Bella left for work early. She wanted to go by and see Thelma. She stopped at the flower shop and picked up a bouquet of daisies. She didn't know what Thelma's favorite flower was, but Bella loved daisies, and she thought that Thelma would appreciate them.

She pulled her '65 Impala into the gravel parking lot next to Forks Cemetery. This never got easier. Thelma had been gone almost a year, and she missed her every day. Bella smiled when she thought about her, she was sassy and took no shit, and she loved Bella like her own.

As she walked the short path to Thelma's headstone, she remembered that night she had found herself standing in Thelma's Bar. Thelma had helped her so much; she gave her a job and a place to live until she got on her feet. She owed Thelma so much.

Bella put her flowers in the small cement vase next to the headstone and settled in for their weekly chat. At first, she felt silly talking to the air, but now she looked forward to it.

Three years ago….

Bella had run out of gas a few miles outside Forks city limits. She grabbed her backpack and took off on foot back towards the town in the drizzling rain, trying to find a gas station. She made it into Forks and found the Fill-Up and Go. It was late, though, and of course, they were closed. She tipped her head back and ran her hands through her hair. All these small towns roll up their sidewalks at seven P.M.

Bella looked at her watch as she turned to walk back to her car when the bright neon beer signs caught her attention. There was a bar open across the street. Bella walked over. Thelma's Bar, the sign read. She pulled the heavy wooden door open and looked around the dark bar. It was smoky. There were two booths in one corner next to a worn pool table. In the opposite corner of the booths, a jukebox played songs that were popular twenty-five years ago. The long bar took up most of the space. Several tired-looking men sat on the stools drinking beers and watching the muted ball game on the black and white T.V.

"Well, hello, young lady." A slim older woman called from behind the bar. "What brings you in here?"

All eyes in the bar turned to see who Thelma was talking to. Thelma's Bar was the place the locals went to drink. Occasionally, people would come into town camp or fish but never darkened the door of Thelma's.

"I-uh, well, I ran out of gas a few miles back and came into town to find a gas station, but I see I'm out of luck," Bella responded, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "I will just walk back to my car and wait until morning."

"No, you won't, hon. Come on over." Thelma patted the bar in front of an empty stool. "Can I get you something to eat? Are you thirsty?" She stared at the wet, frightened girl. She looked no older than sixteen, and she was so thin and pale.

Bella walked over and sat down on the wobbly bar stool. "I'm fine, thank you. Could I get a towel, maybe? I am dripping all over your bar." Bella gave the bartender a small smile.

Thelma tossed her a clean towel. "What's your name, hon?"

"Bella."

"Bella," Thelma held out her hand, "nice to meet you. I'm Thelma, and I cannot let you sleep in your car tonight, hon." Thelma looked around the mostly empty bar. "Slow night. We're closing here in an hour or so, and you're coming home with me. In the morning, we will get you a gas can and get you on your way." There was something broken in the girl's eyes. Thelma couldn't let her be alone.

Bella didn't want to put this woman out, but she didn't want to spend the night in her car either. She seemed normal; what could one night hurt? "Thank you. I appreciate it."

An hour later, they were locking up the bar and walking to Thelma's car. As they got in, she asked, "How old are you, hon?" She wanted to make sure no one was looking for the girl.

"Twenty," Bella said.

"What brings you to Forks?"

"Just passing through town, I am headed to uh… Canada." It was the first place that came to Bella's mind.

"You got family up there?" Thelma asked, concerned.

"Nope," Bella answered, staring out the window.

Thelma left the girl with her thoughts. You didn't own a bar for fifty years and not learn a few things about people. If you push, they clam up, but if you are patient and give folks some space, most will spill their guts.

After a few more minutes of silence, they were home. "Well, here we are. Home sweet home." Thelma said as the car's headlights flashed on the small blue house.

Bella climbed out of the car and put on her backpack. She followed Thelma up the front porch steps and into the house.

Thelma flipped the light on and illuminated a small living room. From the front door, Bella could see into the kitchen and out the back door. "Would you like a hot shower? Something to eat? I know you must be hungry."

"I would love a shower and maybe a glass of water?" Bella responded.

"You got it, hon. Gimme a minute, and I will find you something to sleep in." Thelma disappeared into the dark hallway just off the cozy living room.

While she was alone, Bella wandered around the room. There were pictures of who Bella assumed were kids and grandkids on the mantle. A sofa sat in the middle of the room, and a worn La-Z-Boy sat off to the left. It faced a T.V. much like the one at the bar. A woven rug covered the wood floor.

"Here we go!" Thelma called from the hallway. She turned the light on in the bathroom. "Fresh towels and some clean pajamas. I am a night owl, so if you would like, I can toss a laundry in for you?" Bella looked down at her dirty clothes, embarrassed. Things had been hard the past few months, and going to the laundromat had been the least of her concerns. Come to think of it, it had been a while since she had had a proper bath. "Are you sure?"

"No problem, hon. Just leave what you have on and any other things you need to be washed right outside the door, and I will get it started. There are no men around here if you are worried about that. Just me and my ol' dog Missy Mae. You're not scared of dogs, are you?"

"No, ma'am."

"I will also make up the sofa for you. Sorry, I don't have a guest bed." Thelma told Bella.

"Sofa will be fine." Bella smiled at her and then softly closed the door to the bathroom. She turned on the water and set it hot. She stripped off her dirty clothes and pulled another pair of jeans, two t-shirts, and a handful of underclothes from her backpack. She cracked the door and sat the pile in the hallway. She would be forever grateful for Thelma's kindness.

As Bella washed her hair, she thought about her next moves. In a moment of panic, she told Thelma she was headed to Canada. Where did that even come from? She wondered. Since leaving Chicago, she never stayed in any one town for more than a few weeks tops. Making enough money to keep moving has been her motto. The road was exhausting, but could she settle down and stay in one place? Would it be too hard to stay a while in Forks? She missed having friends and a life. She continued to weigh her options until the water started to run cold. She got out of the shower and wrapped first her hair, then her body in the fluffy towels Thelma had left for her.

Bella wiped the steam off of the bathroom mirror and, for the first time in a long time, really looked at herself. She ran her fingers over her sharp collar bones, then touched her hollow cheeks. She softly touched the dark circles under her eyes. It was no wonder everyone stared at her when she walked into the bar. She looked as weary as she felt. She took another long look at herself. Sighing softly, she decided to stay in Forks. It's time to stop running and settle down.

Bella put on the t-shirt and faded flannel pants Thelma had left her. They were baggy but soft, and Bella was appreciative of them. Opening the bathroom door, she heard Thelma call from the living room. "I was starting to worry about you there."

Bella followed Thelma's voice to the living room. "Oh, I'm sorry, I—"

Thelma was in her chair, wearing a fuzzy robe, her beer dripping condensation on the table beside her. "Oh, hon, I'm just giving you a hard time. I am glad you took your time."

Bella crossed the room and sat down on the sofa. She tucked her feet underneath her. Thelma had put a sheet, pillow, and a thick wool blanket on the sofa. Bella pulled the blanket around her. She reached for the glass of water on the coffee table and took a small sip as she worked up the courage to ask Thelma if she could use some help at the bar or if she knew someone looking to hire. Once she had a job, she could start working on a place to live.

Thelma broke into her thoughts, "So, in the morning, I can take you to the gas station and get you on your way." Thelma looked at Bella. "I mean, if that is still your plan. Canada right? That's where you're headed?"

"Actually, I might stay here." Bella swallowed hard. "Not here," she gestured around the room, "but Forks. I have been traveling a lot, and I think it might be time to put down some roots."

Thelma smiled at the girl. "Hon, I am glad to hear you say that. I have been thinkin' on something. I have a small apartment over the garage if you want to stay here. My grandson Jimmy lived up there a while back, and I am sure it will need a good cleaning, but there is furniture and a small kitchen. It's nothing special, but you could come and go as you like."

"Are you sure?" Bella asked, concerned. "I mean, you don't even know me,"

"I would like to get to know you, and if you don't mind me saying so, it looks like you could use a few breaks in life. And I need some help down at the bar. My second waitress just quit. So, really, you would be helping me out." Thelma took a long swallow from her beer and pushed the footrest of her recliner down. "Why don't you sleep on it? In the morning you can decide. If you want to stay, we will get your car and get you settled in upstairs. If not, you can be on your way. No hard feelings."

"Okay, that sounds good."

As if on cue, the washer made a buzzing sound. "That will be the wash. I will get it in the dryer." Thelma told Bella.

"No, no. I can get it. I appreciate you washing it for me."

"Alright then, this old gal is headed to bed. I'll see you in the morning, Bella." Thelma stopped in front of her. Bella thought for a moment she would lean down and hug her, but Thelma smiled and walked toward the hall. "Sleep tight!" She called, and Bella heard her bedroom door close.

The following day, around eleven, they were on the road to get Bella's car. Bella cleared her throat softly, "How long have you lived in Forks, Thelma?"

"Born and raised, my parents too. Forks is all I know." She smiled, thinking back on her life. "Married my high school sweetheart, had a couple of kids. Three wonderful grandsons. Been lucky enough to keep the bar afloat all these years."

Bella turned toward Thelma, interested. "Tell me the story."

"Oh, hon, really?" Thelma asked, surprised.

"Yes, please."

"Well, okay. George and I met in high school. I was a freshman, and he was a senior. We married the day I graduated and moved into a tiny apartment about three blocks from the bar. We didn't own it then." Thelma looked over at Bella. She was hanging on every word. "We were married nine and a half months when Samantha was born. George always wanted me to make sure people knew that part." Thelma let out a small chuckle. "His folks were very religious." Bella nodded.

"Anyway, he was working as a mechanic and making a fine living. We moved out of that apartment and bought our house. Then, one day, he came home, Samantha was two, and I was pregnant with Arthur, and he told me he had quit his job and bought the bar. At that time, it was a brawler bar. I tell you, Bella, I almost left him. Well, I did for a few weeks. I packed my bags and went and stayed with my mother!" Thelma slapped the steering wheel for emphasis. "He called and begged me to come home, and I couldn't stay gone." Her eyes danced with the memory.

"He took me to the bar one night right before it opened. He showed me the big Thelma's sign, and I knew for the rest of our lives we were gonna run a bar. I told him I wanted a clean joint. A place where folks can come in and have a beer, watch the game, and be peaceful. He kept his promise."

"Where is George now?" Bella asked respectfully.

"He died. The kids were in elementary school. He went out one afternoon to fish, and a storm came up before he could return to shore. At least that's what the sheriff told me. Never found his body, though." Bella felt guilt wash over her. She wished she had never asked.

"I am so sorry, Thelma," Bella whispered.

"Life went on, and so did I. I raised those kids on my own. Samantha went wild in high school, got pregnant with Jimmy, and took off when he was four days old. I haven't seen her since. She would send cards and gifts occasionally, but that stopped around his twelfth birthday. I hope she found peace, or God or whatever, but I have a feeling she overdosed somewhere." A tear slipped down Thelma's cheek. Bella wanted to hug her.

Hoping to find a happier ending, she asked, "What about Arthur?"

Thelma's face lit up at his name. "Oh, Arthur was a good boy, Smart as a whip, that one. He married well. They have twin boys. He is a big-shot lawyer in Seattle. He doesn't come home much, but he calls and writes and always sends flowers for my birthday."

"That's sweet." Bella smiled.

"What about you, hon? Where are you from?" Thelma asked.

"Oak Park, Illinois. That's where I grew up." Bella stared out the window while answering Thelma's question. She let the silence fill the car for a few more moments. Thelma had shared a lot with her. She felt she should do the same. "I moved to Chicago after high school. My dad always said I was a big city girl stuck in a small farm town. I had big plans."

"What happened in Chicago, Bella?" Thelma asked apprehensively. She could tell the girl didn't want to talk about it, but she felt Bella needed to.

"Oh ya, know, it's never as glamorous as you dream it will be." Bella pointed out the window, "Oh, pull over, please. That's my car."

Present Day…

Bella slowly stood up, steadying herself on the headstone. "I am sorry, Thelma, I never told you the whole story. I always meant to, and I know you would have still loved me ."

Bella could almost feel Thelma whisper in her ear, "It's alright, hon, and yes, I would have still loved you with my whole heart."