Chapter 2: Fork in the road
My truck idled loudly as I sat at the stop sign. The road ahead of me split into two. One would take me directly to Charlie's, where I would be safe from any rejections. The other led straight to La Push, where my fate would remain undecided. My eyes darted between the two options. I gripped my steering wheel, clenching..unclenching..clenching….the slippery roads taunting me, each glistening from the reflection of the street lights above. Each beckoning me their way…HONK HONK! I jumped as I glanced in my rearview mirror to headlights flashing urging me to go. I quickly hit the gas and swerved my truck to the left…toward La Push. The sky before me was transforming from its safe black night, to a light shade of amber. Dawn was approaching and I barely touched the gas buying myself time and excuses; its too early for house calls; Jake was probably patrolling all night; he needs his sleep…I continued to weave down through the heavy blanket of the surrounding trees before I emerged into the sun and the coast line shimmering in the distance. A large wooden sign staked in the ground read " La Push Indian Reservation" and I gulped loudly.
The sleepy little village was nestled into the side of the mountain and each roof was poofing out clouds of grey smoke from their chimneys. My heart caught when a hundred yards away, two tall bronze boys walked toward me, each with a surf board tucked firmly under their arm. I halted my truck and began to panic…I'm not ready for this..this cant be it…I closed my eyes and tried to breath… I opened them and squinted as I realized they were both wearing wet suits. Due to Jakes recent climb in body temperature, he wouldn't have any need for a wet suit. They came even closer, and passed brusquely by my truck nodding politely in my direction before heading down to the waters edge. I watched them in my rearview as my heart regained it normal rhythm. Geez, they all look so damn alike from a distance. I focused again on my target: The small red house at the end of the road. From here it looked so amiable, so harmless. I inched closer and closer, cursing my fucking ancient truck and its rumbling engine. They probably heard me coming from the stop sign in Forks. In a childish effort to save the remaining seconds that lay before me from discovery, I turned the key in the ignition and coasted up to Jake's house. With the truck in park I sat in silence and listened to the sound of my roaring heart. The ringing in my ears became defining and I tried to swallow the butterflies that flitted up from my stomach and into my throat. My forehead began to bead with sweat as I stared at the ominous front door. I took a deep breath, " He needs this Bella, he deserves this," I reached for the handle and lifted it. As soon as my shoe hit the earth and it crunched beneath me, I looked up to see Billy rolling down the ramp toward me. I stood frozen for a moment and stepped around my door shutting it behind me, bracing myself for the onslaught I was sure was coming. Billy curtly nodded once, and then slowly the corners of his mouth pulled up into a smile that read 'Welcome Home'. This was exactly the encouragement I needed. The tingling in my limbs ceased and I smiled back gratefully.
"Bella, it's good to see you here. We've all missed you so much. Jake will be thrilled you came. He's inside, 'sleep. Go on in, make yourself at home. Ill be back later." I nodded, not really able to find words. I didn't deserve such a gracious welcome. Billy began to push himself away from me.
I turned to watch him and cleared my throat.
" Thanks Billy…for everything" for not hating me, for keeping your son from going to pieces, for allowing me to make amends….I hoped he got my meaning. He must have because he stared at me, not accusingly, but fondly, and smiled. There was no turning back now. The front door creaked and shut stubbornly as I quietly entered the house. It still smelled same. The familiarity blanketed itself around me and warmed my insides.
I made my way through the house, each step bringing with it memories of a simpler time. Jake's door was closed and I laid my ear to it hearing is gentle snore. I smiled despite myself. God I love that sound. Jacob lay soundly asleep with his head at the opposite end of the bed. A large green pillow was tucked underneath his chin, and it seemed as though he fell asleep watching TV. . All worry and angst erased from his perfect face as soft rumbles erupted from his chest. For the first time I realized the burden he carried, of being forced to protect a world beyond our own, on his strong shoulders. A thin blue sheet draped across his backside, was all that was separating me from his naked form. The gentle hum from the t.v. filled the room. I debated internally whether or not to stay for him to wake; more specifically to stay in his room. It was hard to tear myself from the scene of beauty that lay...well..naked before me. But it was for the best. I slowly backed out of the room, never removing my eyes from him, and made my way to the couch. Waiting would be agony.
Numbly, I flipped through the channels on the small TV, never really paying enough attention to stop on one. The light of the now afternoon sun streamed in through the open window, along with sounds of the neighboring residents enjoying their Saturday. The movement from down the hall stirred me from my thoughts. My insides turned to mush as I listened intently to each creak of the floor boards from Jakes heavy walk. Closer and closer came the footsteps; harder and harder beat my heart… until Jake leisurely came into view.
------A/N: Well?? Yay or nay? Let me know! Please throw any ideas my way!