Ten Feet Off the Ground

Chapter 2.


September 11, 1917.

Dear Journal,

As we near my birthday, the more frightened I get. I don't want it to be a big thing, but you know how my mother and father are. They hate that we can't do everything I want, because we're poor. But honestly, I'm happy with what we have.

Bella.

I pushed my journal away and helped my mom in the kitchen. We we're pretty busy today.

"Mom, why don't we just hire someone to help us?" I asked, rolling the dough.

"Can't afford it," she sighed, hastily mixing a bowl. I smiled at her sympathetically, and I heard the bells on the door ring from outside. I left the kitchen to the counter.

He was back.

I couldn't help but stare like a moron at him. He was beautiful. I blushed at my unladylike ways. I pretended to wipe down the counter, acting like I didn't see him walk in.

"Bella," I heard him say softly. I looked up and smiled shyly.

"Good morning Edward," I said to him, smiling. "This is a surprise, your mother didn't order anything…" Great, I was babbling.

Edward chuckled. "No. Not today. I just wanted to stop by. And perhaps a coffee?" His smile was dazzling.

"Of course. How would you like it?"

"Black, please." I nodded and started for the kitchen, nearly bumping into mom as she came out.

"Bella can you…" she turned and saw Edward. "Oh Edward!" she gushed. "Good morning! Nice to see you!" Edward smiled.

"Good morning to you to, Renee." Mom hated it when Edward called her Mrs. Swan; she preferred Renee.

Mom smiled. "I was just going to get Edward some coffee," I explained to mom. She nodded, and handed a basket of cookies to a gentleman sitting on a chair by the counter. He paid her, thanked her, and left.

"You guys seem really busy, maybe I can help?" Edward offered.

"Oh Edward, that's sweet of you, but I couldn't let you-"

"I insist," he said politely. "If you don't mind." I gulped.

"How darling of you," mom said, smiling. "Bella, show him how to work the register. And then, come in the back to help cook, please."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, and she headed back into the kitchen, a mixture of blueberry, cinnamon, and many other delicious scents hovering in the shop.

I turned to Edward. "Well, um," I cleared my throat. "You take orders using this notepad and pencil," I showed him. "And then bring it to the back, and we'll take care of the rest. To open the register you, uh…" I dropped the pencil I was holding. "Darn it," I muttered, and bent down to retrieve it, but another set of hands beat be to it.

The warm feeling of his touch didn't go unnoticed. I was stunned. It was like electricity flowing through me. He smiled and handed it back to me.

"Thanks," I murmured, blushing.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you look when you blush?" Edward stated simply. I was awed.

"Um," I blushed again for my stammering. "Maybe. I don't know. But thank you." he smiled again. "Well, anyway, you press this button, and I know you know how to count change…" Edward chuckled and I smiled.

"So that's pretty much it?" he asked, standing in front of the counter. I nodded.

"And thanks for helping," I told him.

"No problem. You guys are like family friends to me." I looked down at my shoes, blushing again.

"Oh! Your coffee; I almost forgot!"

Edward smiled. "That's okay. I really just came to see you." When he said that, my heart fluttered like a hummingbirds wings.

The problem is, I'm just too shy for a relationship. I know nothing about them. I've never courted with anyone, and I was too terrified to try. I just didn't want a broken heart. And I was afraid that no one would be patient with me.

It stinks being shy, but that's me.

I helped mom in the kitchen. Today was very different from yesterday. Business was booming, and it seemed like rush hour every hour. I saw my dad talking with Edward, and dad seemed to like him. Though, he was friends with Dr. Edward Masen, he seemed to like his son just as much.

"Edward's a pretty nice kid," dad said, coming into the kitchen. Mom smiled as my father kissed her cheek.

"Yes, he's such a darling," My mom said. "Bella, those are the guys you should be courting with."

Dad grunted. "Bella's not courting with anybody yet." Mom rolled her eyes.

"Bella's responsible, and turning 16 in two days, I trust her."

"Mom, that's not likely," I told her, shaking my head.

"Nobody's caught your eye yet?"

My thoughts immediately went to the boy out there. I smiled as I thought of how sweet he is. I would really like to get to know him…

"What's that smile for?" My mom asked, elbowing me. I chuckled and shook my head. "C'mon. I'm your mother. You can tell me." Dad gave me a look.

"It's no one," I said. Not entirely true. I wasn't really falling for Edward; I barely knew him. And like I said, I'm very shy…

The day flew by flawlessly. Edward was great at his temporary job. I occasionally helped him, just for an excuse to get out of the way of my mother's million questions and prying eyes. Just because I smiled…

Turns out, Edward was not only sweet, but smart, reliable, caring, and very funny. I don't think I've laughed so much before. He had a little sister who was 14, and an older brother who was 22, married and living in Chicago.

"I use to live in Chicago," he told me. I smiled.

"Really?" I said, my eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I've never been further east than Montana." Edward chuckled.

Montana is where my Grandma Swan lived.

"We visited her every Christmas before she died," I replied when the subject of my grandmother was brought up, my thoughts a million miles away.

"I'm sorry," Edward said, his brows knitting together in concern.

"It's fine," I said, snapping out of it. "I was remembering her. She was the best. She started this bakery, you know."

"Well I'm glad she did. The food here is amazing!" I blushed and thanked him, earning a laugh from him.

"Tell me more about you," I said, clearly fascinated.

"Well," he said. "I was born in Chicago in 1901. In June, actually. June seventh. My mother and father were of course, very young, but very much in love. We loved Chicago. I never understood why we left, but if was for Dad's job. I didn't like it here, but," he turned to look at me. "Forks is finally growing on me." He held my gaze for what seems like ages. I blushed again and looked down.

"Our family has always been very close. We stick up for one another. I love them to death."

"That's sweet," I murmured. He told me plenty of childhood stories, mostly concerning him and his siblings. He had me laughing until I cried.

"Wait," I said in between chuckles. "You made your sister believe there were sea monsters in the water when she was four, and you got in, scaring her half to death?" He was laughing as well.

"It was hilarious, Bella. You should've seen her face. That is, until I got in trouble." I shook my head, still chuckling.

"You're horrible," I teased. He smiled wider.

"We were young. And I was bored." We laughed again. "Tell me about you," he said when our laughter died down.

"Well," I sighed. "I was born in Seattle, Washington. My mom and dad were also young and in love. I was born on September 13, 1901 and-"

"Your birthday's in two days?" he asked, surprised. I smiled and nodded.

"But anyway, we moved to Forks when I was two. My Grandma Swan was the owner of this place. My mom's just like her, even though my dad is her son," I said, watching my mom sweep the floors and singing. "They both kept this place lively. When I was 12, my grandmother got sick. She was really old. She told me she'd be okay, and that it was her time to go, but I wasn't hearing it. I didn't want to lose her so young. But, near my 13 birthday, she passed, leaving the bakery to my mom and dad."

"I'm sorry Bella."

"Yeah. I wish you would've met her. She was the greatest." I also told him about my childhood, and how I was the only child, and preferred it that way. And that I loved to read and write.

"You like to read and write too?" Edward asked me, smiling. I nodded, smiling as well. "What don't we have in common?"

"I love music," I told him. "I grew up around it."

"Me too," he said, chuckling. "In fact, I play."

"You play? What do you play?"

"Piano."

"I'd love to hear sometime." He smiled again. "You know, I sing a little."

"Do you?"

"Mmhm," I said, playing absentmindedly with a strand of my hair. "Though I'm pretty shy about it."

"I'd love to hear you sing just as much as you'd love to hear me play."

"Maybe we can perform a duet," I joked, chuckling.

"That doesn't sound half-bad," he said. I rolled my eyes in amusement.

"She has the voice of an angel," my mom said, stepping behind the counter.

"Were you eavesdropping?" I asked mom, more amused than annoyed.

"Just a bit at the end," she admitted, unashamed. Edward and I laughed at her. She smiled and stepped back into the kitchen.

"Um Bella?" Edward asked, facing me. For the first time tonight, I saw nervousness in his eyes.

"Yes?" I whispered.

"I know it's way too early, but I'm sure my parents would love to have you over on your birthday. Would you mind coming? It's not that far a walk from here and…" he scratched the back of his neck, clearly nervous.

It was cute. "That would be nice," I told him. "I have to ask my parents first but-"

"Yes, yes, yes!" my mother said, bursting out of the kitchen. "She'd love to! Yes, she can go!" I groaned inwardly at my embarrassment.

Edward chuckled. "Well, I can come and get you whenever you want…do you want to meet here?"

"Um, okay," I said shyly. "Maybe around noon, I suppose?" I turned to my mom for her consent.

"That's perfect! You deserve a day off anyway." She smiled and headed to chat with some customers.

"Don't you just love my mom?" I asked sarcastically.

"She's really great. Funny and sweet."

"She likes you a lot. I can see why." I blushed furiously when I realized that I'd opened my big mouth…again.

Edward smiled at me. "I just love it when you do that. And I'm so glad we're friends."

Edward went home shortly before closing, and promised to visit next day. I felt like I was walking on air. Edward already felt like my best friend. I was humming and singing as I wiped down the tables, mopped the floors, and washed the dishes. I danced ahead of my parents while walking home. Once inside safe and warm from the coldness, I jumped into my journal.

Dear Journal,

Today was another good day. Edward and I are already friends. I can't believe I opened up to him like I did, but I am comfortable around him. Like I knew him my whole life. I practically did. But he's more than just a gentleman. He's caring and smart and sweet and we have so much in common. He's my best friend. And tomorrow, I'm going to reward him with the best cup of coffee ever.

Because he never got one today...

Bella.


Chapter 3 should be posted soon!