"Twilight - 03 - Eclipse" - читать интересную книгу автора (Meyer Stephanie)

A greater dilemma than the first. It took me a moment to find the right words. УJacob might be . . . difficult.Ф

УThe Blacks are practically family, Bella,Ф he said, stern and fatherly again. УAnd Jacob has been a very,very good friend to you.Ф

УI know that.Ф

УDonТt you miss him at all?Ф Charlie asked, frustrated.

My throat suddenly felt swollen; I had to clear it twice before I answered. УYes, I do miss him,Ф I admitted, still looking down. УI miss him a lot.Ф

УThen why is it difficult?Ф

It wasnТt something I was at liberty to explain. It was against the rules for normal people Чhuman people like me and Charlie Ч to know about the clandestine world full of myths and monsters that existed secretly around us. I knew all about that world Ч and I was in no small amount of trouble as a result. I wasnТt about to get Charlie in the same trouble.

УWith Jacob there is a . . . conflict,Ф I said slowly. УA conflict about the friendship thing, I mean. Friendship doesnТt always seem to be enough for Jake.Ф I wound my excuse out of details that were true but insignificant, hardly crucial compared to the fact that JacobТs werewolf pack bitterly hated EdwardТs vampire family Ч and therefore me, too, as I fully intended to join that family. It just wasnТt something I could work out with him in a note, and he wouldnТt answer my calls. But my plan to deal with the werewolf in person had definitely not gone over well with the vampires.

УIsnТt Edward up for a little healthy competition?Ф CharlieТs voice was sarcastic now.

I leveled a dark look at him. УThereТs no competition.Ф

УYouТre hurting JakeТs feelings, avoiding him like this. HeТd rather be just friends than nothing.Ф

Oh, nowI was avoidinghim ?

УIТm pretty sure Jake doesnТt want to be friends at all.Ф The words burned in my mouth. УWhereТd you get that idea, anyway?Ф

Charlie looked embarrassed now. УThe subject might have come up today with Billy. . . .Ф

УYou and Billy gossip like old women,Ф I complained, stabbing my fork viciously into the congealed spaghetti on my plate.

УBillyТs worried about Jacob,Ф Charlie said. УJakeТs having a hard time right now. . . . HeТs depressed.Ф

I winced, but kept my eyes on the blob.

УAnd then you were always so happy after spending the day with Jake.Ф Charlie sighed.

УIТm happynow ,Ф I growled fiercely through my teeth.

The contrast between my words and tone broke through the tension. Charlie burst into laughter, and I had to join in.

УOkay, okay,Ф I agreed. УBalance.Ф

УAnd Jacob,Ф he insisted.

УIТll try.Ф

УGood. Find that balance, Bella. And, oh, yeah, youТve got some mail,Ф Charlie said, closing the subject with no attempt at subtlety. УItТs by the stove.Ф

I didnТt move, my thoughts twisting into snarls around JacobТs name. It was most likely junk mail; IТd just gotten a package from my mom yesterday and I wasnТt expecting anything else.