Standard disclaimer. No copyright infrigement is intended. All recognizable characters belong to SM. I am just having a wild imagination.

I am glad that I have some readers- it is really exciting. I have to go back to the work world in the morning so updates will be slower.

Chapter 3

I followed Rose and Charlie back to the city building. It was a little after noon. Charlie was going to call in someone to cover for Rose. The matchmaker song was floating through my head- you know...

"Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match..." anyways.

While waiting for Rose to change out of her work clothes, I made more small talk with Charlie. I found out that Jacob was married to Leah. His childhood sweetheart, they were expecting their first child in about three months. Charlie asked how old I was,

"I am turning the big 3-0 in about three weeks. You know its the new twenty." I kidded.

"I will have to remember that- the big 5-0 is?" he asked.

"Over the hill." I snorted.

It felt right. Comfortable banter between myself and another, crazy, who would have thought...

"Ready," Rose interrupted my train of thoughts. She had changed into jeans and a hoodie. She had also pulled her hair back in a ponytail, she looked great - but I was comforted that she could be 'normal' too. We said our goodbyes and walked out.

There was an outdoor shop across the road. Newton's was the name on the sign, the red neon one said open. Rose had told me earlier that this was the only place that had any type of decent clothing. I would have to wait until I could make a trip. Unfortunately, my clothing was not going to cut it here in Forks. My wardrobe was lacking in the warmth department, I had the pair of jeans I had on, a few pair of ratty sweats, two sweaters and a handful of sweatshirts.

We stepped into the store, immediately noticed by a slender guy with a Newton's polo on, he said,

"Well fancy seeing you here, Rose, I didn't think that we were worthy of your presence, much less your fashion tastes."

I don't know what came over me- I was lit. My face flushed, I felt a red haze wash over me.

"I don't know who in the hell you think you are..." I was winding up.

"Bella please, as if what this shit for brains thinks is worth your breath. He just has little man syndrome..." Rose interrupted me. I held up my hand to stop her.

"I am sure that Mike (reading the name embroidered on his shirt) here will gladly give up his commission to his coworkers now, since he has been busted." I pointed to the older man with glasses who had just come out of the storeroom in time to hear his, I assumed son, turn away sales. The man looked like his head was going to spin around.

"Ladies, I am sure that Jessica would be of much better assistance to you in your shopping endeavors." Mike Sr. said, when his face was returning to a more natural shade of red.

A dark haired girl who had way to much energy bounced over, she was like a Jack Terrier on speed, honest to God. I dismissed her quickly, I am a big girl I can handle picking out my own things. Rose hung out close by, I was surprised she wasn't pushy. She offered advice when she thought I needed it. I admit it was kind of nice.

I piled up my to be purchased. I knew that I didn't want to buy all of my things here but once that excitable little thing let me be. I found that they carried enough to get me through a few more weeks. Boot cut jeans, cords, sweaters, thermals, waterproof boots, nicer boots with some tread on them, thick socks, a light weight rain resistant jacket and a heavier winter coat all went to the counter. Thank God that they were a authorized Columbia dealer.

Rose and I had picked up a nice pace in our conversation. I found out that she was from Forks. Miss Homecoming Queen 1995. She was smart, and had a smart mouth with quick wit. She sat while I was trying on clothes. I found myself talking about things I had never talked about to anyone. She talked openly about her family. Jasper, her brother, was dating Alice. They lived in Port Angeles. He was in business and she had a small upscale boutique that sold everything from formal wear to casual. Rose had been dating Emmett for the past year. He worked in a local national park as a game warden. Rose had went to school in Seattle but returned home when her father had a stroke at a young age. She helped her mom with his care and worked at the jail. We both loved different styles of music and books. It was comforting to me.

We left the store after about an hour, taking my packages over to the truck, I noticed Rose was looking at with distaste.

"What? It has character?" I asked.

"I am glad your taste in clothes is better than your taste in vehicles." she dead paned.

"Wait till you see my taste in men." I retorted.

Where had that come from? I had not even thought about dating. In fact, the whole idea scared me shitless. I was never a flirt. As far as I was concerned my shop was closed. Those needs were meet when needed by BOB and a supply of C cell batteries. There was more to life than sex, much less meaningless one nighters. I had went out a few times with the other wives, but ended up being the sober one who sat back and watched them make asses of themselves.

It had started to rain again, we ducked into a little coffee shop for a much needed break. Munching on some homemade cookies and drinking cappuccinos we continued to talk. It was very strange to me to have a easy going conversation with someone. - much less someone that I had just met. We were talking more about my plans to look for a job when her phone rang. My Sharona blared from her Blackberry.

"Alice. Excuse me for a minute."

"Hey Al, I am sitting at The Coffee house with Bella. Ya that's who I was telling you about..."

I felt bad listening to her conversation; I excused myself to the restroom to give her a chance to talk. I looked like something the cat had drug in seriously. I needed to remember to ask Rose where she got her hair done at. My hair was having serious issues with the wet weather. I walked back out to our table, sat and resumed drinking my coffee.

"I'll ask her, no damn it I promise I will. love ya whore. C-ya"

Rose put her phone away in her Coach bag. I waited for her to situate herself, she took a long sip of her drink. Wait for it...3,..2...1...

"You wouldn't be up to a girls night out? Would you?"

Ummm, that would be a big negative. "Not yet. I still have lots to do; I have to finish unpacking and getting my house situated." I quickly explained.

"I figured. But you have to meet Alice. She won't take no for a answer. You thought Jessica was a hyper mess. Alice is worse in some ways but she means well. She is beautiful person."

"Maybe you both could come over some evening and we could hang out." I offered. I really think that I was having one of those brain vomit moments again. Diarrhea of the mouth.

"Hey you know what, I think that Alice is off on Wednesdays, I have some PTO that I need to take or I am going to lose it. We could come over in the morning and help where you needed us to, then we could take off and show you around this happening place." the last came with an eye roll.

"I don't need your help..."

"No I insist. Bella, I don't know much but I want you to know that I don't make friends easily. I have never taken off work to hang out with a total stranger. I would like to think that maybe we were destined to meet."

Shit. What do you say to that?

"Thanks. I just don't want to be anyone's charity. I have been the pity party for too long. Me being my own biggest fan..." I trailed off. I could feel tears starting to burn my eyes. What the fuck. I haven't cried forever. I thought I had forgotten how.

"I don't do charity. I think that Alice will actually be speechless when I tell her that one."

I still needed a few more things. We said our goodbyes and I headed over to the local shopping strip. It wasn't much but there was a Walmart and a Kohl's. It was getting close to 3:00 -I needed to hurry. I whipped the red beast into the closest space I could find and ran into Kohl's. It had been to hard for me to keep our bedding. It was a constant reminder that I was alone. I grabbed a bed in a bag, it even had curtains- this was my kind of shopping. I got some new sheets, and splurged on a down feather bed topper. I paid for my purchases and after running through Walmart like a mad woman I was thinking I was finally set.

I felt like I was replacing my life in a way. I had bought all new, a new toothbrush, different smelling soap and laundry detergent. It was time to head back to the garage. I had already made up my mind. I was getting the truck.

I turned the key and turned up the radio. Someone trying to tell me something, I swear.

Tell me what it takes to let you go...

I flipped that sucker off as fast as I could. I pulled into the garage lot. I heard a chime. It took me a minute to realize it was my phone.

"Hello"

"Hey its Rose, I wanted to let you know tomorrow is a go. Are you a early riser or no?

"Not so much a morning person."

"Alice and Jasper are coming in tonight to stay with Emmett and I. I will hold Alice up as long as I can but I am not making any promises." she chuckled darkly.

"that doesn't sound promising. I'll see you in the morning then."

"k bye!"

I folded my phone shut. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be happy or scared. It had been a long time since I had friends. I wasn't sure how to act.

The bells sounded again as I pulled the door open. Jacob was on the old desktop typing away.

"Hey" he said.

"Hi there. I am going to take her." I reached into my bag to grab my check book.

"Did you decide on the puppy?" he asked as I scribbled out a check.

"Actually I was thinking that with me going back to work soon now wouldn't be the best time. It would have to be home alone often and that isn't fair". I told him.

"Well that is a good enough reason. You can call us anytime if you need anything; I do all of Charlie's repairs on his houses."

I handed him my check- it was a starter but he didn't seem to mind. I was thinking to myself, the hell with Wives, this was Stedford Town.

"You can bring her back anytime if she starts giving you problems. Tires are new, engine rebuilt from the block up. heater is warm, there is no air as I am sure you noticed." he added ruefully.

"Thanks again." I looked back at him and smiled.

Oh my God, I smiled. I SMILED.

I. FUCKING. SMILED.

I just realized that I had pretty much been smiling all day. It's a wonder my face didn't crack. Maybe nice- ville was really not so bad after all. I walked back to the truck and got in. It was 80's night on the radio station. I think I could get used to this small town living thing at least they had good taste in music I thought to myself.

I pulled the truck up close to the house and after what seemed like fifty trips out to haul in my goodies. I ran up the stairs to change out of my damp clothes. The wet was never ending it seemed. I heated up a pot pie in the oven while unpacking my goodies. I would have to do some laundry tomorrow. I was not about to start that tonight. I felt like I had been training for a marathon, being gone all day. I got my dinner and walked into the living room. Sitting on the little window seat, as I ate, I reprocessed my day.

There was that chiming again. I jumped up and ran to the kitchen. I didn't" t know the number of course.

"Hello"

"Hey Bella, its Charlie. I was just checking in. I talked to Jake and he told me that you opted out of the dog idea."

"Yeah, I am going to start looking for a job next week. I should have a Washington State Nursing license in the next few weeks. I applied right before I moved."

"If you need anything feel free to call. There have been some reports of some wild animals getting into trash here locally. If I need to build you a container just let me know."

"Thanks. Umm, what kind of animals?" I wasn't sure I really wanted to know though.

"Just normal area wildlife. Coons are bad, but we have been known to see a few bear when the weather starts to cool off."

Great. Bears. Just Great.

I bit back a groan. "OK I will keep a eye out. Night."

"Night."

I closed my phone and took it with me as I walked up to my room. I didn't worry about making my bed up with the new things. This was a farewell of sorts I guess.

My last night with my past.

I looked at the picture beside my bed. It was of James and me in Italy, we had left the room once to explore. As much as I wished he was still here with me. I knew that he would not want me to be all alone.

Friendless.

When I closed my eyes I could almost feel him wrapping his arms around me.