Chapter 11: The Times They Are a Changin’
“So, wewe have an ice house.” I offered. It was a nice house a decent size with beautiful furniture. But it had an empty feel to it. Sienna shrugged, a house and a nyumbani are two different things she alisema bitterly. Ever since my mother died my father consumes himself with work. My sister Jessica took off after graduation she lives in Buffalo, NY. I was not really close with her we are complete opposites. I guess wewe could say my mom was the glue that held this family together”. “How long zamani did she die? I asked. “I was a baby I don’t even remember her.” Sienna alisema quietly. I’m sorry I told her. I couldn’t imagine being without my mother au father they were my life, my entire huge wacky family was my very essence I felt horrible for her and thought how odd it was that a mansion full of Wanyonya damu was zaidi comforting than this lonely house. “It’s alright; I’m a loner she smiled slyly. We watched TV for a bit and she showed me her drawings. There were many of this mysterious girl. She also had drawings of a guy who looked familiar I just couldn’t put my finger on it. “Who is that guy?” I asked her. “I have no idea, I keep dreaming about him and the girl in my other drawings.” “Huh” I commented. “Well these are really good wewe are pretty talented.” She smiled shyly which was out of character for her I had yet to see her be timid about anything. “They’re alright she said, “I really want to go to college for art. It’s the only thing hat means anything to me.” I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t invited her to my party yet. “Si, I said, “do wewe want to come to my birthday party tomorrow night? It’s my sweet 16. It’s probably going to be lame, I have a ton of family coming in from out of town and my aunt is like this deranged party planner I could use wewe there for moral support.” She lit up when she heard me describe my family. “I would upendo to; I haven’t been to any type of family function in so long.” One zaidi thing I added with a cringe, “It’s a formal event” she laughed “I can handle it don’t worry.” I smiled at her “if wewe want wewe can just come nyumbani with me and we can get ready together. My aunt loves playing dress up I am sure she has a kanzu, gown that wewe could borrow.” She looked truly excited. It sounds really fun Ness I would upendo to come. “So is that guy coming?” She asked with interest. “Who Nahuel?” “That’s his name?” she asked with wide eyes “mmm exotic.” She teased “Oh shut up Si I told her with a giggle. “He’s invited but he looked pretty mad so who knows.” I told her. “Well either way we will have fun” she promised. I hugged her and then I walked out of the house I called my mother but my father answered this time.” I will be down the mitaani, mtaa in two seconds” he growled. I heard his car before I saw him. I could tell he wasn’t happy with me when I got in the car. He didn’t look at me which is his method for controlling his anger when I am involved. He stared at the road, “Do wewe mind explaining the little spectacle wewe put on at school today?” I sighed, “I’m sorry daddy, he kissed me I didn’t initiate it.” He finally looked at me I cowered in my kiti, kiti cha when I saw how fierce his eyes looked. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t track him down right now Renesmee.” He snarled. “DAD. I alisema “You are overreacting. wewe wanted me to have human experiences there wewe go, I had one.” I snapped. He pulled into my grandparent’s driveway and then parked the car. I hadn’t realized that we had been driving so fast. “That is ridiculous Renesmee I didn’t intend for wewe to make out with a guy in the cafeteria. Listen I don’t like how this guy is behaving with you. It is very disrespectful.” I tried to keep my tone even, “I’m sorry if wewe are offended. He likes me daddy. No guy has ever liked me, he understands me I can be myself around him. I don’t have a lot of Marafiki please don’t ruin this for me, leave him alone.” I looked at him as fiercely as I could, then I turned from him and ran to our cottage. I stayed in my room for the rest of the night much to my Aunt Alice’s dismay apparently she had been hoping for a dress rehearsal. I didn’t care; I was so fed up with almost every aspect of my life. I fell into a dark and troubled sleep Jacob was trying to warn me about something and it didn’t make any sense all of a sudden Nahuel came into my view with that same angry look that he had on his face in the parking lot. His eyes were so fierce and red that I woke up with a scream. My parents ran into my room, “are wewe ok what happened?” they wanted to know. It’s ok just a bad dream I assured them. My aunt Alice came bounding into the room “alright people we have a lot of work to do when stopped short Nessie wewe look awful are wewe testing my skills for tonight au something?” I got up and looked in the mirror she was right. I had dark circles under my eyes and I was very pale. My mother looked at me in concern and placed my head in her hands, “I think wewe should stay nyumbani today.” She said. I can’t I told her I have to go to school, plus Sienna is coming nyumbani with me to get ready for the party. I turned to my aunt Alice, “do wewe have a dress for her? She is all alone her mom died when she was little her father is away on business and her sister is in another state.” My aunt looked at me excitedly, “of course, Oh this will be so fun” she squealed. My mother looked at me, “The poor girl” she murmured “she is Jessica’s little sister isn’t she?” I nodded. My mother’s face became dark. “Her mother died in childbirth with her” she alisema it in almost a whisper my father put his arms around her protectively. My mother was very sensitive to children such as this considering it had happened to her and luckily my father had been there to save her. “She is welcome here anytime” my mother told me; just remember to keep your distance with the details of our family.” “I know mom, I told wewe she doesn’t ask.” My mother hugged me and looked at me with a sad look on her face, “I can’t believe my baby is going to be fully grown. I upendo wewe Renesmee I am so thankful for you, wewe are my Angel wewe know that right?” She asked. I smiled my mother had always called me that from the time I was a baby. I upendo wewe too mom. I told her “Alright enough I have got to get her looking halfway decent for school!” Aunt Alice declared I groaned, “isn’t it enough that I am yours later can’t I just wear jeans and sneakers?” “Nope, she replied with a smile. She tossed me a pair of skinny jeans, boots and a lace lined black tank with a matching cropped sweater. “Perfection!” she smiled.
Most of my siku was a blur my aunt Alice and Aunt Rosalie dropped me at school on her way to the caterers and all of the rest of the errands they were running. I laughed to myself as they were bickering over party details when I got out of the car. At lunch I was nervous to see Nahuel but he wasn’t there. As I sat in the cafeteria, I started to feel really weird I felt hot and my moyo started pounding. My head was spinning and I felt as though I was going to pass out, so I got up to get outside for a dakika I needed air. I stumbled out of the door and sat at a picnic meza, jedwali and put my head down momentarily. After a bit the heady feeling I had started to leave me it was replaced kwa this surge of power that shot through my body I had never felt it before. I glanced at my cell phone I considered calling my parents I was shaking now. I noticed the time, it was officially my birthday. All of a sudden I had this gut wrenching compulsion to get to Jacob I needed him. I had never needed him before, not like this. I longed for his voice his face… suddenly my father was standing over me. “Nessie?” His face wrought with concern. “Daddy what’s happening to me? I asked. “I had no idea, I never would have sent wewe to school today if I knew” he picked me u and carried me to the car. “I already talked to the school nurse” he alisema as e laid me across the back seat. My mother was in the front kiti, kiti cha and she instantly got into the back with me and cradled me in her arms. “Its ok honey, wewe are changing wewe are immortal now.” “When will it stop I shrieked as the shaking became zaidi violent. “We aren’t sure my father replied we are going nyumbani now Grandpa Carlisle will meet us there.” He sped along the streets and all I could think of was Jacob, my eyes closed and I fell into a troubled sleep. I was running after Jacob but he kept slipping out from my reach then I was chasing a mbwa mwitu he jumped off a cliff, I followed and woke up screaming. I was n my kitanda and my parents and Grandfather were right there. “Nessie!” My mother cried.”Jacob, my Jacob what have I done?” I sobbed. My mother turned to my father and I heard her whisper, “it happened.” “What happened?” I asked “the change” my father offered a little too quickly I knew they were hiding something form me but I didn’t have the energy to fight it. “I think that we should cancel the party my grandfather alisema quietly “She is in no condition.” “No, I said. Aunt Alice has been planning every last detail, I’m ok,” I did a quick inventory. I was no longer trembling au feeling faint. I went to get up and my father helped me, “Are wewe sure?” he asked. I am fine I reassured him. “Oh no!” I alisema as I realized what time it was. “I offered to give Sienna a ride nyumbani with me to get ready. I have to call her!” My aunt Rosalie sailed into the room I will pick her up she offered. Thank wewe I told her I called Sienna, “Hey have wewe been waiting long?” “Just ten dakika au so she replied. “Where are you? People saw wewe get carried out to a car in lunch are wewe ok? I have been texting wewe like crazy.” “Yea I’m fine, I must have ate something bad I told her, “my d- uncle picked me up I am fine now though. “ “Good, she alisema with relief, “you had me scared.” “My aunt Rosalie is going to pick wewe up she will be there soon.” “Ok,” Sienna said, “get some rest, wewe will need it I have a feeling this will be one hell of a part
“So, wewe have an ice house.” I offered. It was a nice house a decent size with beautiful furniture. But it had an empty feel to it. Sienna shrugged, a house and a nyumbani are two different things she alisema bitterly. Ever since my mother died my father consumes himself with work. My sister Jessica took off after graduation she lives in Buffalo, NY. I was not really close with her we are complete opposites. I guess wewe could say my mom was the glue that held this family together”. “How long zamani did she die? I asked. “I was a baby I don’t even remember her.” Sienna alisema quietly. I’m sorry I told her. I couldn’t imagine being without my mother au father they were my life, my entire huge wacky family was my very essence I felt horrible for her and thought how odd it was that a mansion full of Wanyonya damu was zaidi comforting than this lonely house. “It’s alright; I’m a loner she smiled slyly. We watched TV for a bit and she showed me her drawings. There were many of this mysterious girl. She also had drawings of a guy who looked familiar I just couldn’t put my finger on it. “Who is that guy?” I asked her. “I have no idea, I keep dreaming about him and the girl in my other drawings.” “Huh” I commented. “Well these are really good wewe are pretty talented.” She smiled shyly which was out of character for her I had yet to see her be timid about anything. “They’re alright she said, “I really want to go to college for art. It’s the only thing hat means anything to me.” I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t invited her to my party yet. “Si, I said, “do wewe want to come to my birthday party tomorrow night? It’s my sweet 16. It’s probably going to be lame, I have a ton of family coming in from out of town and my aunt is like this deranged party planner I could use wewe there for moral support.” She lit up when she heard me describe my family. “I would upendo to; I haven’t been to any type of family function in so long.” One zaidi thing I added with a cringe, “It’s a formal event” she laughed “I can handle it don’t worry.” I smiled at her “if wewe want wewe can just come nyumbani with me and we can get ready together. My aunt loves playing dress up I am sure she has a kanzu, gown that wewe could borrow.” She looked truly excited. It sounds really fun Ness I would upendo to come. “So is that guy coming?” She asked with interest. “Who Nahuel?” “That’s his name?” she asked with wide eyes “mmm exotic.” She teased “Oh shut up Si I told her with a giggle. “He’s invited but he looked pretty mad so who knows.” I told her. “Well either way we will have fun” she promised. I hugged her and then I walked out of the house I called my mother but my father answered this time.” I will be down the mitaani, mtaa in two seconds” he growled. I heard his car before I saw him. I could tell he wasn’t happy with me when I got in the car. He didn’t look at me which is his method for controlling his anger when I am involved. He stared at the road, “Do wewe mind explaining the little spectacle wewe put on at school today?” I sighed, “I’m sorry daddy, he kissed me I didn’t initiate it.” He finally looked at me I cowered in my kiti, kiti cha when I saw how fierce his eyes looked. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t track him down right now Renesmee.” He snarled. “DAD. I alisema “You are overreacting. wewe wanted me to have human experiences there wewe go, I had one.” I snapped. He pulled into my grandparent’s driveway and then parked the car. I hadn’t realized that we had been driving so fast. “That is ridiculous Renesmee I didn’t intend for wewe to make out with a guy in the cafeteria. Listen I don’t like how this guy is behaving with you. It is very disrespectful.” I tried to keep my tone even, “I’m sorry if wewe are offended. He likes me daddy. No guy has ever liked me, he understands me I can be myself around him. I don’t have a lot of Marafiki please don’t ruin this for me, leave him alone.” I looked at him as fiercely as I could, then I turned from him and ran to our cottage. I stayed in my room for the rest of the night much to my Aunt Alice’s dismay apparently she had been hoping for a dress rehearsal. I didn’t care; I was so fed up with almost every aspect of my life. I fell into a dark and troubled sleep Jacob was trying to warn me about something and it didn’t make any sense all of a sudden Nahuel came into my view with that same angry look that he had on his face in the parking lot. His eyes were so fierce and red that I woke up with a scream. My parents ran into my room, “are wewe ok what happened?” they wanted to know. It’s ok just a bad dream I assured them. My aunt Alice came bounding into the room “alright people we have a lot of work to do when stopped short Nessie wewe look awful are wewe testing my skills for tonight au something?” I got up and looked in the mirror she was right. I had dark circles under my eyes and I was very pale. My mother looked at me in concern and placed my head in her hands, “I think wewe should stay nyumbani today.” She said. I can’t I told her I have to go to school, plus Sienna is coming nyumbani with me to get ready for the party. I turned to my aunt Alice, “do wewe have a dress for her? She is all alone her mom died when she was little her father is away on business and her sister is in another state.” My aunt looked at me excitedly, “of course, Oh this will be so fun” she squealed. My mother looked at me, “The poor girl” she murmured “she is Jessica’s little sister isn’t she?” I nodded. My mother’s face became dark. “Her mother died in childbirth with her” she alisema it in almost a whisper my father put his arms around her protectively. My mother was very sensitive to children such as this considering it had happened to her and luckily my father had been there to save her. “She is welcome here anytime” my mother told me; just remember to keep your distance with the details of our family.” “I know mom, I told wewe she doesn’t ask.” My mother hugged me and looked at me with a sad look on her face, “I can’t believe my baby is going to be fully grown. I upendo wewe Renesmee I am so thankful for you, wewe are my Angel wewe know that right?” She asked. I smiled my mother had always called me that from the time I was a baby. I upendo wewe too mom. I told her “Alright enough I have got to get her looking halfway decent for school!” Aunt Alice declared I groaned, “isn’t it enough that I am yours later can’t I just wear jeans and sneakers?” “Nope, she replied with a smile. She tossed me a pair of skinny jeans, boots and a lace lined black tank with a matching cropped sweater. “Perfection!” she smiled.
Most of my siku was a blur my aunt Alice and Aunt Rosalie dropped me at school on her way to the caterers and all of the rest of the errands they were running. I laughed to myself as they were bickering over party details when I got out of the car. At lunch I was nervous to see Nahuel but he wasn’t there. As I sat in the cafeteria, I started to feel really weird I felt hot and my moyo started pounding. My head was spinning and I felt as though I was going to pass out, so I got up to get outside for a dakika I needed air. I stumbled out of the door and sat at a picnic meza, jedwali and put my head down momentarily. After a bit the heady feeling I had started to leave me it was replaced kwa this surge of power that shot through my body I had never felt it before. I glanced at my cell phone I considered calling my parents I was shaking now. I noticed the time, it was officially my birthday. All of a sudden I had this gut wrenching compulsion to get to Jacob I needed him. I had never needed him before, not like this. I longed for his voice his face… suddenly my father was standing over me. “Nessie?” His face wrought with concern. “Daddy what’s happening to me? I asked. “I had no idea, I never would have sent wewe to school today if I knew” he picked me u and carried me to the car. “I already talked to the school nurse” he alisema as e laid me across the back seat. My mother was in the front kiti, kiti cha and she instantly got into the back with me and cradled me in her arms. “Its ok honey, wewe are changing wewe are immortal now.” “When will it stop I shrieked as the shaking became zaidi violent. “We aren’t sure my father replied we are going nyumbani now Grandpa Carlisle will meet us there.” He sped along the streets and all I could think of was Jacob, my eyes closed and I fell into a troubled sleep. I was running after Jacob but he kept slipping out from my reach then I was chasing a mbwa mwitu he jumped off a cliff, I followed and woke up screaming. I was n my kitanda and my parents and Grandfather were right there. “Nessie!” My mother cried.”Jacob, my Jacob what have I done?” I sobbed. My mother turned to my father and I heard her whisper, “it happened.” “What happened?” I asked “the change” my father offered a little too quickly I knew they were hiding something form me but I didn’t have the energy to fight it. “I think that we should cancel the party my grandfather alisema quietly “She is in no condition.” “No, I said. Aunt Alice has been planning every last detail, I’m ok,” I did a quick inventory. I was no longer trembling au feeling faint. I went to get up and my father helped me, “Are wewe sure?” he asked. I am fine I reassured him. “Oh no!” I alisema as I realized what time it was. “I offered to give Sienna a ride nyumbani with me to get ready. I have to call her!” My aunt Rosalie sailed into the room I will pick her up she offered. Thank wewe I told her I called Sienna, “Hey have wewe been waiting long?” “Just ten dakika au so she replied. “Where are you? People saw wewe get carried out to a car in lunch are wewe ok? I have been texting wewe like crazy.” “Yea I’m fine, I must have ate something bad I told her, “my d- uncle picked me up I am fine now though. “ “Good, she alisema with relief, “you had me scared.” “My aunt Rosalie is going to pick wewe up she will be there soon.” “Ok,” Sienna said, “get some rest, wewe will need it I have a feeling this will be one hell of a part
