Finally a main character comes into play, I know some of you have been wondering about that. This is an alternate universe story so I did have to spend some time developing my lead female character. Enjoy Granny Bell. The Cullen's will start making their return next chapter.
As always Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. I just get to play with her story. Thanks for reading this and please leave reviews to let me know what you think, Even if it is not so great.
Going Home
As the limo speeds down the highway between Seattle and the little town of Forks I lean my head up against the darkened glass and watch the trees fly by. I love this part of the world, so silent, so strong, a so eternal. Not much has changed since I was a little girl. The size of Seattle has expanded by a few miles but once outside the city it's still the same. The trees still wear their blankets of ivy; the rocks still covered with moss. I remember the first time I saw these trees with my Granny. My first solo trip here. I remember telling Granny that these trees are just like me. They like to snuggle up under blankets. Her laughter had roared through the car for a full ten minutes. A smile crosses my face at the memory of how confused I had felt at that moment. I had shared what I thought was a very accurate observation and my Granny had laughed at me. Within a few days however I had figured out that Granny laughed almost as much as she breathed. She is one of those people who life's sadness just can not touch. She is amazing. Granny has made this place my home. It was with mixed feelings that I had returned to my parents, the stress of mom's illness, and dad's moods.
Less than six months later I had returned. Mom was gone, Dad was unreachable, but Granny and the town of Forks had embraced me with open arms. It is to those open arms that I eagerly return now. My best memories have been made here in these forests; I have grown into the person I am because of the peace of these quiet woods and the love of the small town.
"Miss, I need to pull over in Port Angeles to fuel the car. Is there anything there you would like to see? We are running ahead of schedule by about half an hour." The driver asks. They're the first words he had spoken to me the entire drive.
"Actually I would love to stop and get lunch at Mc Donald's." The driver cringes a little, obviously not a fan of the good old golden arches. "There are no fast food places in Forks and we will not likely be making a trip into Port Angeles during my stay. Gotta get my fix while I can."I laugh.
The smile on his face is genuine this time. "A grease junkie hu?"
"We all have our addictions, Mc Donald's fries are mine." I wonder how far this break in silence will go on. "Let me guess yours is? Hmm' I know, TOFU!" I tease thinking it would actually be nice if Mc Donalds adds some more vegetarian options to their menu.
"HA, I think not!" His booming laughter fills the car. "No I am afraid I am more of a steak and potatoes man."
The silence resumes after our brief conversation ends but it has changed. It is no longer a solitary silence. We stop for fuel at the gas station closest to the highway and slowly pull through town toward the only Mc Donald's in a 100 mile radius. For the first time during our drive my eyes are met with real change. McD's is close to the only movie theater in the same distance radius, however on the other side of the road all buildings have been bull dozed and a huge structure is being built. Construction vehicles are everywhere, a swarm of workers busy with their labors. A few heads lift as our limo passed but soon return to their work.
"I wonder what they are building. That is going to be HUGE!"
"Maybe a new hospital? There are definitely enough wings for one." The driver suggests. Pulling into the Mc Donald's parking lot a giant blue sign with clouds in the background and golden lettering catches my attention. Coming Soon Angel's Haven Mall.
"I guess Port Angeles has grown quite a bit since my last time through if they are building a mall that big. I wonder when it will be finished" I wonder to myself.
"Not for a while by the looks of it." The driver answers.
We walk into Mc Donald's together and approach the counter to order. After ordering and paying for our food we find a table in the middle of the restaurant, sitting across from eachother.
"May I ask you a question?" He asks somewhat hesitantly.
I smile and hold up a finger pointing to my mouth. I finish chewing my first bite of fries as he smiles nodding his head in understanding. I swallow my bite taking a drink of water swishing it around in my mouth a little to make sure there is no residue when I speak "Sure."
"What is a kid like you doing taking a two plus hour drive in a limo? I don't mean to sound rude, but the only time I have given kids your age rides is to prom. Limos seem a bit excessive don't you think."
So that's why he is so standoffish even though he seems friendly enough. He must think I am some spoiled little rich girl. "Actually I was expecting a taxi myself. The University of Seattle is responsible for my mode of transport today. My Granny Bell had offered to come pick me up but they said all transportation was part of the contract." I realize by the stunned look on his face that this does not answer anything. "I played in a concert for them last night." I try to explain further without embarrassing myself.
"Wow that's quite a thing for a kid your age isn't it? You're what a senior in high school?" He asks with a shocked look on his face.
Why does everyone think I am older suddenly? "Actually I am technically still a sophomore here, but school ended a week ago back home. I am sixteen."
"Wow, and you're already signing contracts with universities! My daughter is your age and all she can think about are boys, what car she is going to buy, and when she can go to the mall next." He laughs.
I really do not want to continue this conversation any further. I'm only too aware of what an oddity I am. I have never really fit in with kids my age. Not since I was nine at least. I have a few friends, true friends, but they too are outcasts. His comparative statement about his daughter just drives home the fact that I will never be a regular kid. I will never fit in completely, not even in a little town like this. His phone rings saving me from any more questions.
"Hello. -- Yes honey-- I know I said that but is your report done yet? -- No--has your mom looked over it yet? -- Oh I see. I guess so but make sure you are home by six. --the report better be finished tonight or you will loose all privileges for this weekend." He hangs up the phone and shakes his head smiling.
"Like I said all she thinks about is when can she go to the mall next." He stands up to throw his empty containers away. I follow him to the trash cans and out the door.
"I 'm ready to go home now please." Unable to keep my sadness from seeping into my voice just a little I head to the rear door lowering my head.
"Then off we go." He replies giving me a concerned fatherly glance. "You don't have to sit in the back if you don't wish to you know."
I smile at his kindness. "I think I may just fall asleep anyway. My week has been eventful and I'm kind of tired." Climbing into the back seat I push the button to raise the privacy glass between us. I hope he won't be offended by this but I can not stand to hear anything more about his daughter. I lay my head back as a wave of melancholy overwhelms me.
I awaken as the car slows to a stop. Looking out the window I see we're in Forks. A smile spreads across my face as I gaze around. Change may be happening elsewhere but everything is just as I remember it here. Granny always says nothing ever changes in Forks. I can easily imagine that this is exactly how everything looked forty some years ago when she first moved here. That thought reminds me of the mystery I hope to solve this summer during my stay.
My outlook brightens as we pass all the places that are so familiar to me. The Thriftway where Granny does all her shopping, the police station, the small community hospital that Granny visits so often. I am consumed with giggles as I remember our many, many trips to the emergency room throughout my summer vacations here. Graceful is one adjective that will never be used to describe Granny; in fact I have never met anyone more accident prone. We pass Fork Christian Church; the small church holds many fun memories. I have enjoyed vacation bible school there for the last eight years. The most recent years I have lead music for the program since I am now too old to be a participant. I love to watch the kids dance to the fun tunes I play on the church's baby grand piano. The piano needs a tune up badly but it seemed I am the only one who notices that small detail. I remember needed to call Ms. Esham the children's pastor and see how I can help with VBS this year.
Passing the high school I am tempted to ask if we can stop to say hi to Gran. She has been the principal here for a couple of years. She loved working at the elementary school but when they could not find a suitable candidate for the position at the high school she had been asked to consider moving schools. She found she really enjoys working with teens, and she is great at what she does. The students respect her and have affectionately nick named her Ms Bell. She does not mind the usage of her nick name by the students, in fact her face lights up every time we run into a student around town and they call her that. Like I've said many times before Gran is amazing! She knows every student by name. She knows their parents, where they live, and what their interests are. The percentage of students who go on to college from Forks High has nearly doubled since Gran took the principal position here. I wish I were a student here.
The limo moves slowly down the highway past the school and out of town limits. Excitement starts filling me the further out of town we go. Granny Bell's house is about twenty minutes outside of town, where the 101 highway dead ends. I love the isolation of her house. The woods are all mine here. Except for the long serpentine dirt drive to the meadow surrounding Granny Bell's house the woods grow wild and untouched. I roll down the window to smell the scents of home. Breathing deeply a sense of peace washes over my soul.
Jumping out of the car before it had stopped rolling completely I run through the meadow with wild abandon. I'm home. Spinning with my arms I wide taking in everything around me. The perfect circular shape of the meadow so perfect that only God could have made this arrangement. The breeze blowing around me swirls through my hair carrying in its' wake the fragrance of the meadow itself. An earthy scent, the moistness from the ground mixing with the pollens from the trees around the border and the flowers growing wild in the field, a slight undertone of moss barely detectable, I inhale greedily. This place fills my soul with peace and energy at the same time. Music fills my mind as I delight in my surroundings. Yes this is home!
"Can I just put you things on the porch then?" What! Oh, the chauffeur, I forgot all about him. I can be such a ditz sometimes. I became so overwhelmed by my joy at being home that I had forgotten how I had even come to be here.
"Oh sure thanks. And thank you for bringing me home, I have enjoyed meeting you. I am sorry I was not better company."
He smiles lighting up his whole face. "Kid seeing you be so happy to be home is worth the drive. It is nice to see there are still some true small town kids. Good luck with your music and the college thing." With that he turns to climb back in the limo. Using the turn about in front of Granny's house he drives away.
Turning my attention back to my meadow I rejoice being home. Sitting where I am I simply enjoy the music of the wind in the tall grasses, the birds singing in the trees, the buzz of insects near me, and the sounds of small animals as they make their ways though the woods and tall grasses. These sounds are more beautiful than any symphony ever created by man. I lie back and close my eyes so I can focus only on the sound of God's orchestra.
My face is hit by water. I glance around me to see where it's coming from. Dark clouds have moved in replacing the lighter cloud cover from earlier. I look around me trying to guess how long I have before the deluge comes; I do not want to go inside just yet. My meadow is always so peaceful it breaks my heart to go in. Granny's car is in her driveway; my bags are no longer on the front porch. I decide I need to go see Gran anyway. I have missed her as much as I have missed this place. As I walk slowly toward the house the sky opens up with a fury. Slowing my step I spin in the rain my arms raised over head. Even the rain carries the scent I love more than any other in the world, the scent of Forks.
Walking in through the front door happily dripping wet smiling from ear to ear I yell, "Granny I'm home!"
A squeal of excitement meets me from down the hall! I follow the sound to the kitchen. Granny Bell is covered in flour as she runs to me. Our tight embrace lasts a long time. Neither of us cares how messy the other is. We are both just so thrilled that I am home. The months I spent with Dad seem way to long this time. As I hug Granny I realize I do not want to leave again. I want to stay right here. I will have to figure out a way to make that happen. Going back to Chicago in the fall simply fills me with dread.
Granny takes me by both hands and pushes me back a little so she can look me over from head to toe. Her laughter fills the kitchen. "My little Lenai, you are growing into such a beautiful woman." I laugh with her, remembering the marks we have made every year on the doorway between the kitchen and living room, charting my growth compared to Granny's height. Every year Granny comments about how much closer to becoming a lady I am getting. My ultimate goal as a child had been to be bigger than her. A sheepish grin crosses Gran's beautiful face. "Are you to old to let me make another mark?"
With a flourish I do not feel, I roll my eyes at her suggestion. "Oh Gran! What would my friends say if they saw it?"
Her mournful brown puppy eyes plead with me as she pouts whispering "Please."
"Fine." I exhale, "But we are not writing the date!" I really don't care. I know it makes Granny Bell happy, and I will do anything to insure her happiness. I still have to tease her a bit.
Standing tall against the wall I smile up at Granny Bell and hand her the pen. She smile as she makes her mark. After the mark is made I turn to see the difference from last year.
"Well Granny Bell, you win" A questioning look forming on her face. " I will never be as tall as you are" I laugh pointing out the four inch difference in our heights.
Granny Bell reaches out holding me close and ruffling my hair. "Welcome home shorty, I have missed you so much." I breathe deeply; Granny's aroma has always been one of my favorite things about her. The floral scent is still there mixing with her strawberry shampoo. A flood of memories come pouring back, Granny holding me in her lap reading me bed time stories, letting me brush her hair and style it terribly, lying beside me as I burn with fever, and holding me letting me cry when I can no longer hold the tears back.
Granny pulls away after a couple more minutes. "Go upstairs and get changed. You're dripping on my floor." She chides me playfully. "I put your bag upstairs and your violin in the music room. Oh and UPS brought by your boxes today."
"Oh good, I only packed a couple of outfits with me, I was hoping my boxes would get here soon." Dad has insisted on sending the majority of the things I need this summer by UPS instead of letting me just pack them into suitcases and bring them with me on the plane. This is the first time I have not been met at the airport by Granny and come straight here. He's worried my luggage might get lost, or no one would help me get my things loaded and to the hotel. Dad can be a bit overprotective. "I will be down in a minute Gran." I turn and bound up the stairs.
After changing my clothes, towel drying and running a brush through my soaking wet hair I head back down stairs. Granny Bell is at the counter between the fridge and the stove. "So how was school today?" I ask leaning against the fridge.
She giggles a bit before answering. I guess I'm being unintentionally funny again. "Oh it was okay MOM" she jokes. "Seriously though, it was a fabulous day. The kids and teachers are all getting so excited over prom next week. The gym is closed for the rest of the week while a team of painters give it a face lift. No more hospital green walls. You know I think it is still the same paint from when I was a student." She laughs again at some private thought. "We have filled the math teacher position for next year, and I think we have narrowed down our applicants for the shop class teacher to two. Now if only I could find a new office assistant. I am going nuts trying to run the entire office by myself. I haven't been able to walk the halls and chat with the students or teachers in three weeks. I know it's selfish of me to complain, considering the situation, but old Mrs. Carney was my right hand. I never realized how much she does to keep the school running smoothly." Mrs. Carney had fallen and broken several bones including her hip three weeks ago. Her doctor informed her she would not be returning to work again, he insisted she retire. After all the woman is over eighty. I laugh as a picture of her husband fighting with her to keep her from working forms in my head. I can not picture Mrs. Carney ever sitting back and watching soap operas all day.
With almost another month to go before the school year is over in Forks I know Granny Bell needs help. An idea quickly forms in my mind. "What if I come and help out with the paperwork and phones Gran?" I offer before taking time to consider what my offer may lead to. Oh oh maybe I should have thought about that one more. It would look kind of strange to have a kid who should be sitting in a classroom by Forks calendar helping out in the office instead. But from the look on Granny Bells' face I could tell she likes the idea.
"Oh Lenai you would actually do that for me?" She grabs me in a quick tight hug. "I think that is a marvelous idea. You have spent enough time hanging around in the office with me throughout the years I bet you could run the place. And of course all the teachers absolutely love you! I don't think anyone will have an issue with it." She pauses for just a moment seemingly trying to decide if she should say something further, "And then I don't have to worry about you being here all alone every day for the next three and a half weeks."
"Granny Bell," I reply exasperated, "You know I don't feel the need to be around people all the time. Anyway I love hanging out around the house." I sigh realizing it sounds like I am now arguing against my own idea. "But I really do like to spend time with you at work, and it will give me something to do during the day besides wear the strings off my violin and the enamel off the piano keys." I laugh, these being Gran's two favorite warnings for the last seven years.
She joins in with my laughter as she recognized her own favorite phrase. We work together to make a salad and sit at the table to enjoy our meal. Bowing my head for grace I give thanks for the gift of being here with Gran. Granny waits till it's obvious that I'm done with my silent prayer before she begins eating. My faith is something Granny Bell has never understood, but she has always been supportive of me, even driving me to any church function I have wanted to go to while visiting her.
"So when do you want to start?" She asks.
"Can I come in with you tomorrow? Or do you have to clear it with the teachers first?"
"I really don't think they will mind. They'll be happy to get their copies done for them again, and also to not have to answer the phones in their classrooms when I can't get to it in the office in time. Oh, and you can enjoy lunch with the students if you like. You can use the sound studio in the music room while you wait for me to finish up after school." This thought excites me more than any other. The school had won a grant last year to have a professional sound room and recording studio installed. How the school was chosen to receive the grant from an unknown recording company is still a mystery.
Excusing myself from the table I rinse off my dishes placing them in the dish washer. "Granny Bell, if you don't mind I think I am going to go up to my room and read for a while. I'm exhausted. I'll see you in the morning. Love you."
"Love you too sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning. I'm glad you're here!"
Grabbing a very dilapidated copy of Wuthering heights off Gran's bookshelf in the living room I wander up the stairs. The rain doesn't take long to lull me to sleep after I'm tucked under the covers. Granny's book falls to the floor open as I roll over dreaming of home, dreaming of my forests.