Blood Amongst the Roses – Chapter 9: Phone Calls

Chapter 9 - Phone Calls

I wasn't prepared to move, every muscle in my body ached. I silently cursed Alice's name and I ambled into the kitchen to see Charlie putting on his jacked and gun belt.

"Morning Bells. Sorry about last night. Tonight may be the same." He informed me sadly.

"It's okay dad. So you haven't found whom or what you're looking for?" I asked trying to sound interested.

"Fourteen year old went on a hike and didn't come home three days ago. We've searched the neighboring hiking grounds. No trace of him." Charlie frequently tuned out the world, as I often did, but when it came to work, he was wise spoken, and verbose as an police chief from a large city.

"That's terrible. I sure hope you find him." I said furrowing my brow in concern.

"Me too Bell's, me too." he waved over his shoulder and walked wordlessly to the cruiser.

I grabbed a poptart and nibbled on it for a moment before losing my interest and throwing it in a bag in the freezer.

Three days, no work. I was definitely too sore to even consider calling Alice. I was certain she would throw some form of shopping, or hiking at me. My poor body simply could take her enthusiasm two days in a row.

I went to my room and grabbed my cell phone. A christmas gift from Phil, I could easily get my email on it. I had twelve unread messages in my inbox, two from my best friend from California, Lisa. And ten from my mother.

Knowing Lisa wait I looked at the messages from my mother.

Bella, She wrote:

I know you've got to get settled, but don't forget your dear old mom. I'm waiting to hear all about work, and Charlie.

Mom

The typical mom message, but as I read on her messages became increasingly impatient, by the fifth she was already using my full name, by the tenth she resorted to threats of coming to Forks to make sure I was alive.

Isabella Marie,

I'm sure you're very busy, but you're making Phil and I crazy. If you do not email me, or call me, I swear to you I will buy myself a plane ticket and track you down!

Call me!

Mom

No idle threat, I was sure she'd do it. I quickly dialed her cell number and waited for her to answer.

"BELLA?" She yelled into the mouth piece.

"Ouch, yes mom it's me."

"Why didn't you call? Or email? We've been so worried!"

"Really mom, I don't think even you can still believe that there's anything dangerous in Forks. With me here I may well be the biggest threat this town has ever known."

I heard Phil chuckle and knew my mom had put me on speaker phone.

"Hey Phil." I said.

"Hey Bella, sorry about this. You know Renée, she's been a mess not knowing anything."

A hiss, and a thud, followed my a soft "Ow" sent the image of my mother punching Phil's shoulder.

"How's Forks honey? And your new job? Is Charlie doing okay? Have you gone to see the Blacks? I heard Sarah died. Those poor kids." she rambled.

"Whoa, whoa, mom slow down. Forks is… Forks. It's cold, and wet, and green. My new job is amazing, my boss has 5 adopted kids my age, his younger daughter Alice has kind of become my best friend."

I took a breath and ran my finger through my hair. "Charlie is doing great, he's been really busy the last couple of days, Kitsap country needed Search and Rescue help. And Billy and Jacob where here watching the Mariners game when I arrived."

"Poor boy, how is he. You know you and I left right after he turned three months, such an adorable baby. All sunshine all the time. What about the twins how are they?"

"Well," I started trying to remember the small bits of information I had heard from Charlie "Rachel is attending U-Dub, and I think Rebecca is married and living in Hawaii now." That was all I could remember.

"Really, they're not that much older than you. Goodness. So… are there any guys out there?" I knew what she was angling for, but even as Edward Cullen's god-like face entered my mind, I decided to play dumb.

"Mom, there are guys everywhere moving to Forks isn't going to make them all vanish, or come out in droves!"

Renée was quicker "Bella, you know what I mean, come on I'm dying to know! Anybody caught your eye."

Yes, I wanted to say, I have been handed my very own God. But he doesn't like me at all. In fact he looked as though he'd prefer me as a sacrifice rather than his virgin queen.

"No mom, I haven't really had time off until today. No chance to even meet anyone." I wasn't good at lying, but this was at least a half truth.

"Oh, well. You will let me know when you do meet someone alright?" she pressed.

"You'll be the first to know, if Alice doesn't get it out of me first." I said with a laugh. Knowing Alice, she'd probably set me up with someone.

"Tell me about this Alice." My mom continued.

"Actually mom, I've got a few things I need to do today. And if I tell you everything now, there won't be anything to tell next time we talk." I didn't want to continue this conversation any further. I just knew she would find a way to make Edward's name fall from my lips. I wasn't prepared for that just yet.

"Okay, well we love you Bella, and if you want to come home…"

"She's got a good job up there Renée, lets not press her return if she's happy." Phil reprimanded.

"Thank Phil. Anyway I have to run. Love you both, talk soon. Bye!" I hung up before either one of them could continue.

With a sigh I threw my phone into my rarely used purse, changed into a pair of jeans and a bulky green sweater. I ran to the kitchen a grabbed a few twenties from the Food Money jar Charlie had set up.

I grabbed my keys and left for the Thriftway.