Chapter 5: Learning

Sue dropped me off at the house and helped me carry my bags in. She had to leave to go work, so it was the first time I was alone in the house. Didn't bother me much, just a new place that I needed to get used to, again. I carried my bags upstairs to put my stuff away before I started on anything else.

Sue helped me buy a whole new wardrobe. She described the shirt or pants to me and I decided if it was me or not. Needless to say, Sue knew me pretty well considering I bought just about everything she picked out. I could see myself getting along with her and doing shopping trips, something I never had with my mom.

I hung my clothes or put them in the dresser then decided I would start learning the house. I would be here awhile so I needed to do something.

I left my stick in my room and counted the stairs again, using the railing for support. I decided to start in the living room. I felt for every little table or piece of furniture that was there. From what I felt, dad hired someone to decorate for him. There is no way Charlie Swan has this much decorating sense. It was nice, though. His big recliner, a large cushion sofa and end table between the two, sat on the one side, with a large coffee table in the middle. I made my way to the other side and found his shelves. There were awards, most engraved for him, but what shocked me was he had one from before I left. I could feel my name engraved on the metal. It was for first place in the spelling bee. I smiled a bit knowing he displayed it, proudly I assume. I moved on to feel a huge flat screen, surrounded by movies and what nots.

The living room was a easy task of learning. I felt my way around the hall going into the kitchen. There was a table and coat rack by the front door, something I could easily remember for next time I come in. I reached the kitchen and began to remember it.

To the left was the table, four chairs around it. To the right was a long counter, canasters sitting in a row on top. I would have to remind dad to label them so I could know which was which. I reached up to feel the cabinets above me. I opened them one by one to find the groceries. Next was the drawers below the counter. The drawers below held dad's papers and different sized envelopes.

I felt my way down and found the pots, pans and skillets. As I made my way around, I felt the fridge by the back door, which led to another counter. This counter had the stove and sink. The small cabinet above held spices, then beside it held plates and bowls. On the other side of the sink held the array of mix matched glasses. A canister beside the stove held a few cooking utensils and the drawers below the counter held the eating utensils and dish rags.

I made myself familiar with the contents in the fridge and freezer. I would have to make sure to arrange the meat in piles so I knew what was what.

I could still picture what it looked like from when I was little. I imagine it looking the same. Wooden walls with pictures hanging around and dreamcatchers handmade by dad's friend, Billy.

The kitchen having pale blue counters and ugly floral back paper. I couldn't help but smile. I missed this place, a lot.

I decided to sit on the back patio, so I went back upstairs to grab my laptop bag and phone.

"Call dad."

"Calling dad."

"Hello?"

"Hey dad."

"Bells, hey. When did you get a phone?"

"Today while shopping with Sue. I have it voice activated so all I do is say call whoever and it dials. It even tells me who is calling me."

"That's great, Bells. What have you done today?"

"When I got back I walked around the house to get a fill of where everything was. Listen, can you pick up something for supper? I don't know what all is in the freezer yet and didn't want to cook the wrong thing."

"Yeah, no problem sweetheart. I'll be home by seven. You going to be okay til then?"

"Sure. Just goin to check e-mails."

"Okay. See you later."

"Okay. Hey, don't forget that pony."

He laughed. "Sure thing. Love ya."

"Love ya, too."

He hung up still laughing. I successfully made it to the back door and out onto the patio. I found the table and set my laptop down.

I pulled it out and began the start up program and opened the e-mail.

"You have three new voice e-mails from Harding, Franklin and Jenkinson."

"Open e-mail from Harding."

"Hey, Swan. Just a quick e-mail to check on ya. Hope things are goin good. I leave out in a week to head to base in North Carolina. Sure guna miss ya. Well, better go. Hope to hear back from you. Later!"

"Write reply to Harding. Hey Harding. Things are goin great here. Dad is still dad, just a little more relaxed. Went on a shoppin trip today. Big shock, I know. I miss you, and the other guys. Be sure to write once your gone. Let me know how things are! Miss you, ass! Love ya!"

"Send e-mail."

"Message sent."

"Open e-mail from Jenkinson."

"Bella! What's up girl? Hope you're good. Guess you know by now we head to base in North Carolina in a week. Sure ain't goin to be the same without ya. Keep in touch! Oh, by the way. I finally got that picture."

"Reply to message. Hey J. Things are great. Dad is great, too. Yeah, Harding told me you would be leaving in a week. Sure will miss ya! Miss ya already. Wish I could see that picture. Glad you finally got it. Be careful out there and keep in touch! Love ya bro."

"Send message."

"Message sent."

"Open e-mail from Franklin."

"Hey, chica! How the hell are you? Haven't heard from you. Leavin next week to head out again. I'm sure J or Harding told you by now. How's the old man? Hope you aren't injuring yourself around there. Haha. Anyway, keep in touch. Miss you, chica!"

"Reply to message. Hey Franklin. It's good to hear from you. Yeah, they told me were ya would be goin. Sure wish I could be there. Dad is great. Its nice to be catchin up with him. And I have only tripped up the stairs, once. Clumsy me. Anyway, be safe out there and make sure to keep in touch. Love ya man."

"Send message."

"Message sent. No more messages."

"Close e-mail. Open music player to Bella's playlist."

My music started up. I listened to Linkin Park while I sat outside. I loved the feeling of the breeze blowing around me. Something I missed like crazy in Kuwait.

I stood up and found my way to the steps. I made it down and walked across the yard. How I manage to not trip is beyond me. It was like something was pulling and guiding me. I stopped at the edge of the woods, no longer feeling sunlight on my face.

I just stood there. I could feel something, I just didn't know what. Like someone was calling to me.

"I know you're out there. Somewhere. I feel you. Strongly. Whoever you are, stay close. It gives me a big comfort. Just don't stay so close it feels like stalking."

I could have swore I heard a laugh. I shook it off and went back to the porch. I sat there for the rest of the evening until I heard the cruiser pull up. I gathered my stuff and went back inside.

"Bells. I'm home."

"Kitchen. You bring pizza?"

"Yeah. Pepperoni and green bell pepper."

"Seriously? You remembered?"

"Yeah. You're my daughter, remember?" He laughed.

"Yeah. I'm glad you did."

I walked to the cabinet and pulled out two plates and put them on the table. Then went to the fridge and felt for a drink.

"What kind of soda is this?"

"Dr. Pepper. The left is my beer."

"Awesome." I smiled as I pulled out one of each. I went to the table and took a seat.

"You sure have found your way around. I'm happy for you."

"Yeah. Only thing I need is a way to label the cansters so I know what they are."

I grabbed a few slices and put them on my plate to cool.

"Oh, I have something for you."

He placed two objects in front of me. I felt them and laughed. "Really? A pony and a Mustang car?"

"Well you did say you wanted them. And what better way to give you them than a small size."

"Dad, you're too much. Thank you. I love them. It means alot to me."

I reached forward and hugged him. I held on tighter and longer than usual. He hugged me back, giving me a squeeze.

"You're welcome, Bells."

"So, can you tell me about Emmett? Where did he come from?"

"He lived here years ago. His dad worked as a doctor here and then they moved about a year later. He was always a good kid. Never gave any trouble. His brother, Edward, was a different story. Always in trouble. Emmett is a good lookin kid."

I nodded my head. Emmett did seem like a nice guy. Maybe I would run into him again.

"He does seem nice. Maybe we will run into each other again."

"I'm sure you will."

The rest of the night considered of eating pizza and lounging in front of the tv listening to some kind of game. Even if we didn't talk, there was no awkwardness between dad and I. We always felt a comfortable silence. I couldn't help but smile at how much I was beginning to enjoy being here.

When we decided to go to bed, I got to my room and changed into my pajamas. I opened the window a bit to let fresh air in. That's when I felt it again. That same feeling from outside earlier. I opened the window more and closed my eyes.

The pull at my chest was a feeling like no other. It was something I actually liked. I felt like an idiot when I talked to nothing, but I knew someone, or something, was out there.

"Goodnight. Don't stay too long. Just let me sleep first."

With that, I climbed into bed. My eyes closed and I drifted off. Not once did I have that terrible nightmare of her eyes.

**A/N: Hope you enjoy! Sorry in advance if I am awhile on the next chapter. Hubster came home. But I will try and write when I can! Hope you like this chapter. Later!**