DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT TWILIGHT, OR ANY RELATED CHARACTERS.
A/N: I HADN'T PLANNED TO UPDATE SO SOON, BUT THESE CHARACTERS JUST KEPT RUNNING AROUND IN MY HEAD, LOOKING FOR A WAY (ANYWAY) OUT. SO HERE YOU ARE! R&R PLEASE. REVIEWS ENCOURAGE ME TO UPDATE SOONER.
Chapter 2
Just the Two of Us
The city of Forks welcomes you. City of Forks, Population 3,175. Well whoop-dee-freaking-doo.
Benjamin began to stir as we entered Forks. As we drove down Main Street, Benjamin peered out the window at the decorated store fronts advertising "Back to School" sales. That was another reason I left our home in Alabama so quickly. School would be starting soon, and I wanted to get settled in before Benjamin's first day at a new school.
A couple miles outside of "downtown Forks", I turned onto a broken concrete driveway. The house was nothing impressive; just a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home, that belonged to my grandmother before she died in the early 80's.
Three months, I sighed to myself.
"Are we there yet?" Benjamin called from the backseat. I couldn't help smiling at his heavy southern accent. We were definitely out of place here.
"Yep, this is it. Whattaya think?" I looked over the seat, and waited for his reply.
"It looks old. Do you think it smells?" He wrinkled his nose as he asked.
It probably smells of stale cigarette smoke, alcohol, and old people. "Let's hope not. Ready?"
We both got out, and I unlocked the door with the key I'd found under the matt. As soon as we were inside, Benjamin raced up the stairs to "go exploring." I'm glad someone's excited. I made my way in the kitchen, and found the note from Henry.
Working late at the mill.
Going to the Smoke House afterwards.
Work early tomorrow.
See you when I see you.
Henry
That suited me. The less I had to see him, the better; and why confuse Benjamin now with the "this is your father" bullshit. Father? Please…
"Which room is mine, Katy?" I heard Benjamin call from upstairs.
The layout of the house was great—good to know someone was looking out for us. One bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen, den and laundry were all located downstairs. Upstairs, was the master suite, along with another bedroom and a room that looked to be an office. None of the upstairs rooms seemed to be occupied, so I guessed Henry resided downstairs.
I took the steps, two at a time, racing up the Benjamin. The décor wasn't as bad as I'd imagined, but the place definitely needing a good cleaning.
Benjamin was in the doorway of the master, his eyes bulging.
"How about you take this room," I said pointing to the smaller room, "and this one," motioning to the office, "can be your play/tv room."
"I get two rooms?" He asked, his blue eyes growing bigger.
"Yep, two rooms for a special boy. Your bedroom will be for sleeping and homework, and you'll have the playroom to yourself, with all of your toys. We'll get it cleaned up, and the movers should be here with our things in the morning." This seemed to please him.
"All right, but can I vacuum?" I had yet to understand why this little boy loved to vacuum so much.
"Sure." I said, musing his wavy blond hair.
We walked downstairs, hand in hand, touring the rest of the house. When we made our way back to the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator, only for it to be empty. The pantry held the same as the fridge—nothing.
"How do you feel about a little shopping trip? And maybe we'll go by the school?" I asked Benjamin.
"Yippee! I'm gonna get to see my new school." He couldn't contain his excitement.
"Let's go." I followed him outside, locking the door behind me.
The ride back into town was pleasant. Benjamin bounced in his seat, asking tons questions. "Where's the school? Where's the store? Can I get Fruit Loops? When can I go to school?" Benjamin was a ball of energy, and he seemed to be enjoying this new town.
I decided we'd register at the school before going to the grocery store. We came across the high school. Several cars were parked outside—they probably belonged to teachers or the football players who were practicing in the adjacent field. Benjamin and I walked into the building, locating the office immediately.
"This is my school?" he asked in amazement.
"No, sweetie, this is where I'll go to school. You're school is just down the road," I smiled at him.
"Can I help you?" a lady asked, as we walked into the main office.
The name plate on her desk read, "Mrs. Cope". She was a heavyset woman, in her mid fifties, with a bad dye job. I assume her orange-y pink hair was supposed to be red. I smiled at her as she made her way to the counter separating us.
"Yes, ma'am," I answered. "I'm Katherine Montgomery. We just moved to Forks. Can I pre-register for school.?"
Mrs. Cope looked at me questioningly. "Montgomery…Montgomery….Oh, you're Henry's girl aren't you?" she almost squealed.
"Yes, ma'am," I answered flatly.
"Is this your little one?" she asked looking down at Benjamin.
"No, ma'am, he's my brother. Our mother passed away, so we've moved in with our dad. Can I pre-register or not?" I was becoming a bit annoyed.
Noticing the change of my tone, she replied, "Sure honey, just fill this out for me."
"What grade?" she asked as she walked back to her desk.
"Senior, and my transcripts should have been faxed already." I answered.
When I was finished, I handed the form back to her. "What day does school start?" I asked.
"School starts September 2nd," she said as she handed me a folder. "Your student hand book, a copy of your schedule, and a map of the building are all in here. Let me be the first to welcome you. I hope you have a great year. If you need anything, just see me."
Benjamin and I left, only to repeat the same process at the elementary school. School started Monday, and I had so many things left on my "to do" list.
I noticed a "HELP WANTED" sign as I pulled into the parking lot of the small grocery store. I needed a job, but where would Benjamin stay while I worked? I'd just have to wait until things were a little more settled.
It wasn't long before we were back at Henry's. Benjamin helped me unload the groceries and household supplies we'd purchased.
"What's for dinner?" he asked.
Looking at the clock on the stove, I realized it after 6pm—past his normal dinner time.
"What would you like to eat?" I had a feeling I already knew.
"Pizza!" he exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Pizza it is." I searched the cabinet under the phone for a phonebook. Surely there was a Pizza Hut®, Domino's®, or something around here that would deliver. I honestly didn't feel like making another trip out tonight.
The movers arrived the next morning around nine. Benjamin and I spent the rest of the week and weekend, cleaning, sorting and preparing for school on Monday.
Sunday night, after Benjamin had been bathed and put to bed, I saw Henry for the first time. I was coming down stairs to finish a load of laundry when he walked through the back door, startling me. I let out a small scream.
"Sorry," he muttered, not looking directly at me.
"No, problem. Just wasn't expecting it," I replied nonchalantly.
I didn't see him again after our brief exchange.
