Parallel Lives Chapter 1
Sometimes, not very often, but every once in a blue moon Daryl felt lucky. His job was well paying and there was lots of over time available, but it wasn't forced. As long as he clocked 40 hours a week, weather it was over 6 days or 3 days, it didn't matter. Dale was really flexible. Hunting season meant 40 hours spread out over three and a half days of work followed by four and a half days telling himself that having a responsible job with health care and benefits was better than living like his brother did. Merle made it sound like he lived the life, but Daryl knew better. He also considered himself lucky that he was the only one working when a pretty blonde came in with broken windshield wipers on a Monday at 8:30PM, half an hour till close.
"Can I help you?" Daryl asked wiping his hands off and looking just slightly over her head.
"I bought these around front and they said you might be able to help me install them?" The tiny angel asked holding up new blades. "And could you show me how to fill the washing fluid too?" She asked motioning to the container by her feet. She blushed. "I just moved to the city, my brother or dad always took care of these things."
"You moving here for school?" Daryl asked holding his hand out for the blades. He looked over the package making sure she had bought the right ones for the 2007 Jeep she was driving. She had, he moved around the counter and grabbed the container of fluid and motioned for her to lead the way.
"Kinda, I'm starting at the High School in September. I'm the new English teacher." She handed over her keys. "I'm a little older than I look."
"Scared me for a second. Thought you were going to say you were still in high school." Daryl said unlocking the doors and popping the hood. "See here? This is where you fill the washer fluid." Daryl said turning to make sure she could see. Beth put her hands on the body of the car and peered on her tiptoes to where Daryl was pointing. "Can you reach it from the ground?" He asked moving out of her way. Beth frowned trying to reach from the front and side of the open hood before opening the trunk and taking a small step stool out and setting it on the ground.
"I can now." She said smiling. Daryl chuckled and unscrewed the stopper and filled the fluid for her.
"Alright. I'm going to show you how to put on new wiper blades. Bring your stool over here and watch. You're doing the other side on your own." Daryl said fixing the blade on the diver's side.
"My name's Beth." She said stooping down and picking up her stool and making her way over to the other side of the car and trying to get the old blade off. After few tries and pulls she got it off and tossed it beside her on the ground.
"I'm Daryl." He said handing her the blade. He patiently talked her through putting it on, reaching around her and helping snap it into place. "These blades were snapped in half, not really worth saving." Daryl said picking up the old one she had dropped and tossing it into the trash. He picked up her half filled bottle of washing fluid and her stool and carried them to her trunk.
"How much do I owe you?" Beth asked reaching in through the driver's window for her purse.
"Nothing, You bought the wipers and fluid from us, so we don't charge." Daryl answered. Beth reached over and grabbed his cellphone from his back pocket. "Hey!" Beth smiled and programmed in her number.
"I didn't notice a ring. If you don't want to get to know me better, delete my number." She said smiling and snapping a picture and adding it to his contacts. "Did you just get this phone? How am I your fifth number added?"
"I only call a few people." Daryl grumbled snatching his phone back and stuffing it in his pocket. Beth held her iPhone out. "What?"
"You didn't delete my number. I want yours too." Beth said smiling and holding her phone out in front of her. Daryl grabbed it and typed in his number.
"I don't really date." Daryl said handing her the phone back.
"I'll teach you." Beth said skipping off towards her Jeep. "Thanks again!" Daryl watched her grab the wheel and pulled herself into her vehicle. She waved again and pulled out of the parking lot. Daryl stood dumbfounded for a few seconds and thanked his lucky stars that he liked his long weekends. He quickly cleaned up and sat down to fill out his paper work. He phone buzzed and he answered without looking.
"Yeah?" He said expecting Merle to ask him to come and keep him company at some bar. But he heard the sweetest voice from the second time in one day.
"Hey Daryl, it's Beth. I just got home and I hand a sudden craving for ice cream. You want to meet me somewhere when you get off work?" she asked sweetly. "I noticed the sign on your door that you closed at 9pm. We could meet at around 10."
"Um alright." Daryl said. "Where?"
"How about Jaqui's Diner? They have homemade ice cream." Beth said. "And I know where it is. Still finding my way around town." Beth said. Daryl did some quick thinking. Jaqui's was close to where his apartment was, he could go home and shower and change.
"Oh sure. I got to finish a few things here and head home for a minute."
"No problem. I got to clean up myself. See you soon!" Beth said cheerfully hanging up. Daryl looked at his phone and checked his call log, making sure he didn't just dream that call. He quickly finished the order forms and placed them on Dale's desk before punching out and heading home on his bike. He pulled up to his spot and quickly let himself in and stripped and hopped in the shower quickly washing up. What the fuck was he thinking? He quickly his messages and went through his clean laundry that he hadn't bothered to put away. He pulled out a clean t-shirt and jeans and slipped them on. He grabbed his deodorant from his dresser and swiped some on before pulling his socks and boots on. Her voice ran through is head as he moved towards the door. Looking at the clock he realized that he had made pretty good time, he had a good ten minutes to make it to the diner. He relaxed against his counter and watched the clock; he didn't want to appear eager.
Beth skipped around her duplex grabbing her purse and keys. She couldn't believe she had been so bold. Maggie had told her if she wanted to meet people she'd have to bold and she had taken her advice, asking out the first guy she had met. She tightened her ponytail and started down her front steps, waving to the Grimes across the street. She hopped back into her Jeep and avoided looking at her neighbor as he made his way across the street to the Grimes. Shane Walsh gave her the creeps. She sped off towards Jaqui's, looking forward to her first night out in her new town. She pulled in and looked around but didn't see Daryl. Oh well she didn't actually care if she was the first one there. She pulled into a spot and walked in to the diner and sat at a booth. She let the waitress know she was expecting someone. She accepted two menus and placed one across from her and sipped at the ice water she was brought. Hearing a loud engine she looked out to the parking lot and saw Daryl pull up on a motorbike. At least she wasn't being stood up. A motorbike! She looked down at the menu and tried to play it cool as Daryl stooped in and sat across from her.
"Hey." Beth said. "How was work? Help any more useless females?"
"Nah only one today." Daryl said picking up the menu and moving it to the side.
"You already know what you want?" Beth asked looking up from the menu.
"Yeah I come here a lot.' Daryl said nodding at their waitress when she came back over. "Hey Carol." He said.
"Hello Pookie." The older woman said. "You making new friends?" She asked setting a glass of Coke in front of Daryl. "The usual?" Daryl nodded his head. "Double cheeseburger and onion rings, and a blueberry sundae for dessert." Carol said not bothering to right anything down. "No relish. What can I get you cutie?" She asked Beth pulling out her pad of paper. Beth looked down at the menu and scanned it quickly.
"I'll have the grilled cheese with bacon, and can I have tomato slices added too?" Beth asked. Carol nodded and wrote down the request. "I'll have a blueberry sundae too."
"Anything to drink?"" Carol asked picking up the menus.
"Ice tea please." Beth said smiling. Daryl picked at his nails and waited for Carol to leave before looking over across the table at one of the happiest looking people he had ever met.
"So you settling in around here?" Daryl asked. "Finding your way around town alright?"
"Well I found the high school, a pharmacy and Jaqui's. Found a good mechanic today." Beth said. "You want to take me on a tour this weekend?" Daryl choked on his drink and coughed. "You don't have to." Beth said.
"No, I can handle that." Daryl said again counting his lucky stars that he stayed late at work on Mondays. "Show you all secret spots around here. Besides Jaqui's. So tell me about you." Daryl said, anxious to just listen to her again.
"I just graduated from UG and got offered a job here. I'm 22 years old. I wanted to teach little kids, but I had to take what I could get. I'm renting on Birch St. Got a duplex."
"You live next to Shane don't you?" Daryl asked smirking. "Bet your realtor didn't warn you about him."
"I was sold on living next to a police officer and across the street from another. I've baby sat for the Grimes a few times. Seemed like an emergency, Lori had to run off, left Carl and the baby with me, we had just met."
"Yeah I'd say if you ignore him he'll go away, but I don't think lying to you is a good idea." Daryl said. Carol brought over their plates and Beth dug right into her sandwich.
"I'm so glad you ordered food. I skipped breakfast, so I need more fuel. I'd have pigged out at home if all we ate was ice cream." Beth said covering her mouth politely. "This is my new favorite place to eat."
"I'll let Jaqui know you like her cooking." Carol said stopping by with refills for their beverages. "Daryl comes here every Wednesday for wings, you should stop by." Carol said. "Only five cents a wing!"
"I'll be here tomorrow with or without him. I haven't found a grocery store yet. I just can't eat anymore instant noodles or frozen dinners that I got at the pharmacy."
"Daryl you show this poor girl where a Piggly Wiggly is when you guys finish up here." Carol said reaching out and slapping Daryl lightly on the back of his head.
"I can take you for a little tour tonight." Daryl said rubbing the back of his head and straightening his hair back down.
"You're sweet." Beth said offering over one of her sandwich quarters. "Want some?" Daryl took the sandwich from her and spun his plate around offering her some of his onions rings. Beth smiled and took one. "These are really good."
"Oh my sweet Lord." Daryl flinched at the voice. "Is my baby brother on a date?" Merle asked sliding in beside Daryl and picking up his burger and taking a huge bite.
"Yes, we are on a date. My name is Beth. Do you want some of my sandwich?" Beth asked holding out another quarter. Merle snickered and Daryl turned red.
"Nah, you need the food more than me. Carol! I'll take a steak sandwich. Add it to my baby brother's bill." Beth looked over at Daryl smiling.
"Merle, go sit somewhere else." Carol said grabbing him by the back of his shirt as she dropped off the desserts. "You leave your bother alone. Stop trying to embarrass him." Carol scolded dropping Merle on a stool at the counter as he argued about wanting to sit with Barbie, and putting his order through.
"I'm so glad we ran into your brother instead of my sister." Beth said. "You're brother didn't threaten me."
"I can look forward to being threatened hanging out with you?" Daryl asked spooning ice cream into his mouth quickly.
"Slow down, you're going to get brain freeze." Beth said, "Maggie is protective is all."
"I don't get brain freeze." Daryl said. Beth took a few dainty bites before sliding her dish over. "You full?" Beth nodded her head.
"You can finish if you want." Beth said holding her stomach and sipping her iced tea.
"You ready to find out where the grocery store is?" Daryl asked finishing off her sundae too. Beth nodded and reached for the bill. Daryl pulled it towards him. "I don't know where you think you are, but this here is the Deep South little lady. I got it."
"Alright but next time is my treat." Beth said sliding out of the booth and waving to Carol and Merle and followed Daryl towards the cash.
"You can go wait by the bike if you want. I parked next to your Jeep." Daryl said suddenly aware of all the eyes on them.
"You're going to take me on the bike?" Beth asked excitedly. "I've never been on a bike."
"Either that or you can follow me in your Jeep. That way you can stock up once we find the store." Daryl said handing over some bills to Carol, including a large tip and cash for anything else Merle ordered.
"Or you can hope in the Jeep and I'll drive." Beth suggested. Daryl looked at her. "Right Deep South." Beth said. "What do I do on the bike?" Beth asked walking beside Daryl as they approached the bike.
"You hold on to me and lean into the turns. Don't worry the pack I put on the back when I go camping weighs more than you. Daryl said reaching into the side panel and pulling out a helmet. "You don't get to go helmet free till you've ridden a few times. Believe it or not you might fall getting off the bike. You're legs are going to be weak."
"If I want to just get a few things can we put them in there?" Beth asked accepting Daryl's hand as she slid on to the bike behind him. "I swear just a few things."
"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem." Daryl said backing the bike out of the spot. "Hold on." Beth gripped his shoulders tightly and Daryl stopped and put his feet back down. "Hold my waist." Daryl said waiting for her to move her hands, if she got scared he didn't really want to be strangled. Beth moved her hands down and scooted a bit closer. Jesus Christ Daryl thought to himself. First date nightmare and now he was taking her grocery shopping. He already knew he'd never tell her no and he hadn't even seen her collarbone yet. Just her pretty blue eyes and smile and he knew he'd do whatever she asked him to do. He slowed down. "You recognize this street?" Daryl asked coming to a stop.
"Yeah turn here and the next left is my street." Beth said.
"Alright you come on to this street and go straight." Daryl said pulling away again. He turned at an intersection and again a few streets later, pulling into the Piggly Wiggly. "And here we are." Daryl said parking the bike and letting her off.
"You're going to make me go in all alone?" Beth asked taking off her helmet and handing it to Daryl. She pouted and slowly back stepped towards the doors.
"I was going to wait for you here, I can go in if you want." Daryl said getting off the bike. Beth smiled and put her arm through his and let him lead her to the store. "So on Tuesdays what do you do?" Beth asked grabbing a small basket that Daryl promptly took from her and held it so she could fill it. She added some leaf lettuce, tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers and potatoes.
"I usually work till about 7:00pm." Daryl said holding the basket out while Beth picked out some chicken and bacon before moving on to the dairy section and getting some milk and cheese. "Why?"
"I'm going to cook you dinner tomorrow." Beth said adding some pasta to the basket and moving to the spice aisle. She started throwing different spice bottles into the basket. "I need shortening." Beth said looking up at the ceiling and reading the signs before pulling Daryl into the next aisle and adding it to the basket. "You like chicken and mac and cheese don't you?" Beth asked making her way to the cash. "Oh look at these cute little canvas bags!" Beth squealed putt two on the belt.
"Um, yeah I do." Daryl said loading her stuff from the basket and turning to put it away. Beth handed over a gift card that her Daddy had given her and paid before picking up her bags. Daryl came over and took them from her and led her back to the bike. "You want me to bring anything?" Daryl asked loading the bags on each side and swinging himself on to the bike. He held his hand out and helped Beth on behind him.
"Nope." Beth said sweetly scooting forward and holding on to his waist. "Say around 8pm? Would that give you enough time after work?"
"Should be fine." Daryl said starting the bike up and pulling back into traffic. He rode in silence back to the diner. He'd known this devil on the back of his bike for less than 6 hours and he already had gone on one date and two more were planned. He stopped at a red light and looked to his side. There in his truck was T-Dog, his coworker. Beth had her head pressed into Daryl's back and she was looking the other way, all T-Dog could see was a petite body and a blonde ponytail wrapped around Daryl on his bike. No one ever rode on his bike. T-dog starred with his mouth open and Daryl cussed under his breath.
"What's wrong?" Beth asked lifting her head. The light changed green and Daryl sped through, causing Beth to tighten her grip. He slowed down, sensing her fear and she relaxed again. He had no reason to feel embarrassed. He was single, she was single and of age. Daryl pulled up next to the Jeep and let Beth off. He kicked the kickstand into place and got off the bike and removed her bags. Carol came out on break and lit up a smoke.
"Oh you went shopping together. How cute." Carol said. "I hope he was helpful."
"The perfect Southern gentlemen." Beth said with a smile reaching for her bags. Daryl nodded towards her trunk. Beth opened it and let him place them inside. Daryl reached up and pulled the trunk shut.
"Bad enough you're going to be carrying them in all on your own." Daryl mumbled turning back to his bike. Beth reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Tomorrow at 8pm, right?" Carol stubbed out her smoke and went back inside. Daryl nodded his head. Beth looked around and made sure no one was watching, sensing Daryl was kind of a private person, she leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips before letting him go.
"See you then." Beth said walking over to the driver's side and getting in the car. Daryl stepped back so she could back out of her spot and drive off. After she had turned and pulled away he licked his bottom lip. When had she put on peach lip-gloss? He wondered, getting back on his bike and heading home.