Chapter 3
Beth-
I held Wyatt close to me as I flipped through my diary.
All I had of Wyatt's father was his first name scribbled on a piece of paper with his address.
I pulled it out and read it to myself. I kissed Wyatt's head, "it's always gonna be just you and me, baby boy. We don't need him or Jimmy, do we?"
He gurgled and I smiled.
"You wanna go see what Paw-Paw and aunt Maggie are doin?"
He gurgled again, "I'll take that as a yes."
I went into the kitchen where Maggie, daddy and Patricia were.
"We're gonna let them stay a while," daddy said, "but just until the boy is completely healed and they have enough supplies to last them the winter."
Patricia took Wyatt while I sat next to daddy and ate breakfast.
"Are you really gonna make them leave?"
"Bethie, I have to. I have to keep my family safe and I can't have strangers staying in our house."
I looked at Maggie and she held her hands up, "I'm with daddy on this. We have to make sure you and Wyatt are taken care of. They'll just take up space, food, all of our supplies."
"You're just gonna send them back out there because you're worried about havin' to take care of them? How very Christian of y'all." I stood and took Wyatt and headed outside.
"Hey sweetie!" Carol said, "aww, you brought the baby out today."
"Yes ma'am. It's nice out here and we can't stay in the house all the time."
She smiled and took his hand, "hey baby," she cooed.
"Beth!"
I turned around to see Maggie headed towards us.
"I'm goin' into town with Glenn. Do you and Wyatt need anythin'?"
"No, not that I can think of."
Lori had walked over too and handed Maggie a list of things the ladies in their group needed.
"Thank you for gettin' those," she said, "none of us really wanted to ask Glenn."
Maggie laughed, "No problem."
When she left Lori and Carol took turns holdin' Wyatt. After a little while, he started cryin' and they handed him back to me.
Lori gently rubbed his cheek, "I think he's hungry. Where do you keep his formula? I'll fix him a bottle."
"Oh...um...," I could feel my face turning red, "he's not on bottles. I'm nursing."
They both smiled.
Carol put her hand on my shoulder, "Sweetie, it's nothin' to be embarrassed of. It's completely normal."
"I know. I just...I'm...," I started.
Lori gently took my arm, "let's get y'all inside so he can eat. And Beth, don't worry. With the world the way it is now, it's better that he's nursing."
I was a little happy that they were there. Until now the only women who were around to reassure me that I was doin' the right thing was Maggie and Patricia. And neither one of them had kids so havin' two mothers there was nice.
Daryl-
I was comin' back from lookin' for Sophia when I saw 'er with Carol an' Lori an' it looked like she was holdin' tha baby.
In that moment I let one thought cross my mind, one I'd been tryin' not ta think of since I found out she had a kid. Is it mine?
I let it stay there for a minute. "Hell naw man, it ain't yours. It's been too long for it ta be yours." I told myself.
I walked on to tha camp an' started cleanin' tha few squirrels I got.
"Any signs of Sophia?" Rick asked.
"Naw. I'ma go back out tomorrow. How's tha boy?"
"He's...Hershel said he's gettin' better. He should be able to walk around in a few days."
I nodded an' went back ta cleanin' tha squirrels but he didn't leave.
"Somethin' on ya mind?" I asked.
"Uh...yeah. I haven't talked to Shane or any of the others yet but Hershel wants us to leave as soon as Carl's better. What do you think we should do?"
I shrugged, "Ain't my choice but I tell ya what, I ain't goin' far. I gotta find Sophia an' get 'er back ta Carol. If we gotta leave, then we leave but I'ma keep lookin' 'round here."
"I just wanted to know what you thought. I'm gonna try to talk him into lettin' us stay. At least until after winter."
"It's up ta you."
By tha time I finished with the squirrels, Lori an' Carol had returned an' took tha meat ta cook.
I climbed on top of tha RV an' looked 'round. I needed a way ta cover more ground, then maybe I'll find 'er.
I couldn't use anythin' 'round here ta search tha woods.
I scratched my head an' looked out over the Greene's pasture where their horses were grazin'.
Horses. I could use one of 'em. I could cover more ground an' still be able ta track.
That's what I'd do.
I climbed back off tha RV an' headed ta tha stables. I wasn't gonna go right now but I'd need ta have access ta tha horses an' anythin' else I'd need.
I searched tha tack room, stalls an' shelves for anythin' useful. But I didn't find anythin'.
I was walkin' out when she came in with the horse Maggie and Glenn had used on the run.
"Hi," she said cheerfully, "Can I help you with somethin'?"
"Naw, jus' lookin' 'round."
She stared at me for a minute, "Well, okay but you know it's not nice to snoop, right?"
"I wasn't. I was lookin' for some things I could use tomorrow."
She busied herself with the horse but she continued to talk, "You're goin' to look for Carol's daughter again?"
"Yeah."
"What'd you need?"
"Um..maybe some rope. 'Case I need it."
"Alright," she walked away an' came back with some rope. She smiled when she handed it to me, "if you need anythin' else, just let me know."
"Aight."
I walked away feelin' relieved she didn't seem ta recognize me.
I was leavin' tha stalls when I heard her start singin'.
"Cottonwood fallin' like snow in July Sunset, riverside, 4 wheel drives In a tail light circle
Roll down the windows, turn it on up Pour a little crown in a dixie cup Get the party started
Girl, you make my speakers go boom boom Dancin' on the tailgate in a full moon That kinda thing makes a man go mmm hmmm You're lookin' so good in what's left of those blue jeans Drip of honey on the money make her gotta be The best buzz I'm ever gonna find Hey, I'm a little drunk on you And high on summertime"
I stopped an' listened. I know that song.
"If you ain't a 10 you're a 9.9 Tippin' n' spillin' that home-made wine On your tied up T-shirt Every little kiss is drivin' me wild Throwin' little cherry bombs into my fire Good God almighty
Girl, you make my speakers go boom boom Dancin' on the tailgate in the full moon That kinda thing makes a man go mmm hmmm You're lookin' so good in what's left of those blue jeans Drip of honey on the money make her gotta be The best buzz I'm ever gonna find Hey, I'm a little drunk on you And high on summertime"
We listened ta that song that night.
"Let's slip on out where it's a little bit darker And when it gets a little bit hotter We'll take it off on out in the water
Girl, you make my speakers go boom boom Dancin' on the tailgate in a full moon That kinda thing makes a man go mmm hmmm You're lookin' so good in what's left of those blue jeans Drip of honey on the money make her gotta be The best buzz I'm ever gonna find Hey, I'm a little drunk on you And high on summertime
Yeah, I'm a little drunk on you"
["Drunk on You" by Luke Bryan]
Fuck! I hauled ass outta there. She does remember!
A/N: Thank y'all so much for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting! Y'all are amazing!
*paw-paw is what my family always called my grandpa. :)