Author's Note: So I've had this idea for awhile, and I've been mapping it out. Let me know what you think!


The sun was just beginning to set, the sharp horizon in the distance cutting it in half. The clouds around it were lit up, bright pinks and peaches bleeding out around the edges. The little patio around me glowed, like some ethereal dreamscape.

Holy shit, this is good weed.

I rolled my eyes at myself, finally looking away from the sunset and back to the grinder I'd been holding for who knows how long. Shaking my head, I twisted off the cap and dumped the ground up flower onto the tray. Humming quietly along to the music coming from my phone, I let muscle memory take over, dumping the flower and spreading it down the unraveled and emptied grape Swisher wrapper. I stuffed this one a little extra, mostly because I was expecting my mother to pop up any moment now.

I was just licking the edge, beginning to press down when she stuck her head out the door.

"There you are!" She smiled. "Oh, and what excellent timing!" She sang the word 'timing' and practically danced out of the back door, slamming it shut with her hip. My harebrained, erratic mother followed no schedule known to man, but she could always be counted on showing up within minutes of me or Phil rolling one.

"It's like you've got some crazy sixth sense, Mom."

"Oh Bella." She sighed dramatically and sat down across from me. "You'll understand when you're old like me and your hands hurt."

I snickered and lit the blunt, taking a few good puffs before I passed it to my mother.

"You're not gonna be able to smoke like this at Charlie's," she pointed out after a few hits herself.

I nodded, reaching out to take the blunt back.

"Are you absolutely sure this is what you want to do?" she asked finally. Her voice was raw, I could hear the tension in it.

"Mom." I exhaled and reached forward to put out the blunt. "Everything's gonna be fine. I'm okay, really." I smiled. "I want to go to Forks. I think the change of scenery is just what I need."

She stared at me for too long before she finally returned my smile.

"You know I'll always only be a call away."

I nodded.

"I know. Now stop getting mushy on me. I can't take this on the plane and I am not leaving you and Phil all my good stuff."

My mom laughed and pushed herself up from the table.

"I'm gonna go get started on supper then."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm gonna order the pizza," she clarified.

I snickered.

"That makes more sense." I lit the blunt, inhaling deep again. "Get cheesy bread!" I called out, coughing and sputtering.