Puppies and Promises

Chapter 3: Starting Over

Chapter 3: Starting Over

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. . . . .

Rosalie helped with the packing, and the whole time she was in my room, she kept singing a song that was barely audible. "What are you doing, Rose?"

"I'm keeping one step ahead of Edward."

I nodded, understanding her actions. Edward couldn't read her mind, or know what she was doing for a while at least, if that song was playing in her head.

With her incredible speed, we were in the car, and heading toward ... La Push?

We were just inside the border on the opposite side of the Reservation, when Rosalie took a seldom used, back road and skirted the rear of an apartment complex. She explained, "Edward will be looking for a building that faces the highway. Anyway, we're still within the bounds of the reservation. He'll have to break the treaty to come here. Technically, I shouldn't be here either, but what the hell. This was worth it."

Shaking my head in amazement, I said, "You are definitely not a dumb blonde, Rose."

She handed me a set of keys, and took my luggage. "It's all yours; apartment number seven; your lucky number."

My mind was a discombobulated jumble. I couldn't believe this was happening; especially that Rosalie of all people should help me.

Rosalie looked my way before moving toward the complex. "I'm not a mind reader like my brother, or a seer like Alice, but it wasn't that difficult to see that there was no future left for you in our home. I saw the split coming as soon as that unfortunate event happened, and I don't blame you one bit. I wanted that baby as much as you did."

Hoisting my bags in one hand, she remarked, "I'll get you settled in, and then I'll go. Here, take my other hand, while I close my eyes. You can guide me to the apartment. If I don't see where I'm going, Edward won't see it either. When I leave here, I'll continue driving to throw him off the trail."

"I don't know how to thank you."

"You can start by promising to stay away from vampires."

"No problem."

She was dead serious. "I'm not kidding, Bella. It's a real warning."

. . . . .

My belongings got squared away quickly, and before leaving, Rosalie handed me a huge wad of hundred dollar bills. "This should keep you in food and rent for awhile. And don't worry, I borrowed it from Alice. She was as upset as I was over this whole situation, and guilty to boot. She practically threw the money at me.

"Are you going to be all right now?"

"Yeah, and thanks, Rose."

"Don't mention it."

I walked Rosalie to the back door. When she started to leave, I remembered something. "Oh wait!" I removed my wedding band, and gave it to her. "Please give this back to Edward. I can't keep it. The ring belonged to his mother so I'm sure it means a great deal to him."

Rosalie looked straight at me, and gave me an unprecedented smile. "You're making the right choice."

"I know."

. . . . .

I looked around, scrutinizing the apartment. It was painted stark white. There were a few nondescript paintings on the walls, and some knick knacks here and there. The furniture was beige naugahyde, the carpeting beige also. I felt just as colorless as my surroundings, but at least I wasn't wound up tense as a coiled spring, or battling with my domineering husband.