The chapter is quite a memorable one - a fan favorite for many - because of the epic
staredown-in-the-parking-lot that takes place between Edward and Jacob.You'll recall of course, that at the end of Chapter 2 (discussed here), Edward's gotten Bella amped up about going to Florida to visit her mother (although the route taken to motivate her was a little, well, precarious).
In Chapter 3, they've only just returned from Florida, and Edward notes that "Renée is so much more… perceptive than Charlie in some ways." (page 66).
While visiting, Bella remembers, Renee noted Bella and Edward's semi-physical connection to one another (page 67).
There’s something… strange about the way you two are together. The way he watches you — it’s so… protective. Like he’s about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save you or something.
Of course, Edward's motive in taking Bella to Florida is revealed in Chapter 3, and it has more to do with Victoria than the La Push party than Bella previously guessed. In fact, Victoria has been prowling the outskirts of La Push (the treaty line, more like it), causing some major tensions between the Cullens and the wolfpack.
When this information is revealed, Jacob and Edward are still in the parking lot, and when Edward protests to relaying it (citing the fact that Bella becomes visibly upset at the news), Jacob seizes his chance to remind Edward what an upset Bella really can look like. "It’s nothing, Bella. Jacob just has a good memory, that’s all," Edward says, despite the fact that his face mirrors the expression he wore in New Moon while being tortured by Jane.
"Troublemaker" though he may have appeared, Jacob reaches out to Bella, finally, to try and make amends. "I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me" (page 83).
Though Edward isn't for the idea, it does begin the wheels turning in that direction.
Motives was a great chapter for a couple of reasons. Like the introductory chapters prior, this one really sets the tone for what's to come with Eclipse. This time, the focus was upon the three major relationships involved here. While the loom of Victoria is an obvious focal point of the discussions, the fact of the matter is that we're learning a lot about where Bella and Edward are - satellites - and where Bella and Jacob are headed. We also learn where and how Edward and Jacob's communication will go. The banter between them in Eclipse - though serious as can be - is very fun and colorful throughout the story. We get a sneak peek at that relationship in these passages of Chapter 3.
Any other thoughts on this chapter? Any quote suggestions for next week's discussion of Chapter 4, "Nature?"
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