Fights, arguments, screaming … what the hell was going on outside? Beth rises from her bed and walks over to the window. She looks out to the camp where the group lives and sees Lori and Rick yelling and screaming at one another … again. Shaking her head, she crawls back into bed and lays there. Try as she might, she can't fall back to sleep.
She gets up and pulls her boots on. She heads out the door, down the hall and down the stairs. "Hey beautiful," Patricia calls from the kitchen. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," she mumbles as she walks to the screen door. She pushes it open and walks out onto the porch, climbing into the swing. She begins to rock gently back and forth, watching and listening the muffled tones of the argument still in progress.
"I don't see how those two ever got along," Patricia muses as she comes out. "Here, want some tea?"
"Sure." She takes the glass and drinks part of it, sitting it on the table beside her. She watches Rick throw his hands up and start walking towards the house. "Patricia, will you get Rick a glass of tea?"
"Sure honey, you think he's coming up here?"
"I hope so," she whispers. "He's heading this way."
"He's dangerous territory girl," Patricia says and heads inside.
Rick stalks up on the porch and turns to look back out over the group. Patricia walks out and hands him some tea. "Have a seat on the swing and cool off."
"Thanks," he mumbles and turns to see Beth sitting there. "Hi."
Patricia excuses herself back inside as he sits beside her. "Hi."
"How are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks."
"Hope we didn't wake you up."
"Lori's voice could wake the soundest of sleepers."
"That she can."
Beth looks at him as she reaches for his hand. "Are you all right?"
He looks down as she tentatively touches his hand. "I'm trying to be." He sets the glass down, leans back and takes her hand into his.
They sit quietly on the swing, gently rocking in the breeze with their hands clasp together. Hershel comes walking out onto the porch and sees them sitting there. "I thought it got quiet in a hurry."
"Patricia gave me some tea. I am sorry about the arguing, Lori needed to vent."
"Some venting," Hershel huffs as he sits in the rocker. "How are you feeling Beth?"
"Fine daddy," she replies.
"It's nice here on the porch," Hershel muses, noticing their hands.
"Very nice," Beth adds.
"Yea it is," Rick smiles. "I never had a porch like this."
"It's really nice in the fall, you can sit here and almost watch the leaves turn."
"This is so different from King's County. It's slower here … restful … peaceful."
"That it is," Hershel replies. "Maybe you should spend more time on the porch and less out in the hot."
"Maybe I should," Rick smiles, picking up his tea and taking a drink.
"Beth, why don't you and Rick help Patricia make dinner tonight."
"I don't want to intrude," Rick comments.
"It wasn't a request."
"We'd better go inside before he rethinks his offer," Beth whispers to him.
They rise, taking their glasses and walk into the house, still holding hands.