Every Combination

Cullen House
Bella

I've never been outside of Arizona, but I had hoped that I would travel one day. I dreamed of leaving Phoenix to see the world, and then of being able to return to my wonderful and hot city, with amazing sights to remember at home. And I'm traveling now. I'm leaving Arizona and all of the west coast for New York City. I just- I never dreamed it would happen like this. I never wanted to travel because I had been driven away by tragedy. I didn't want to feel such a heaviness- didn't want to miss my parents so terribly. But I don't have a choice in the matter- there was a fire and we had to leave the city. While my parents are back in Arizona, trying to find a new neighborhood, house, and jobs, I've been sent to live in the city on my own. Because they have friends in the city. Because I'm an adult now. Because they don't want me to see the struggle and loss of peace the fire left behind. Because they trust me and have faith in me.

I can do this.

The cab pulls up in front of an old little apartment building and the driver looks around at me expectantly.

I just stare back at him until he asks, "This it?"

I look at the building and see that the number is right- 289- but how am I supposed to know what street I'm even on? How do I know if I'm even in the right part of the city?

"Yes," I tell the driver anyway. "This is great- thanks."

I'm about to get out of the car when the driver clears his throat. I look at him and he says, "The fare, miss."

A hot blush creeps up my neck and face and I smile a little sheepishly. He tells me the price and I rummage through my bag and give him the money and a small tip. He nods to me and I grab my suitcases from the seat next to me and manage to get out of the cab- dropping one of my bags on the sidewalk in the process. Somehow, it unlatches itself and skirts and blouses tumble out onto the sidewalk. I slam the door behind me, and the cab pulls away as I kneel down and quickly stuff all of my things back into my suitcase, feeling my face burn with embarrassment and frustration.

"Miss Bella Swan?"

I look up and see a dark-skinned man with long, black hair- held back in a ponytail- coming around the side of the building in a wheel chair. Pushing him is a younger version of himself- boyish and bright-eyed.

"Is that little Bella Swan?" the man in the wheel chair asks.

I shove the last of my blouses into the suitcase and jam it closed, standing up and smoothing down the lap of my skirt.

"Well, I'll be darned," the man says. "You've grown into a fine young woman, Bella."

I smile a little awkwardly, saying, "Thank you."

"Jacob here spotted the cab the second it pulled up," the man says, gesturing to the young man behind him. "He shot us out here in record time."

I continue to smile.

"You haven't seen me since you were about six years old- when Jacob and I left Washington state," the man says, sounding sympathetic to the awkwardness I feel. "Let me reintroduce myself for you- I'm Billy Black."

I nod, suddenly relieved. I was hoping this was my father's friend and his son- two people I haven't seen in years- and not just two people who are pretending to know me and my name.

"And this is Jacob," Billy says, gesturing to the young man who is smiling widely behind him. "He's just a year younger than you."

I smile and nod at Jacob, saying, "I remember."

"Welcome to good ol' New York, Bella!" Billy says, spreading his arms wide. "Whatd'ya think?"

I look around the street- old and a little shabby- and shrug, saying, "I haven't seen too much of it yet."

"We'll have to fix that- won't we, Jacob?"

Jacob nods and grins at me.

"I'm sure you'll be wanting to get on to the boarding house though, right?" Billy asks me.

Nodding again- while shrugging a little too- I admit, "I am a little tired."

"All right then," Billy says enthusiastically. "Wheel on, Jacob."

Jacob starts pushing his father down the sidewalk, and I follow along side them, holding my suitcases firmly in my hands now.

"How's your dad holding up, Bella?" Billy asks me as we walk.

I resist the urge to sigh and say, "He was doing okay when I left."

This isn't entirely true. My father was stressed out and anxious when I left. Though, he's better than my mom, who's gotten extremely depressed since the fire. I refrain from telling Billy this though.

"That's good to hear," Billy says as we reach a corner and turn left. "That fire sure made a mess out of everything, huh?" he asks, his voice sympathetic and remorseful.

I nod. It was a huge fire- violent and rampant- and it devastated a good bunch of office buildings, houses, stores, and apartments. Our house, Dad's private investigation offices, and the bakery Mom worked in were all victim.

"You're coming in at a good time though," Billy says, trying to be optimistic and bright for me. "The Cullens just opened the boarding house and you're their first boarder."

I smile awkwardly again.

"Dr. Cullen works at the hospital, but they never had kids, so they've decided to take in boarders and take care of them like children, I guess," Billy says amiably. "Though, I don't know how much they're going to baby you, Bella- they might leave you alone a good portion of the time."

"That's fine," I reply. "I'll be working as soon as I can find a job," I tell him.

Billy nods, "That's right, I forgot." After a beat of silence, he says, "Anyway- Dr. and Mrs. Cullen are very nice people. You'll feel right at home at the boarding house."

I nod and smile again, hoping that he's right.

"Welcome to Cullen House, Miss Swan," Dr. Cullen says, opening the door wide to let me in. "Do you need any help Mr. Black?" he calls to Billy as I carefully ascend the stairs and enter the entrance hall.

"I'm all right, Dr. Cullen, thanks," Billy calls. "Jacob and I will be getting on home. You take care of yourself Bella- and stop by at any time, let us know if you need anything!"

I reluctantly nod and smile, and even though I don't want them to leave me just yet, I call, "Thank you very much, Mr. Black! Good-bye Jacob!"

As they turn on the sidewalk, Dr. Cullen closes the door and turns to me, smiling warmly. He's young- younger than I expected- with blonde hair and dark blue eyes. He's dressed in a light blue dress shirt, tan pants, and a dark blue tie. Everything about him and the house is welcoming and friendly, and I feel myself ease up a little.

"Is she here-" a woman all but bounds into the room. "She is!"

She's only a little taller than me, slender and soft, with a heart-shaped face, caramel-colored hair, and hazel eyes.

"Hello, Bella," she says, smiling warmly at me in her pencil skirt and sweater.

"Hello, Mrs. Cullen-"

She cuts me off, saying, "Please, call me Esme."

"Esme," I say softly.

"Would you like to see your room?" she asks me.

I nod.

She takes one of my bags, tells Dr. Cullen that she'll take care of everything, and then leads me up a flight of stairs. As we climb, she says, "You know, Bella, we're so glad to have you here."

"I'm grateful that you're taking me in, Mrs. Cul- Esme," I amend, as she looks at me with a reproachful smile.

"Billy came to us as soon as we opened up the house and told us about the fire," she says, her voice sympathetic and motherly. "We were happy we could help you."

We reach the landing and she walks to the second door and opens it up. I follow her inside and look around. The room is small, but nice. It's painted white, with light, lace curtains on the window that faces onto the back yard. There's a nicely made bed against one wall, and a dresser and mirror against the other. On my night table is a lamp, and on the dresser is a vase full of sweet-smelling lilacs.

"I hope this is okay," she says.

"This is perfect," I tell her, setting one suitcase down on the floor next to my bed.

Esme puts the other suitcase next to it. When she straightens up she says, "Uh- let's see. The bathroom is right next door, there's a phone downstairs in the alcove in the hall...." She thinks for a minute, "And I think that's it. There's no curfew or anything."

I nod.

"Oh! Breakfast is at eight, lunch is between twelve and one, and dinner is at six," she tells me.

I take this in and nod again.

She smiles sympathetically at me and gently- like my own mother would- rubs my upper arm, saying, "And honey, don't worry about rent for the first week or so. We know you're new in the city and you're going through a hard time."

"You don't have to-"

"Just get whatever money you can get to us when you can," she says gently. "Don't lose sleep over it, okay?"

Reluctantly- but gratefully- I nod.

She smiles again and says, "I'll leave you to get settled. Just let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you," I say, and she quietly leaves the room.

When I'm all alone I sit down on the bed and sigh.

Looking around my room, I realize that this is home now- whether I'm ready or not- and I suddenly wish I didn't feel so lonely.