Disclaimer- I am not Stephenie Meyers. No copyright infractions intended to her or those artists who's songs I use.
I would really like a review. I am just writting this for my own kicks. But if you like it, let me know.
Chapter 2
I awoke to the sound of thunder. Rolling and rumbling in the distance, it was like a old friend had come to visit. Oh, how sweet.
It was Tuesday. I had my day already sort of planned. I needed to run some errands. Normal moving b.s. I had been living in Forks for thirteen days now, time to play house.
I rolled over in the queen sized bed that was calling my name to cover up my head and go back to sleep. Unfortunately, my alarm had other ideas. Banging my hand on the nightstand, I busted a blood vessel turning the damn thing off.
"Beautiful." I groaned. I walked to the bathroom to run some cold water over it. I brushed my teeth and gave a good look in the mirror. Scary how sometimes you wonder how you get to where you are in life sometimes. The same eyes looked back at me. Yet they were wary, cynical. My skin looked like crap. Hair was beyond help- it needed a good washing much less a trim. I turned on the shower as hot as it would go. Grabbing a towel out of the basket and pulling off the clothes from yesterday, I washed away the sweat from my nightmare.
More of the same, they always were. It had been almost a year since James had passed. The only thing that ever changed in my dreams was the fact that I was starting to lose his face in my dreams. A blur where he used to be.
I wrapped my towel around my body and walked back to my room. I had to get some shit done today. No ifs and or buts, the insurance from the Army wasn't going to make it forever and besides I needed to work. I needed to feel like I was normal. Whatever that was.
I grabbed a pair of jeans, my most favorite pair. They were like a security blanket in a way, a left over from the happy. Old and wearing thin on the back pockets they hung loosely on my hips. I had lost some weight, I grabbed a brown belt and my light blue Columbia sweater that was soft as butter. I went back into the bathroom blow drying my hair and running my chi through some of the fuzz to try to tame it into submission. I added some concealer to my dark circles. A few swipes of the pink and green mascara and I was done.
I walked down the stairs. I was shamelessly thankful for automatic coffee makers. I logged on to my laptop to check out the bank account. I had to supplement my wardrobe, get a new cell phone, and look for a decent car, all that fun stuff.
My new house was close enough to down town that I could walk to the shopping district. Meager as what it was. I had chose this small town, with hopes that small town living would be a nice change from the big town. I wasn't totally lost on the fact that I needed to pull myself out of this black abyss, before I was sitting in the bath tub slitting my wrists.
I grabbed my bag and locked the door behind me. I walked slowly down the oak lined trees. This was my first venture past the gas station on the corner that had all a girls needs. Chips, hot dogs, nachos. Diet coke. Jack. Not that he was my friend on a regular basis but the first few nights alone in the new house - he had been real good company.
I walked past the school zones. Most small towns had the same layout. Elementary, middle school, high school, football fields, non decrepit mini vans with soccer mom bumper stickers. I passed the humane society, hmm, now there way a thought, maybe a new friend. Preferably one that didn't talk. I didn't think my rental agreement had a pet clause. My new landlord Charlie was also the local chief of police. I had to pass by there on my errands I could just stop by. I made a metal route in my head.
He had been so nice to me. In his late 40's he had talked endlessly to me over the phone. Familiar with my current situation, he had given me the ins and outs of who I could rely on for sound advice on a new to me vehicle. I had a little over twenty thousand in the bank. Thanks to working all the doubles I was allowed and selling off the things I could before the move. The insurance for the army was invested in stocks and I really didn't want to touch it if I didn't need to.
Black's Garage was my first stop. I figured I could see what they had the was rebuilt. Charlie had let me know that the owners were close friends of his and they wouldn't screw with me just because I had boobs.
The row of jingle bells sounded as I opened the service door. I was sure that they were left overs from Christmas long ago.
"Yo, be there in a minute!" a muffled voice sounded after a clang. I think I scared some one. It was just a little after 8:00 am. The smell assaulted my senses. Grease, used oil, tires, burnt coffee, and carbon dioxide. I slid into a plastic covered chair, that I was sure was older than I was.
"Sorry about that," a tall man about my age said, as he walked through the garage entrance. He was wiping grease off of his hands with a blue towel. He was huge, dark skinned, a skin tight under armor shirt and jeans with holes on the knees. His hair was black and cropped close. He had sparkling brown eyes with little laugh lines at the corners. He had a platinum wedding band on.
" You must be Bella, I was wondering when I would meet you. I am Jacob Black, owner and local grease monkey." A easy smile crossed his face.
I was surprised for a second. I was not used to total strangers knowing my name. Charlie wasn't kidding when he told me that he would let them know I might be stopping by.
That almost had me feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.
" I need a car- as appealing as walking in the rain was I don't want to do it everyday." I grinned. See I could interact with humans. I hadn't forgotten after all.
" Charlie told me that you might be needing one. I have three that I kept on hand so you could have a choice." he replied back.
" Thanks, you really didn't have to do that if you had other buyers though." I quickly shot back.
" You might change your mind when you see them, but really it was no big. they aren't much to look at but I rebuilt them myself. I am the best here in town. Charlie told me and my dad what you were looking for. I am glad to be of help." He said with a small smile.
News travels fast in small towns, I could easily tell this was where people made casseroles for each other in times of need. Neighbors looked out for one another. Lawns were well kept. Kids played outside alone.
Maybe this was what I needed. I had been alone since I lost James. I had build a wall, not to keep others out- but to see who would climb over. No one succeeded. Not that anyone really tried. I wasn't ready to have friends in Phoenix. Always a loner till James, I had never been popular, never had a boyfriend - of course I had no family to speak of after my parents died. Maybe a great something or other out there some where, no one sent Christmas cards.
He walked around the counter, over to the stained coffee pot, pouring two cups and offering one to me.
"It is early in the season for it to be getting this chilly. We may be in for a long winter."
Great I had reduced him into talking about the fucking weather. Way to go with those outstanding social skills.
" yeah, That would just be par for the course for me, I don't do anything easy. " Snarky.
He chuckled. "Well lets go have a look."
He lead me through the garage. A huge lab lay on a worn rug in the corner. He rolled his brown eyes up at us as we passed.
"I think that I am going to look at the rescue center for a dog." I was making small talk. I was still trying to make nice with the human.
"You don't need to do that."
"oh, I guess that Charlie would let me have a pet." Remembering that Charlie had said that he was close friends with the Black's. I figured that Jacob was just letting me know that pets were a no go.
"No, I have a litter of six at home, you are more than welcome to have one. I just gave them their last shots and worming last night. They are all lab. Momma is at my house with my wife. Camelot, here is my guard dog." he finished with a small chuckle.
I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the generosity. I could feel the ropes of anxiety worming their way around my legs. I took a deep breath.
" I would feel bad just taking a pup, I can pay. But I would love to see them." I rushed out.
We had walked across a small gravel parking lot. There were three vehicles lined up next to five empty frames. There was a blue four door sedan, a older sports car and a older model red truck.
"How much for the truck?" I asked.
"Twenty five hundred. she has a lot of, umm, character." he looked over at me.
"I'll take it." it was me; used but not ready for the wrecker just yet.
"how about you drive it around for the day, see if you really like it, I close at 6:00, you can meet me here and then I can take you out to my house to see about that puppy." he looked me in the eyes. Try as I could to find one ounce of pity it just was honest to goodness nicety. It was amazing to me that people really did try to help one another.
"umm, thanks." was all I could say. He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket. the truck had dealer tags already on it.
"be safe and I'll see you later." he said as I was getting behind the wheel.
"k" I started her up. At the sound of the loud powerful engine I couldn't help myself I grinned. To my surprise the radio had been updated. I tuned it into a local station that I had found played the perfect mix of old and new. Joan Osborne started blaring, I couldn't help but to think that maybe this was divine intervention. Maybe God was one of us. I wasn't ready to believe that, though it did make me think. I had been off of work now for almost four months. Thinking was all I had.
I pulled out of the lot. I had spent sometime just sitting there, Jacob had walked back to the inside. I acquainted myself with all the knobs. Thankful that it was a automatic, it was also four wheel drive.
My stops were close together after that. I stopped by and got my new phone set up. I had only a home phone before. I wasn't sure that I would like having a phone on me all the time. But then again who would call me. I thought ruefully. The bank was relatively easy, just some signing of papers for the account transfers.
It was nearing lunch and I had decided to stop by and talk to Charlie. I found a parking spot on the street and paid my meter. There were lots of stores lined up and down the main road. I figured I could walk around for the remainder of the afternoon. The rain had stopped but a heavy fog filled the air.
I walked up the steps to the town hall. It housed a variety of offices, license, registration, jail. courthouse, public records. It smelled old and musty, like old papers that were mildewed. I walked up the wide stairs following the signs to the police holding station.
I opened the glass door to a small generic waiting area. There was a bell on the desk, I hit it. Jumping as the sound triggered a buzzing behind the glass window. The most beautiful blonde supermodel looking woman walked out of a partially closed door.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
" I am here to speak with Charlie." I told her.
"You are Bella, correct?" she said. It was more of a statement than a question.
"The one and only." I could already tell that she had heard about me. Charlie must have had a really swell time filling all the locals in on the poor widow. I just hoped it wasn't all just a pity party. I was looking forward to finding out who I really was. I know that I had grown; I just hoped it wasn't that I was going to have to walk around knowing that everyone knew me already. Or about me, for that matter.
Before I could answer properly, the door she had walked out of opened and Charlie emerged.
"Bella! What a nice surprise. I was just talking about you to Rose here." he said.
"Hi," I mumbled. She was very intimidating in her beauty. Bitch.
There was not a hair out of place, she wore a trim pin striped pants suit, make up was subtle but perfect. I was feeling like a slob.
"Nice to meet you, as Charlie said I am Rose- Rosalie Hale. I am Charlie's assistant." She had walked around to the heavy door and pushed it open for me. I walked into the main part of the office.
"I was wondering if you had eaten lunch." There I spit it out. I was looking at Charlie when I spoke. I had wanted to get to know Charlie more. He had seemed very genuine during our phone conversations and when I had meet him at the house with the movers we hadn't had a lot of time to talk. I was busy directing the placement of my few belongings.
"Sure, Rose and I were just getting ready to go out and grab a bite."
"Oh, well if this isn't a good time then maybe we can just talk on the phone later." I wasn't sure I was ready to make nice.
"Nonsense." Rose interrupted. She was giving me the stink eye. What the hell...
I wanted to talk to Charlie, don't get me wrong. I just wasn't sure about her. She seemed a little cold. But maybe I was just imagining things. I was becoming determined to move out of my personal comfort zone.
"If you are sure..." I trailed off. Just giving up.
They got their jackets off the coat rack hanging on the wall. There was a diner just next door. Again typical.
We walked in silence, when we entered the small diner I felt like I was thrown back into time. There were old men sitting at the counter drinking their coffee, gossiping or reading the paper.
We sat down in the back corner booth; a waitress took our orders of the special of vegetable soup and grilled cheese. I thought my stomach might just revolt from some real food. I had been living on junk for the last week.
We made small talk at first. I filled them in on my morning and what I had gotten done. Rose nodded appropriately and gave me some good pointers on where to find some clothes to tide me over till I could make a trip to Seattle. I gave Charlie my phone number and I was shocked when Rose asked if she could add it to her phone also. I got their numbers. We talked about the town and I actually felt myself smiling numerous times during our lunch and not once I swear to you was I sarcastic. A big bonus was that Charlie was really great guy all around - the kind of guy I wished that had been my dad. Wow where did that come from. I had lost it. I just knew it. This was not like me. I did not make friends, I didn't make small talk. At least I hadn't for a really long time. It was disconcerting.
Rose had mentioned that her fiancée was in town, they were going to go out this weekend. She gave me a pity invite. Of course being deprived for any sort of companionship for so long on my self imposed ban on people in general, I didn't accept although a small, mind you very small piece of me wanted to accept.
The hour passed quickly. I realized that they needed to go back to work and I needed to finish my errands. Charlie had agreed to let me have my dog. I was ecstatic I tell you!
"Rose, why don't you take the afternoon off and go with Bella."
Charlie say what?!
"That's OK- I am not much of a shopper and it makes me very grumpy." I interjected.
"Bella, I would love to tag along, if you would let me."
Drat. Where these people for fucking real? It almost felt like I had stepped into some third dimension of Nice-ville. I was waiting for the body snatchers. See there, my cynical side was just laying in wait for the opportunity to expose its self.
So what could I say to that? You tell me.