TWILIGHT BOOK CLUB: CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR, AN IMPASSE

TAer ifellhard is back with chapter 24 of Twilight.

In “Impasse” Bella awakens in a hospital room in Phoenix hooked up to needles and monitors after being unconscious for several days following the attack in the ballet studio. Bella sees her mother for the first time since moving to Forks and this is the first time that Renee has met any of the Cullens and she learns that Bella has a boyfriend. We also see Bella apologizing for almost dying and Edward blaming himself for her injuries. This chapter also includes the first time that Edward and Bella discuss her becoming a vampire.

Upon waking, Edward is by Bella’s side keeping her from pulling at her IV and she learns the extent of her injuries, including how she had to have a blood transfusion that made her smell “all wrong” to Edward. She also learns that Emmett and Jasper took care of James. Edward clues Bella in on their cover story for what happened and tells her about Alice’s fun fabricating evidence at the hotel. Edward begins to tell Bella that her only job now is to heal and strokes her cheek, it creates an embarrassing situation for her because the monitors begin beeping and Edward won’t be the only one that would know that her heart was racing with his touches and kisses.

Renee returns to the room and Edward pretends to sleep in a chair while she and Bella talk. Bella learns that Phil has been signed by a team in Jacksonville and Renee begins telling her how much she’ll love living there and describes their house. Bella tells her that she wants to stay in Forks and Renee asks if Edward has anything to do with it. Not wanting to let her mother know too much, she tells her that, “He’s part of it.” Renee tells Bella that she thinks that Edward is in love with her and she tells her mom that she’s pretty crazy about him. Not really wanting to have a conversation about how much she’s really in love with Edward after Renee expresses concern about Bella being too young to be so serious, Bella tells her that, “It’s just a crush.”

Renee leaves and Edward expresses his surprise at Bella’s decision to stay in Forks. Bella points out that Edward wouldn’t be able to go out during the day in Jacksonville and he tells her that he would stay in Forks – someplace where he couldn’t hurt her anymore. Bella’s heart rate speeds up and she begins to hyperventilate. Bella begs Edward not to leave her. They have a conversation about how she’s tired of being Lois Lane and he tells her that he doesn’t mind saving her, except for the fact that he’s the one putting her in danger. Bella tells him that he’s the reason she’s alive yet he continues to berate himself, confessing that he was afraid of killing her himself when sucking out the venom. Bella asks Edward again to never leave her. He never actually makes the promise, but tells her that he doesn’t seem to be strong enough to stay away.

Forgetting that Edward does not know what Alice told her about becoming a vampire, Bella asks him why he didn’t just let the venom spread. Edward is furious that Bella was told how to become a vampire and states that he will not change her. Despite her arguments, Edward refuses to end her life and change her. Bella points out that Edward isn’t the only vampire that she knows. Edward’s eyes go black and he tells her that, “Alice wouldn’t dare.” Bella guesses that Alice has already seen a vision of her as a vampire and knows that it will happen someday. Edward quickly points out that Alice also saw Bella dead. Bella tells Edward that he’ll never catch her betting against Alice. Edward and Bella stare at each other for a while and Bella asks where this leaves them. Edward informs her, chuckling, “I believe it’s called an impasse.”

Despite her protests, Edward calls the nurse to give Bella more pain medication. Edward reminds her that she needs rest to heal and that their arguing isn’t going to do her any good. Edward tells Bella he loves her and she tells him that she loves him, too. They kiss and Bella’s last mumbled words to Edward are, “I’m betting on Alice.”

Characters Involved:
Edward, Bella, Renee

Characters Mentioned:
James, Carlisle, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Charlie

Places Visited:
Phoenix – Bella’s hospital room

Significant Events
Bella wakes up from being nearly killed by James

Bella sees her mother for the first time since moving to Forks

Renee meets Edward, Carlisle, and Alice

Bella and Edward have their first serious conversation about her becoming a vampire

Bella realizes that Alice has already seen her as a vampire

Memorable Quotes
Edward Cullen: “You fell down two flights of stairs and through a window. You have to admit, it could happen.” Chapter 24, page 459

Edward Cullen: “Afraid of a needle, oh, a sadistic vampire, intent on torturing her to death, sure, no problem, she runs off to meet him. An IV, on the other hand…” Chapter 24, page 462

Bella Swan: “That’s going to be embarrassing” Chapter 24, page 463

Bella Swan: “Don’t forget to breathe” Chapter 24, page 464

Renee Dwyer: “I think that boy is in love with you” Chapter 24, page 467

Renee Dwyer: “Well, he seems very nice, and, my goodness, he’s incredibly good-looking, but you’re so young, Bella…” Chapter 24, page 468

Bella Swan: “You are my life. You’re the only thing it would hurt me to lose.”Chapter 24, page 474

Bella Swan: “I’m betting on Alice.” Chapter 24, page 480

Questions for consideration:

1. Is there something you noticed in this chapter that you’d like to discuss with the book club?

2. Did you see any particular symbolism or little detail you have never noticed before while re-reading this Chapter?

3. Do you think that Edward actually believed Bella when she told her mother, “It’s just a crush.”?

4. What do you think about Edward’s “promise” not to leave Bella?

5. What did you think about how the Cullens dealt with James? Did Renee’s comments about the recent crime in the neighborhood surprise you?

6. What did you think about Edward’s reaction when he learned that Bella knew how to become a vampire?

7. What are your favorite quotes from this chapter?

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Each Friday we will post a new chapter. Please read along with us and jump into the discussion. Add your thoughts, questions, insights, etc….We look forward to hearing from you.