My Original by wizardtho
Chapter 2:
It was a month before I had everything from both Renee's and Charlie's packed up that I wanted shipped down, and I emailed the owner of the island to let him know:
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Dear Mr. Jackson,
My mother and step-father left this email address for me, so I would be able to contact you regarding any boxes I would be shipping down and my arrival date. The letter that will be with the 5 boxes is for you, and it contains the requested shopping list, along with money to accomplish that. I thank you for offering to do the shopping, because it will lighten the burden on me after such a long flight. I will be arriving 2 weeks from tomorrow. Please let me know if there is anything I can pick up for you stateside before my arrival, and I would be happy to return the favor.
Thank you again,
Isabella Swan
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I sent the email, and it didn't even take a full twenty minutes before my laptop dinged that I had a new email. I smiled when I opened it up and saw a reply already from Mr. Jackson:
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Dear Ms. Swan,
Thank you for offering to pick something up for me stateside. There are several things that you just can't get out here, like you can there. I would be delighted if you would please get a book entitled 'Unmasqued' by Colette Gale, as my copy has unfortunately seen its last days. If it's not too much trouble, would you also be willing to get me a hard cover copy of 'Inheritance' by Christopher Paolini? I would be glad to take on the shopping needs for you, since I understand you will be flying from Washington state, and have quite the journey to reach the island. Should you need anything else, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Cooper Jackson
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I smiled at his response, then went online to see what his book would cost. I had actually become a fan of Colette Gale recently, so I was interested in finding out what this book for Mr. Jackson would be like. It looked to be an erotic take on The Phantom of the Opera tale. I may just need to read that book. As for the Christopher Paolini book, I already had that, in hardback no less. Now to write Mr. Jackson back.
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Dear Mr Jackson,
A bookstore nearby has the Colette Gale book you need for $15. I must say that it looks to be quite an intriguing read. I actually have the Christopher Paolini book that you asked for in hard cover, and would be happy to let you read it, should you wish to do a bit of swapping. Please let me know, as I would be willing to buy both for you, should you prefer.
Longing to feel the island breeze,
Isabella Swan
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I smiled as I clicked send on the email, then turned back to packing the last of my non-necessities. I had already shipped most of my clothing, knicknacks, and books to the island earlier today, and was finishing up packing the last of the non-essentials that I would be taking on the plane. Just as I finished zipping the suitcase, I heard the ding on my laptop again, and crawled up the bed to sit at the headboard. I opened my email and chuckled as I saw that Mr. Jackson had replied.
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Dear Ms. Swan,
The breeze does feel particularly good tonight, so I am sorry that you are missing it. I would not mind lending you 'Unmasqued' for 'Inheritance' at all. Do you have a fondness for literature, too? Forgive me if I am intruding, but will your mother or step-father be accompanying you for your first journey to the island? I do not wish for you to become lost trying to find your way without help.
Relaxing with my feet in the sand,
Jackson Cooper
P.S: May I make a suggestion without sounding pushy?
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I giggled at his closing sentiment, then hit reply:
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Dear Mr. Jackson,
I am completely envious of you right now, as January in Washington is utterly !*@# freezing. If I can walk out of the house with less than 3 thick layers right now, it is a good day. I keep eying my bikini in disgust, because I know it will be two more weeks before I can even think about wearing it, and I haven't worn it for over a year. The last time the weather was nice enough, I was in Jacksonville visiting my mom.
I have a deep love of literature, and am told by my mother that the observation room would be the perfect place for me to curl up with a book. I am well versed with the Bronte sisters, Shakespeare, and many other classic writers, but recently tend lean more toward more modern literature (Paolini being an example).
Yes, my mother and step-father are both coming with me to help me settle in for the first 3 days, then they will be returning stateside. Please do not worry, as they will be able to guide me on my first journey. I can't wait to explore my new surroundings. Maybe you can tell me where a few good spots on the island to explore would be.
What would your suggestion pertain to, may I ask?
Counting the hours until I see something other than snow,
Isabella Swan
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I hit send, then went to take a long, hot shower. While I was letting the water fall over me, I thought about how quickly Mr. Jackson had been getting back to me. I hoped I was not taking him away from his wife, because I would feel quite bad about that. I didn't want to start out on the wrong foot with her, since I would be living on the other side of the island, with them being my only neighbors.
Once I finished my nightly ritual and kissed Charlie's forehead good night, I returned to my room, and found a reply from Mr. Jackson waiting. I opened it to read:
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Dear Ms. Swan,
It will be nice to have someone nearby that has a love of literature, like myself. With living on the island full time now, it's not like there is a lot of company about, and sometimes you just want to tell someone about a good book.
My suggestion? It concerned 'Unmasqued'. The book is not for everyone, but if you would like to start reading it before you arrive, you are more than welcome. My suggestion would only be that if you do not like the first few chapters, please do not continue reading, as you will find the rest to be undeserving. Some people tend to not like having their classics “messed with”.
As for exploring your new surroundings, there are several well beaten paths through the forest to clearings and such. If your mother forgot to mention it, I keep the paths clear for both sides of the island, so you will not need to worry about keeping up with them. Once you get the lay of the land, so to speak, let me know, and I may be able to map out some off-the-path suggestions for you.
Listening for the ding that will end the silence,
Cooper Jackson
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I giggled, then realized he must be lonely. Did he not have a wife or girlfriend? I responded back:
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Dear Mr. Jackson,
I, for one, do not have a problem with my classics taking an erotic turn... as long as it is well written. As for my exploration, I will take your suggestion and stay to the beaten paths for a while, since I just recently got over my penchant for tripping over thin air on a daily basis. I'm still reluctant to say that my newfound balance is here to stay.
I'm actually surprised my mother didn't mention that. Did she happen to tell you or your wife the reason they were buying the property for me? I'm just curious as to how much of your ears she talked off. She can go on forever, if you let her.
Oh, my goodness. I just noticed the time. It's got to be near 1:30 A.M. there. I'm probably keeping you from sleep.
Wishing you a good night,
Isabella Swan
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I hit send, then pulled up the internet to find some new bedding that I could have shipped to the island from Renee and Phil's. No sooner did I click on the first site, than I had a reply from Mr. Jackson.
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Ms Swan,
Island living tends to give people a different sleeping schedule, with lazy days and vibrant nights, so you are far from keeping me awake. Your mother was a blast to be around while she was here, with her light-hearted nature... but yes, she did tell me parts of why they were buying you the house and property for Christmas. She told me that you lost someone you loved deeply, and that you needed to go somewhere far from any memories to heal. I got the feeling that she was editing quite a bit out of that story, but I'm not one to pry, so please don't feel like you need to elaborate, if it makes you uncomfortable.
To answer your unasked question, though, I have never been married, and I'm not attached, so their reason for buying the property was only given to me. You will be the only other person living on the island full time, unless you decide to have someone move in with you -which of course, is your choice.
You seemed anxious to arrive here in your earlier emails. Have you finished all of your packing? Oh, and when should I be expecting your belongings to reach the mainland?
Looking through my library for suitable 'swapping books',
Cooper Jackson
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I chuckled at his closing statement, then decided to reply:
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Mr. Jackson,
The details are not something I can talk about, to anyone, but yes. I lost my fiance violently, and since I live in such a small town, everywhere I go reminds me of him. Everyone I see always has a look of pity in their eyes when they see me, and they think I can't hear their whispers about “Poor Bella”. I need away from my surroundings and the constant nightmares. I need to be somewhere warm and sunny with no reminders, instead of cold and wet with the constant reminders... somewhere where I can have a fresh start, and I can concentrate on healing what's left me.
Wow, sorry about dumping that on you. The nights are always the worst for me, so just disregard that first paragraph. I will not be asking anyone to move into the house with me in the foreseeable future, just to let you know. I sent the letter and 5 boxes earlier today, and was guaranteed delivery for 7 days. I am done with all of my packing, both here and in Florida, and will be flying to my mother's the day after tomorrow. My last several days stateside will be spent with them, so I'm practically living out of my suitcases right now. I just finished packing all of my non-essentials right before I got your first reply.
I'll be making the trip to the book store first thing tomorrow morning, since I need to go to the mall to pick up a few small things, so I reluctantly need to try and sleep. It won't last long if I do fall asleep, but I need to try anyway, or my father will worry.
Hating the thought of reliving everything again,
Isabella Swan
P.S: If we keep talking this much, we should think about texting instead. It would cut down on the reply time.
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I hit the send button, then decided to look at the site I had pulled up. I was only on for a few minutes before I got a short reply that simply stated:
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Stateside number: 760-518-3049
Text me anytime, because I'll be up for several more hours.
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I hurried to grab my phone, then tapped the picture to open my contacts list. After putting in his name and number, I saved it, and hit the icon to text him. I typed, “You may regret giving me your #” and hit send. I closed my laptop and muted my phone as I shut off my light, then felt my phone vibrate, indicating he had replied. I smiled as I read the screen. “I seriously doubt that, Ms. Swan.”
I shook my head with a smile, then typed back. “Don't you think, since we'll be neighbors, that you should stop addressing me so formally? You can call me Bella.” He replied right away, “Only if you call me Coop... and yes, I agree it's a little too formal for neighbors.” I chuckled and typed, “Well, Coop, since we've dropped formality, talked about me buying you an erotic novel, and we'll be the only 2 living on a remote island, can I ask how old you are?”
It took a minute, and then my phone vibrated. “Sorry. Dropped phone 'cause I was laughing. I'm 26. I didn't think about how you buying me that book could be perceived. You?” I chuckled silently, then texted, “Don't hold this against my parents. I turned 19 last Sept. How long have u been 26?” My phone vibrated with his reply, “ :) My birthday was 3 weeks ago, since you're fishing for info. Wow... I would never think, by the way you write, that you're only 19... and I won't hold it against them.”
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, then typed my reply. “I was curious, not fishing. Happy belated birthday (My lateness in wishing you well is purely a product of not finding out until now :) ) My mom always says I was born an old soul, so that might be why my copy of 'Pride and Prejudice' is complete tatters.” I yawned softly, and pulled my covers up, then slid down and snuggled into my pillow. Coop's reply came through right as I got comfortable. “That's a good book, but it's a shame yours is so worn. So you just graduated, huh?” I responded, “Yes, last June. I was still really shaken from everything, though, so I decided not to go to college right away. I don't think I'll be ready to go until I'm free of the nightmares, if even then.”
It was a full two minutes later that Coop's reply came in the form of, “I'm not being nosy, but have you tried to talk to anyone? A friend or your parents? Maybe if you could try to start talking about it, your nightmares would ease up a bit.” I shook my head sadly, then quickly thought about how I could make him understand without putting him in danger. I typed my reply. “There are certain things I can never tell anyone, but those same things are so much a part of everything, that I just can't talk about any of it, Coop. Please understand.” His reply came immediately. “If anyone can understand the truth of how that could happen, it's me, Bella. Just know that whatever secret you're holding tightly to, it's safe with me, if you need to talk.”
I sighed, doubting I would ever be able to tell anyone about what really happened, then typed my final reply for the night. “Thanks for the offer, truly. Maybe down the road... we'll see, okay? My eyes are starting to cross while I type, so I should try to sleep now. I'll talk to you soon, Coop. Have a good night.” I got a three word reply before I set my phone on my nightstand, “Sweet dreams, Bella.”