Isabelle

A few days has passed, I got the contractor, fixing up my kitchen floor. "Okay the floor is fixed. We added some support beams under the whole floor to prevent you from falling in again," the contractor said. 

"Thank you so much," I said. I got out some money. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Oh thanks," I said, smiling. "Have a good day ma'am," he said. 

"You gents as well," I said. They leave my house. I sat down on the chair and looked at the color booklet that Zara found for me. I picked the color and pointed it. 

I looked at the clock. "Crap," I said. I got to my room to get changed for work. I quickly got my hair up and my shoes on. 

Minutes later...

I walked over to the general store before work. "Hey Zara, hey Zac," I said. They were drawing with markers. "Hi, Belle," they said. "What you guys drawing?" I asked. 

"He's drawing horses and I am drawing a kitty on the sands," Zara said. "Looks good so far," I said, smiling.

I see my boss Maggie there. I looked at the guy behind the counter. "Hi, Belle," Maggie said. "Hi, Belle," I said. 

Keith 

I look over and I see Belle. "I haven't seen you and the kiddos for a while. You four need to stop by sometime," Maggie said. 

"Maybe this weekend," I said, giving Maggie change. "Bye Belle," Maggie said. "I'll be at work in a bit," Belle said. 

"Take the time you need," Maggie said. Maggie tries to open the exit door. "Use the other door, its jamed," I said. 

I kicked the door to make it open. I grabbed the screwdriver and start fixing the bolts. "Hi," I heard Belle's voice.

I looked up and see her. "Hey," I said, walking over to her. "I actually picked the color for my kitchen wall," I said. "Ohh what did you pick?" he asked. 

I showed him the blues. "Light Cobalt Blue," I said, pointing it. "Light Cobalt Blue, I will get it ordered for you. How much do you need?" he asked. 

"About a gallon and half," I said. "Okay. I'll put the order in now and it will be here by Monday," I said. 

"Sounds good," she said.. "So I need your name and number so I can call you when it arrives," I said. 

"I actually have no phone but I will swing by Monday after work. My name is Belle," she said. "Okay. I am Keith and this is my uncle Rob. I will see you Monday," I said. 

"Okay, thank you. I better get to work now," she said. "Okay, have a good day at work," I said. Belle nodded as she headed out. 

"When did we start selling paint?" Rob asked. "Just now," I said, giving him the booklet. I see Belle with Zara and Zac. 

"The drawings look good," Belle said. "Thank you, Belle," Zara said. "Belle, what you think of mine?" Zac asked. 

"Looks good. You two are great artist. Well I gotta head to work," Belle said. They hugged Belle then Belle walks off. "Bye, Belle," they both said to Belle. 

Isabelle 

I am at work, finishing cleaning up tables and drying them off. "Need some help?" Maggie asked. 

"Yes, please. Not easy being the only bus girl," I said. "Its all good. I see you spending time with Keith and his kids," she said. 

"Yeah. Zara and Zac are adorable and I noticed his oldest one is rebellious," I said. "I guess you heard what happen to his wife," Maggie asked. 

"No, he didn't tell me that," I said. "Well she passed away from Leukemia a couple of years ago. It was very hard on him. He's been a widower since," Maggie said. 

I nodded and got sad for Keith. We finished up. "Well you are free to go. See you tomorrow morning," she said. "See you tomorrow," I said.

After a busy day at work, I headed home. I look at my patio and I see a woman with red hair, looking in my window. 

"Excuse me?" I asked. The red hair woman gasped. "You scared me. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to snoop in your windows," she said. 

"Who are you?" I asked. "Oh, I'm Danica. I am your neighbor," Danica said. "I'm Belle. Samantha told me that I don't have neighbors," I said. 

"Nice to meet you, Belle. Like the Disney Princess?" she asked. "Yes, my mom always called me Belle," I said.  

Danica nodded. "Well I am like you. Living somewhere quiet with bugs and birds chirping," she said. "Yeah, where I can think," I said. 

"Oh good, me too," she said. "Well I better get inside before mosquitos start eating me alive," I said. 

"Well if you need anything or someone to hang out with, I am down the road. It was nice meeting you," she said, smiling. I got on my patio to my door and I turned around. 

Danica disappeared quickly. "Wow, she's fast," I said. I went inside my house.

One Week Later 

I left work and I walked passed the general store. "Hey, Belle! Your paint's here," Keith said. I headed over. "Hey, I totally forgot," I said, headed over.

I went inside and saw the paint. "I had some primer as well. Just lay out that first," he said. "Okay, thank you so much," I said. 

"Want me to give you a lift to your place?" he asked. "No, I got this," I said. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Nah, its all good," I said, grabbing the paint and headed out the door. 

Once I started walking I started getting blisters on my hand. I turned around and headed back to the store. "Hey, Keith, does that giving me a lift still an offer?" I asked. 

Keith nodded and smiled. "Its still an offer," he said. He picked up the paint and putting in the back of his truck. "Thank you so much, my hands started blistering," I said. 

"Its no problem," he said. I got in the passenger seat. Keith got in the drivers seat and starts driving. The radio plays. 

"It's Edgar Allen Poe. Tinsley loves it," he said. "Oh, its okay," I said. "I got Foreigner," he said. "Nah its good," I said.

"Is Belle short for anything?" he asked. "Isabelle," I said. "Isabelle. I like it," he said, smiling. I nodded. "I'll just call you Belle, if that's okay?" he asked. 

I nodded and smiled. I touched hand blisters. "Here, wrap your hand with my bandana," he said, giving me a bandana. I wrapped my hand with it. 

"Turn here," I said, pointing at my turn. "This is where you live?" he asked. "Yes, it was the only house I liked so far," I said. 

"Its actually my late-wife's grandparent's house," he said. "Oh, I didn't know," I said. He pulls up and we got out. I got on my porch. Keith brings the paint.

"Oh just leave it right here," I said. "Are you sure? I'll take it in," he said. "No, its good," I said. "Okay. Here's a bag of brushes, tape and etc. to help you make it light cobalt blue," he said. 

I nodded. "Well thanks for the lift and ordering the paint," I said, getting my wallet. "You're welcome and it's no charge. Its on me," he said. 

"Oh thanks," I said. "I guess I will see you around?" he asked. I nodded. "Once I finish painting, I will let you know," I said. 

"Can't wait to see it. Have a good night, Belle," he said. "You too, Keith. Thanks again," I said. He nodded and headed back to his truck. He backed out and waved. I waved back as I grabbed the paint and heading inside. 

I heard a knock on the door. I look at the door and I see Danica. I opened the door. "Hey, Danica, come in," I said. "Oh thank you. Who was that man?" she asked. 

"Oh. Keith. He's the owner of the general store," I said. "Oh cool," she said. I nodded. "Kind of cute though," I said. "I bet he is," she said.