Chapter Notes:
This is the chapter that starts it all. This is where Carol is presented an opportunity that will change her life.
It was Thursday again, and Carol and a now three week old Sophia were wandering the aisles. Only this time Carol was sporting a pair of dark sunglasses to cover her still fading black eye. She had gotten groceries already, and was about to hit up the diaper section again. She came around the corner and saw that man again. The one that had helped her last week. This time he was stocking baby clothes. She went right by him and into the diaper aisle. This was the part that she had been dreading. Ed had only allotted $18.00 for diapers this week. Last week they were just under twenty. Sophia needed every single one of the 104 diapers found in the pack she bought before to last the week. She wasn't sure what she was going to do. All she could hope was that there was a sale going on or something. She stopped by the diapers and immediately started to panic. She was greeted by a sign that indicated the fact that cost of diapers had actually gone up to $20.54. Even the $20.00 she was allotted last week would not have done her any good. Se didn't know what to do. So she stood there, the panic within her chest growing.
She could not go home without the diapers. Ed was adamant about the 104 count (which Sophia actually did need) and the $18.00 she was allowed to spend on them. Her panic was still building. It was to the point now where it felt like a building was sitting on her chest. She didn't even realize it as she started letting out small whimpering noises in fear. What in Christ's name was she supposed to do now?
Daryl had seen the woman walk past with her baby and into the diaper aisle. He wished he hadn't just stocked it. He would have loved to have to help her again. For whatever reason, he hadn't been able to get this woman out of his head the whole week. He was getting better at talking to people now, his shyness getting lesser and lesser. Taking this job and forcing himself to talk to people had been hell at first, but eventually it worked. He could now carry on conversations with strangers confidently. He wanted his next conversation to be with her.
Suddenly his keen ears picked up a sound of whimpering. There were lots of kids in the store, but this didn't sound like a kid. Remembering his thoughts last week about how she had to have been hurting, he briskly walked over to the diaper aisle. He found her there cradling her sleeping baby and crying. He also noticed that she was wearing dark sunglasses. Indoors no less. Flashbacks to his own mama doing the same after a particularly bad beating from his daddy roared through his head. His heart broke for her, and he found himself wanting to once again be able to help her.
"Scuse me miss. Can I help you with something?"
Carol startled at the question and tried to hide her tears.
"Are you ok?" He asked quietly.
"Fine, thanks."
"Is the baby ok?"
"Sophia is just fine, aren't you darling?" she responded.
"Do you need some help loading up diapers?"
"I can't . . . I don't have . . . I guess I'm not buying diapers today" she said in a defeated tone.
He had crept up beside her and saw the list on the cart. It plainly said diapers – 104 pack - $18.00. Lower on the piece of paper he had spied in angry letters "Don't go one fuckin' cent over the allottment per item Carol. You know I will blacken the other eye if you do."
She saw that the man had seen what was written on her list and was immediately ashamed. She was ashamed that this nice man now knew what an asshole she was married to. The fact he knew shouldn't bother her so much with him being a stranger, but it did.
Daryl couldn't believe what he was about to do. Slowly as not to startle her he gently lifted her dark glasses off her face. She gasped, but didn't stop him. When he saw her face it was his turn to gasp. He titled his head at the note on the list. "I am assuming the prick who wrote that did that to your face. Since you are wearing a ring, I am also assuming said prick is your husband."
She didn't say anything.
He sighed and then noticed the baby was asleep again in Carol's arms. Well, I am assuming you're Carol?
She just nodded, but wouldn't meet his eyes.
You don't know me Carol, but I promise you can trust me. Follow me, and we will get this diaper shit figured out.
He led Carol back to the double doors that go into the stock room. He had her wait just outside a moment. When he came back, he had a package of diapers – the exact ones she was supposed to buy – in his hands.
"That will ring up as $16.42 at the register. Reckon that ought to help ya out in ya situation."
"I'm thankful uh (she looked at his nametag) Daryl, but I don't want you to get into trouble over me."
He snorted at that. "Didn't do nothin' wrong to get me into trouble Carol. See, the manufacturers ship out pallets of crates of diapers. Some get pierced with the forklift accidentally. The damaged diapers are thrown away, but we repackage the good ones and sell them at 20% off. Most employees with kids snag those before they ever hit the shelves. Just lucky we had one in back. See? The cardboard is sealed just like it was before. You can't even tell anything happened."
"Well, that's mighty sweet of you Daryl. I think you just saved Sophia and I from a ruined evening."
She smiled at him then. A genuine smile, one that she had not felt unless it involved her precious Sophia.
"It's just a thing Carol. I understand where you are coming from more than you even know."
With that he turned to walk away, but stopped. Without turning around he added "I work every Tuesday and Thursday here. Baby area. Stop by to chat next time you're in."
"I'm only allowed to come on Thursdays. I will look for you then, I promise."
He went to leave again, but stopped again, this time turning to face her. He wore a kind expression but inside he was livid as hell "Carol, if I ask a question to you, will I get an honest answer?"
"I suppose I owe the man who is helping Sophia and I out that."
"Where did you get the black eye? I mean, I know what happened, but I need you to tell me."
"The other day, I made a mistake. Ed my husband had warned me about not doing something. I did it anyway. He got mad so now I look like this." She couldn't believe she was telling a total stranger this, but damn did it feel good to say it out loud."
"A mistake? What kind of mistake makes the husband of a woman who has just given birth think he can do that?
She answered something but it was so mumbled and quiet that he didn't catch what it was.
"Pardon?"
"I burned his toast the other morning. He likes his made in the oven instead of a toaster. Sophia started crying to I left the kitchen to get her. By the time I was back, the kitchen was smokey."
"Sounds bout right. Sounds like something my daddy would have done to my mama. Listen, I am part of a group that gets women away from situations like that. But you've got to be ready to leave. Are you ready to leave Carol?"
"I really want to. More than anything. I am just scared that I won't be able to put a roof over her head or provide for her alone. So, I'm stuck."
"No you're not. Hold up, let me call somebody back here. Before she could protest he was on his walkie talke asking for somebody named Merle and somebody named Maggie. "You just hold tight there woman. We'se gonna help ya. We've all been where you are – in abusive situations. Now we get others out and help them financially until they can get on their feet. Only rule is that once you are settled that you pay it forward and get another person out and to join our group. We are all better together.
Just then Merle and Maggie walked in. Daryl did the introductions of them all, even Sophia. Then he started explaining things.
"Merle here is my brother. He works security here. Maggie is our friend. She works in the children's department. You already know I work in the baby area. We all are abuse victims in one way or another. We choose to work the departments we do so we can spot any women in crisis. And damn girl, you are married to a crisis."
Daryl then went on to explain to Merle and Maggie what he had seen about Carol the last two weeks.
It was then that Merle piped up. "You gotta be ready to leave though sugar. You gotta leave and don't go back."
Maggie added "It will be harder than you think to leave. That's one of the reasons we help each other through things. Makes not going back easier if you have a whole group of people who look out for you. Most of us are like family now."
"You just need to tell us you are ready to leave. Are you ready to leave, Carol?" Daryl asked.
She looked at their faces. She knew they were telling her the truth. She wanted out so badly. All she had to do was say yes.
Carol looked straight into Daryl's captivating blue eyes and said "Yes. I am ready."
Maggie hugged her and said "welcome to our family."
Chapter Summary:
Next time we will see Carol's escape.
