you　know！　It's　good　to　see　you；　Bella。〃　

We　shook　hands。　Mine　was　lost　in　his　wide　grasp。　

〃What　brings　you　out　here？　Everything　okay　with　Charlie？〃　

〃Yes；　absolutely。　I　just　wanted　to　see　Jacob—I　haven't　seen　him　in　forever。〃　

Jacob's　eyes　brightened　at　my　words。　He　was　smiling　so　big　it　looked　like　it　would　hurt　his　cheeks。　

〃Can　you　stay　for　dinner？〃　Billy　was　eager；　too。　

〃No；　I've　got　to　feed　Charlie；　you　know。〃　

〃I'll　call　him　now；〃　Billy　suggested。　〃He's　always　invited。〃　

I　laughed　to　hide　my　discomfort。　〃It's　not　like　you'll　never　see　me　again。　I　promise　I'll　be　back　again　
soon—so　much　you'll　get　sick　of　me。〃　After　all；　if　Jacob　could　fix　the　bike；　someone　had　to　teach　me　
how　to　ride　it。　

Billy　chuckled　in　response。　〃Okay；　maybe　next　time。〃　

〃So；　Bella；　what　do　you　want　to　do？〃　Jacob　asked。　

〃Whatever。　What　were　you　doing　before　I　interrupted？〃　I　was　strangely　comfortable　here。　It　was　familiar；　
but　only　distantly。　There　were　no　painful　reminders　of　the　recent　past。　

Jacob　hesitated。　〃I　was　just　heading　out　to　work　on　my　car；　but　we　can　do　something　else…〃　

〃No；　that's　perfect！〃　I　interrupted。　〃I'd　love　to　see　your　car。〃　

〃Okay；〃　he　said；　not　convinced。　〃It's　out　back；　in　the　garage。〃　

Even　better；　I　thought　to　myself。　I　waved　at　Billy。　〃See　you　later。〃　

A　thick　stand　of　trees　and　shrubbery　concealed　his　garage　from　the　house。　The　garage　was　no　more　than　
a　couple　of　big　preformed　sheds　that　had　been　bolted　together　with　their　interior　walls　knocked　out。　
Under　this　shelter；　raised　on　cinder　blocks；　was　what　looked　to　me　like　a　completed　automobile。　I　
recognized　the　symbol　on　the　grille；　at　least。　

〃What　kind　of　Volkswagen　is　that？〃　I　asked。　

〃It's　an　old　Rabbit—1986；　a　classic。〃　

〃How's　it　going？〃　

〃Almost　finished；〃　he　said　cheerfully。　And　then　his　voice　dropped　into　a　lower　key。　〃My　dad　made　good　
on　his　promise　last　spring。〃　

〃Ah；〃　I　said。　

He　seemed　to　understand　my　reluctance　to　open　the　subject。　I　tried　not　to　remember　last　May　at　the　
prom。　Jacob　had　been　bribed　by　his　father　with　money　and　car　parts　to　deliver　a　message　there。　Billy　
wanted　me　to　stay　a　safe　distance　from　the　most　important　person　in　my　life。　It　turned　out　that　his　
concern　was；　in　the　end；　unnecessary。　I　was　all　too　safe　now。　

But　I　was　going　to　see　what　I　could　do　to　change　that。　

〃Jacob；　what　do　you　know　about　motorcycles？〃　I　asked。　

He　shrugged。　〃Some。　My　friend　Embry　has　a　dirt　bike。　We　work　on　it　together　sometimes。　Why？〃　

〃Well…〃　I　pursed　my　lips　as　I　considered。　I　wasn't　sure　if　he　could　keep　his　mouth　shut；　but　I　didn't　have　
many　other　options。　〃I　recently　acquired　a　couple　of　bikes；　and　they're　not　in　the　greatest　condition。　I　
wonder　if　you　could　get　them　running？〃　

〃Cool。〃　He　seemed　truly　pleased　by　the　challenge。　His　face　glowed。　〃I'll　give　it　a　try。〃　

I　held　up　one　finger　in　warning。　〃The　thing　is；〃　I　explained；　〃Charlie　doesn't　approve　of　motorcycles。　
Honestly；　he'd　probably　bust　a　vein　in　his　forehead　if　he　knew　about　this。　So　you　can't　tell　Billy。〃　

〃Sure；　sure。〃　Jacob　smiled。　〃I　understand。〃　

〃I'll　pay　you；〃　I　continued。　

This　offended　him。　〃No。　I　want　to　help。　You　can't　pay　me。〃　

〃Well…　how　about　a　trade；　then？〃　I　was　making　this　up　as　I　went；　but　it　seemed　reasonable　enough。　〃I　
only　need　one　bike—and　I'll　need　lessons；　too。　So　how　about　this？　I'll　give　you　the　other　bike；　and　then　
you　can　teach　me。〃　

〃Swee…eet。〃　He　made　the　word　into　two　syllables。　

〃Wait　a　sec—are　you　legal　yet？　When's　your　birthday？〃　

〃You　missed　it；〃　he　teased；　narrowing　his　eyes　in　mock　resentment。　〃I'm　sixteen。〃　

〃Not　that　your　age　ever　stopped　you　before；〃　I　muttered。　〃Sorry　about　your　birthday。〃　

〃Don't　worry　about　it。　I　missed　yours。　What　are　you；　forty？〃　

I　sniffed。　〃Close。〃　

〃We'll　have　a　joint　party　to　make　up　for　it。〃　

〃Sounds　like　a　date。〃　

His　eyes　sparkled　at　the　word。　

I　needed　to　reign　in　the　enthusiasm　before　I　gave　him　the　wrong　idea—it　was　just　that　it　had　been　a　long　
time　since　I'd　felt　so　light　and　buoyant。　The　rarity　of　the　feeling　made　it　more　difficult　to　manage。　

〃Maybe　when　the　bikes　are　finished—our　present　to　ourselves；〃　I　added。　

〃Deal。　When　will　you　bring　them　down？〃　

I　bit　my　lip；　embarrassed。　〃They're　in　my　truck　now；〃　I　admitted。　

〃Great。〃　He　seemed　to　mean　it。　

〃Will　Billy　see　if　we　bring　them　around？〃　

He　winked　at　me。　〃We'll　be　sneaky。〃　

We　eased　around　from　the　east；　sticking　to　the　trees　when　we　were　in　view　of　the　windows；　affecting　a　
casual…looking　stroll；　just　in　case。　Jacob　unloaded　the　bikes　swiftly　from　the　truck　bed；　wheeling　them　
one　by　one　into　the　shrubbery　where　I　hid。　It　looked　too　easy　for　him—I'd　remembered　the　bikes　being　
much；　much　heavier　than　that。　

〃These　aren't　half　bad；〃　Jacob　appraised　as　we　pushed　them　through　the　cover　of　the　trees。　〃This　one　
here　will　actually　be　worth　something　when　I'm　done—it's　an　old　Harley　Sprint。〃　

〃That　one's　yours；　then。〃　

〃Are　you　sure？〃　

〃Absolutely。〃　

〃These　are　going　to　take　some　cash；　though；〃　he　said；　frowning　down　at　the　blackened　metal。　〃We'll　have　
to　save　up　for　parts　first。〃　

〃We　nothing；〃　I　disagreed。　〃If　you're　doing　this　for　free；　I'll　pay　for　the　parts。〃　

〃I　don't　know…〃　he　muttered。　

〃I've　got　some　money　saved。　College　fund；　you　know。〃　College；　schmollege；　I　thought　to　myself。　It　
wasn't　like　I'd　saved　up　enough　to　go　anywhere　special—and　besides；　I　had　no　desire　to　leave　Forks　
anyway。　What　difference　would　it　make　if　I　skimmed　a　little　bit　off　the　top？　

Jacob　just　nodded。　This　all　made　perfect　sense　to　him。　

As　we　skulked　back　to　the　makeshift　garage；　I　contemplated　my　luck。　Only　a　teenage　boy　would　agree　
to　this：　deceiving　both　our　parents　while　repairing　dangerous　vehicles　using　money　meant　for　my　college　
education。　He　didn't　see　anything　wrong　with　that　picture。　Jacob　was　a　gift　from　the　gods。　

6。　FRIENDS　




THE　MOTORCYCLES　DIDN'T　NEED　TO　BE　HIDDEN　ANY　further　than　simply　placing　them　in　
Jacob's　shed。　Billy's　wheelchair　couldn't　maneuver　the　uneven　ground　separating　it　from　the　house。　

Jacob　started　pulling　the　first　bike—the　red　one；　which　was　destined　for　me—to　pieces　immediately。　He　
opened　up　the　passenger　door　of　the　Rabbit　so　I　could　sit　on　the　seat　instead　of　the　ground。　While　he　
worked；　Jacob　chattered　happily；　needing　only　the　lightest　of　nudges　from　me　to　keep　the　conversation　
rolling。　He　updated　me　on　the　progress　of　his　sophomore　year　of　school；　running　on　about　his　classes　and　

his　two　best　friends。　

〃Quil　and　Embry？〃　I　interrupted。　〃Those　are　unusual　names。〃　

Jacob　chuckled。　〃Quil's　is　a　hand…me…down；　and　I　think　Embry　got　named　after　a　soap　opera　star。　I　can't　
say　anything；　though。　They　fight　dirty　if　you　start　on　their　names—they'll　tag　team　you。〃　

〃Good　frie