ng for Jacob to call and trying to
shake off the Litest
nightmare。 The scenery had changed。 Last night I'd wandered in a wide sea of
ferns interspersed with
huge hemlock trees。 There was nothing else there； and I was lost； wandering
aimless and alone； searching
for nothing。 I wanted to kick myself for the stupid field trip last week。 I
shoved the dream out of my
conscious mind； hoping it would stay locked up somewhere and not escape again。
Charlie was outside washing the cruiser； so when the phone rang； I dropped the
toilet brush and ran
downstairs to answer it。
〃Hello？〃 I asked breathlessly。
〃Bella；〃 Jacob said； a strange； formal tone to his voice。
〃Hey； Jake。〃
〃I believe that we have a date〃 he said； his tone thick with implications。
It took me a second before I got it。 〃They're done？ I can't believe it！〃 What
perfect timing。 I needed
something to distract me from nightmares and nothingness。
〃Yeah； they run and everything。〃
〃Jacob； you are absolutely； without a doubt； the most talented and wonderful
person I know。 You get ten
years for this one。〃
〃Cool！ I'm middle…aged now。〃
I laughed。 〃I'm on my way up！〃
I threw the cleaning supplies under the bathroom counter and grabbed my
jacket。
〃Headed to see Jake；〃 Charlie said when I ran past him。 It wasn't really a
question。
〃Yep；〃 I replied as I jumped in my truck。
〃I'll be at the station later；〃 Charlie called after me。
〃Okay；〃 I yelled back； turning the key。
Charlie said something else； but I couldn't hear him clearly over the roar of
the engine。 It sounded sort of
like； 〃Where's the fire？