Woo Hoo, It's Wednesday! Thanks so much for reading, following, favoring, and reviewing. I appreciate every bit of it!

Let's see what our sweet couple is up to.

"Did grandpa really threaten to shoot dad?" Jason moved a little closer to where his mother was sitting at the side of the bed.

Nodding, Beth gently smiled at her son. "He did. But, grandpa threatened to shoot all my boyfriends."

Annie looked up from where she was flipping through an old photo album. "You both look so young in these pictures, mom. How long did you and dad date before he asked you to marry him?"

~.~.~

The week after meeting Beth's parents rolled by, much like the three weeks before. He continued to meet his Sweet Pea after school, back behind the parking lot. To go to the library, or the five and dime to hang out in the listening booth, or walking in the park, or even to sit in front of the window at the diner—on the same side of the booth. They always managed to find a quiet spot, to share some sweet kisses. And it was never long enough. Then he would give her a ride home on the back of his bike.

Three times that week he took her all the way up the drive. To the very front of the old farmhouse. Braving Mr. Greene's glares, he helped her off the bike and then walked all the way to the front door with her. Giving her a soft, chaste kiss—on the lips—before she disappeared inside. The other two days, he stopped before he reached the end of the drive. Where they spent fifteen or twenty minutes together. Necking. Before Beth ran up the drive. And it was never enough.

Early Sunday morning, Daryl obediently headed out to the little Methodist church. Wearing his best dark jeans, dark tee, and leather jacket. Carefully buffing his boots with Merle's super-secret polish. Which really did make his boots shine.

Walking inside the front door of the church, he spotted Mr. Greene sitting at the end of a pew, half way up the center aisle, with Beth beside him. On the inside. Looking up at him, Mr. Greene scooted closer to his daughter and motioned for Daryl to sit down on the end of the pew. Beth leaned forward to smile at him from the other side of her father. While Daryl slumped in the pew, for the longest hour he could remember. This sucks.

After church, he followed them back to the farmhouse on his bike. Beth silently shaking her head no, that she couldn't ride back with him, while her dad glared at the both of them. Arriving at the farmhouse, Trixie the fat basset hound began following him the same as the previous week. Fortunately, it was only a few minutes before Mrs. Greene was encouraging everyone to come sit down. Announcing that they would be having a light dinner of soup and sandwiches. Because of the church Box Social.

Leaning low over Beth's head, Daryl whispered. "What's a box social?"

"It's a fund raiser for the church." Clapping her hands together, Beth glanced over her shoulder. "All the girls prepare a lunch for two and pack it in a decorated box or basket. Then, the boxes get auctioned off to the boys. And, whatever box they win, they get to eat with the girl who packed it."

Win a box, an'… "How do you know who packed what box?"

Shrugging, Beth started to move towards the kitchen. Daryl followed her, stumbling over Trixie. "You don't. Well, sometimes a guy can figure it out, or they get a clue from the girl."

"You packin' a box?" Must be why the ole man told me to come prepared, so I could buy Beth's box.

Nodding, her smile growing. "Yep."

"What's it look like?" Gotta make sure I get the right one. The back of his neck starting to warm.

With a last glance back over her shoulder. "I can't tell you that. But… You'll know."

How'm I supposed to know. Shit. His stomach starting to churn. A slight feeling of panic rising in his throat. Maybe she's got her box out already… Stretching to sneak a look in the kitchen, Daryl spotted a red picnic basket and fried chicken cooling on the kitchen counter. With a chocolate cake sitting next to it. Hot damn. Last week the ole man said she got out the red basket. Hope she's packin' the chicken an' cake. Sitting down at the table, Daryl could barely keep his lip from pulling up in a smile when Beth looked across at him. We're gonna have a date at the church tonight. Do ya call it a date when you're at the church? Next week I can take ya out on Saturday, Sweet Pea. For a real date. Just thinking about taking her out the next Saturday almost did him in. But, he stayed in his seat and managed to eat two of Mrs. Greene's grilled cheese sandwiches, two bowls of soup and an apple. That day, Beth didn't take him out to see the baby goats. Instead, after lunch Mrs. Greene suggested he might want to go home and freshen up before the church Box Social. Which he was pretty sure meant she wanted time to get Beth's box packed.

The Social started at 4 pm. Daryl arrived at the church at 3:45, not wanting to miss any time with Beth. Even if it was at church and her parents, well mostly her dad, were going to be there. Hanging around the front of the church, he avoided the gray haired ladies with their tight curls and pursed lips who made him feel like he wasn't good enough to be in their church. Until Mr. Greene pulled into the parking lot in his old green sedan. Letting Mrs. Greene out by the side door, where she scurried inside, her arms full. With a cheery smile, Beth popped out of the car after her mother, a fresh red plaid skirt blowing behind her. She came running over to loop her arm through his.

Leading him back around to another door, how many damn doors this place got? They found their way into the gym. Even though it was early, there was already a crowd gathered. A record player was playing and some younger kids were in the middle of the floor dancing. While all the teens and adults stood around the edges, watching. Beth used the crowd as cover to lean into Daryl's shoulder, while he tried to find her dad in the crowd. Wondering if he had brought his gun with him.

It wasn't too long before the music was turned off and the preacher was walking out to the middle of the gym floor. The crowd parting to make room for him. There were some men following him, carrying a couple long, lumpy tables covered with picnic blankets. And all the rest of the men started to hoot and applaud. Except Daryl, who was starting to feel a little antsy. What if I get outbid. What if she didn't pack the red basket. What if there's two red baskets. Can I buy more than one. Then Mrs. Greene was at Beth's side. Motioning for Daryl to go and sit on the far side of the church gym with the other men, while they went and sat with the women.

Avoiding the chairs that had been set up, Daryl found a place to lean against the wall. His hand going to his left breast pocket. Patting the cigarette pack that was there. Maybe I'll jus'… Then, the preacher was talking about it being time to start the auction. Laying out the rules. That it was an anonymous auction, and every box held a lunch for two. Whatever box a fella won, he got to enjoy the company of the young lady who had packed the box. And, a gentleman could only win one box. Then some guy was walking up to the tables, pulling off the picnic blankets. Both tables were completely covered with boxes and baskets. After taking a couple turns around the tables, the fellow picked up a box, and announced it was time to start the auction.

"Look at this beautiful blue covered box, with the red bow and flower on top. I can the feel the love in this box. Who will start the bidding at $1 for this box of delicious goodies."

A hand went up and a deep voice yelled out. "50 cents." Then another bid, "75 cents. The auctioneer encouraged the bidding, and a third bidder yelled $1. Holding up the box, the auctioneer sniffed the flower, speculating that the young lady who packed that box "no doubt smells as good as the flower". The bidding continued. "1.25" then, "$1.75". Up the bids went, until the first box was won for $3. And the auctioneer moved on to another box.

Daryl leaned against the wall, silently observing the bidding for a few rounds. Herschel Greene won a box for $3, which drew a broad smile from Mrs. Greene. Finally, the auctioneer held up the painted red basket. His shoulders coming away from the wall, Daryl took two steps forwards. Immediately bidding 50 cents. Then, it was $1.00. $2.50. Every time he bid, somebody else would bid it up another 25 cents. Those teenage assholes were too stupid to be afraid of his glares, and kept right on bidding for his Sweet Pea's basket. It was past $3.00, all the way to $4.50 before he finally won. Looking over at Beth, expecting to see a happy smile. Instead, she was holding her hands in her lap. Her mouth slightly open. What's that look? Didn't she want me to bid on her basket.

Hands shoved in his pockets, he moved back to the wall. Watching Beth, instead of the other bidders or the baskets. Until, he saw her shoulders stiffen and she sat up a little straighter. Looking across the floor at where the men were waiting to bid.

Scratching at his chin he tried to discretely look at the auctioneer, to see what box he had. It was white, with drawings of lemon slices on it. And music notes. And the auctioneer was looking at something that was written on the top.

"…and we have a poem here or some song lyrics. It says,

When you hold my hand
I understand
the magic that you do.
You're my dream come true,
my one and only you."

As the auctioneer read, Daryl felt the color draining from his face. That's our song. That's my Sweet Pea's box. Whose box did I buy? Damn, pry got her mama's. Why didn't she jus' tell me that… Damn. The bidding began, with four teenage boys all bidding. When it got to $3.25, he couldn't contain himself any longer. His hand shot up, yelling. "$4!"

Beth, Mr. and Mrs. Greene, a bunch of high school boys, the preacher, and the auctioneer all turning to look at him, his hand still in the air. The auctioneer started shaking his head. "Sorry Mr. Leather Jacket, but you've already won a box. And there is a limit of one. So, we were at $3.25, who else is ready to jump at $4. This is surely a sweet box, filled with all manner of goodies. How about $3.50. Who's looking for their dream?"

Daryl didn't hear how much Beth's box sold for. He was too busy looking across the gym. Trying to get her to look at him, but she was now focused on the floor in front of her. And her face was very pink.

The auction ending, Daryl made his way to the front table with the rest of the men to pay for his painted red basket. Maybe I can trade mine for Beth's. But, like winning two boxes, trades weren't really a thing at the box social.

Minutes later, holding the painted red basket in front of himself, a little girl with thick glasses in round brown frames and a single, long brown braid hanging down her back appeared in front him. Her hands hanging at her side, head tipped back, she looked more scared than anything. She can't be more than ten years old.

"I'm Alice May. That's the basket I brought."

Daryl nodded. "Hey Alice. I'm…"

"It's Alice May."

A slight crease forming between his eyebrows, Daryl nodded. "Right, Alice May. Sorry. I'm Daryl. This is a nice basket." With a quick glance around the gym, he spotted a card table, which still had two open seats. "Come on."

Pushing through the crowd, Daryl headed for the table, hoping Alice May was behind him. Setting the basket on the table, he glanced back over his shoulder. Alice May was standing silently behind him. With what felt like a smile, he pulled out a chair, patting the top of the table. "You sit right here, Alice May."

Sinking into the chair next to her, he resisted the urge to look around the gym for Beth. Instead focusing on Alice May, as she stared at the basket. "Have you packed a box for the… Box social before?"

Her eyes shifting to look up at him. "No. This is the first time my mama thought I was old enough."

Knew it. This is my first time, too. What grade are you in?" Please be high school, please be high school, please high school. Or at least eighth grade.

Blinking up at him, her hands in her lap. The basket still unopened. "Sixth."

Sixth grade. Shit, feel like a damn creeper. Okay, jus' gotta be nice, gonna sit an' talk an' eat whatever's in that basket. "I was in sixth grade. Once." A long damn time ago. "Wanna open that basket. Here we can do it together." His hand looking like an oversized paw next to her little girl hands, they each pulled a basket handle down.

With the basket open, Daryl sat back in his chair. Waiting as Alice May started to pull something wrapped in wax paper from the basket. "I made the celery with peanut butter and raisins. My mama made the…" And her mama was swooping in.

Hissing, "Alice May!" Pulling the basket from Alice May's hands, her mama began grabbing the contents of the basket and slamming them down on the table in front of Daryl. Causing the table to shimmy. The basket empty, mama grabbed Alice May's upper arm and pulled her to her feet. Turning her attention on Daryl. "You are too old and too… Here's what you paid for. My daughter is a respectable young lady, she is Not eating with a biker." And she was off. Basket in one hand, dragging Alice May behind her with the other.

What jus' happened. Slumping in his seat, Daryl stared at the wax paper packages on the table in front of him. Maybe nobody else… The table jostling as the other people sitting there both stood up and taking their food, walked away. Leaving him totally alone. Wishing he was invisible. Reaching for the wax paper, he started stacking the packages without opening them. Maybe I should… His shoulders jerking forward a bit, when a hand slapped his back.

Glancing to the side, Daryl found Mr. Greene was sitting down in the chair to his left. The table doing another shimmy, he turned his head enough to see Mrs. Greene sitting at his right.

With a tiny smile, Mrs. Greene reached in front of him and began unwrapping the wax paper packages. Her voice artificially sweet. "Let's see what…"

"Don't. It's…" Standing, Daryl turned away from them, and started for the closest door. Jus' gonna wait outside. For Beth.

Leaning against his bike Daryl chain smoked two cigarettes, grinding the butts under his boot, before he spotted Mr. and Mrs. Greene walking around the corner of the building. Glad that his eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses, he watched as Mrs. Greene motioned for Herschel to go on to their sedan. Then she headed towards his bike. Shit. Can't ya jus' leave me be.

"Daryl, I have some cold fried chicken and chocolate cake back at the house. I know you didn't eat, so why don't you bring Beth home when she comes out. And, I'll have a plate waiting when you get there." Her fingers reaching up to comb his hair back from his eyes. His head involuntarily pulling back from her touch.

"Pfft. You ain't gotta." I ain't some little kid that got his feelin's hurt. I can take care a myself.

"I know. I want to, We want to." Her head briefly turning towards where Mr. Greene was sitting in their old green sedan, waiting for her. "Don't be too long." Then she was walking to the sedan.

The Greene's sedan joined the line of cars pulling out of the church parking lot. All the older folks and little kids were already leaving. The teens were just starting to come outside. It didn't take long before Daryl saw Beth walking around the side of the building, a tall, lanky boy on her heels. He was one of the boys from school who used to follow her out. What's he want. Before Daryl had a chance to ask, the boy saw him and abruptly turned and headed off in the opposite direction.

Then, her shoes kicking up dust, arms swinging, hair bouncing behind her, Beth started jogging towards him. It seemed like she was running in slow motion, taking forever to reach him, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes. Before she was skidding to a stop in front of him. Hands at her sides, her eyes searching him.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you…" Her voice soft.

Shrugging slightly, Daryl reached for her shoulder. "It don't matter." Jus' gonna pretend it didn't happen.

Then she was falling against him, not seeming to care who saw as her arms snaked around him. Her head tucked under his chin. Bracing himself to avoid falling back against his bike, he carefully nosed into her hair, inhaling her intoxicating lemon scent. His arms circling her, he felt her softness molding against him, and something resembling normal began seeping back into him. It was several minutes before either of them was ready to go back to the Greene's farmhouse.

Slowly heading up the long drive, Beth slid from the back of his bike as soon as he came to a complete stop. Pulling his jacket from her arms, she hugged it to herself, until he was standing in front of her. With a half-smile, for his Sweet Pea, he grabbed his jacket with one large hand. Might as well carry it, just gonna make me take it off inside. Side by side, shoulders bumping, they crossed the scrubby grass and went into the house.

Mrs. Greene met them in the entrance, looking first at Beth, then up at Daryl, before looping her arm around Beth's. Pulling her towards the kitchen, Mrs. Greene glanced back, motioning for Daryl to follow them. Looking around for a moment, Daryl hung his jacket on the coat rack before heading into the kitchen. Trixie, the basset hound, on his heels.

Beth was already sitting at the table, in Mrs. Greene's normal spot. Annette Greene was hustling around loading a plate with food. Daryl and Beth exchanged looks, and tiny smiles, as Mrs. Green slid an overloaded plate onto the table. Next to where Beth was sitting.

"Here. This will get you started. Elizabeth, make sure Daryl gets enough to eat, and don't forget the chocolate cake." Walking back to the counter, Mrs. Greene started taking wax paper wrapped packages from a bag. "I'm going to start…"

Sniffing, Daryl wiped at his chin with the side of his finger. Crossing the kitchen to stand beside Mrs. Greene at the counter. "Is that what…" Alice May brought.

"Ugh, tuna. I'm going to throw these sandwiches away." Refolding the wax paper, Annette dropped the sandwich in the trash. "I'm sorry, Daryl. But, I'm sure this won't be the last time you pay too much for a meal."

"I want…" Looking at the wrapped packages on the counter, he picked out the one that had already been partially opened. Unrolling the celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins on top. "I'll take these."

Mrs. Greene glanced back at Beth, then smiled at Daryl. "We have plenty here, you don't have to…"

"I want 'em." Alice May said she made 'em. Ain't her fault her ma was like that. Beth and Annette both looking at him, then glancing at each other. She was real proud of 'em, an' I ain't jus' throwin' 'em away.

"Okay. Was there anything else…" Mrs. Greene started. But, Daryl was already walking to the table. Sinking into his seat, the celery sticks next to his plate. Tipping his head to meet Beth's gaze, he squeezed her knee under the table. Then handed her a celery stick with peanut butter and raisins, before taking a bite of one himself.

Chewing slowly, Daryl stared at his plate, his hand resting on her knee. Trixie laying on the floor between them, licking the side of his boots. Finishing his celery stick, Daryl pulled his hand free and picked up his fork. Looking over at Beth, their eyes meeting. "You ever see Alice May at school?"

Nodding. "Sometimes. The Junior High is one hallway of the High School."

"Next time you see her, tell I said her celery and peanut butter were real good." Then he was digging into the loaded plate of food in front of him.

Daryl was finishing his second piece of chocolate cake when Herschel Greene found his way into the kitchen. From the corner of his eyes, Daryl saw Mr. Greene pat Beth on the shoulder, causing her to jump out of her chair and leave the kitchen. Then, he heard more than saw, Herschel walk behind him and settle in his regular seat.

A couple minutes passed, with neither man saying a word. I see you, old man. What do want with me now. I did what ya wanted.

"That was nice thing you did, sitting with…"

Laying his fork on the edge of his plate, in the last of the chocolate frosting. "You do that on purpose? You tell me about the painted red basket last week, knowin' that…"

Herschel looked down at his hands, which were folded on the table in front of him. "No. Last week I thought Elizabeth was going to use that basket. I did however…" Pausing, he looked to the side for a moment, his mouth working into a deep frown. "I knew this morning Elizabeth had decorated a different box. And, one of the neighbors was borrowing the red basket. I didn't know it was Alice May's mother."

Looking up at Herschel, for the first time, Daryl stared at him hard. Without saying a word.

"Alice May is… A little slow. Her mother…"

Snorting. That don't matter. "Alice May is a little girl."

His hands flat on the table, Herschel Greene nodded. "You're right. Alice May is a little girl." And without another word, he patted the table a couple times, stood and walked out of the kitchen.

The next week, Daryl kept picking Beth up every day after school, so they could spend a couple hours together before she had to be home. Stopping for 15 minutes at the end of the drive to share hot, hurried kisses which left them both breathless, before driving her all the way up to the end of the long drive. Then walking her to the front door like a proper gentleman, giving her a chaste kiss before she disappeared inside.

On Friday, Mr. Greene was waiting for them, Trixie laying on the porch next to his boots. Before Daryl even had a chance to say a proper good-bye to Beth, good thing we stopped at the end a the drive, Herschel dismissed her. Saying he needed a word with Daryl.

What do you want now, ole man. Been doin' everything you said. Daryl straightened his shoulders, patted his left breast pocket where his cigarettes were, then shoved his hands in his pockets. Waiting for whatever it was Mr. Greene had to say.

The two men stared at each other. After a long minute, Mr. Greene raised his chin an almost imperceptible amount. "I would not object if you took Elizabeth out tomorrow evening."

A slight smile starting at the end of his lips, Daryl nodded. "Yes sir, I'd like to…" Good, we're already plannin' on goin' to…

"I think bowling would be an appropriate Saturday night date." Herschel continued, watching for Daryl's reaction.

Bowling? Hell no. Daryl's smile fading. "Yes sir." When do we get to start plannin' our own dates. This what you meant by courtin'. You doin' everything except go with us. Or are you plannin' on comin' an' keepin' score.

With a satisfied nod, Herschel moved to open the front door. "I'll call Elizabeth. And give you two a few extra minutes to make your plans and say good night."

Saturday night bowling wasn't horrible. It was Daryl's first time in the Ten Pin bowling alley, well any bowling alley actually. And just as he suspected, the rental shoes smelled, they only served draft beer, which tasted like piss, and it was full of high schoolers. Most of whom Beth knew. But on Saturday night, none of that mattered. Because he was with Beth and Saturday night was Moonlight bowling. Which meant all the lights were turned out except the ones directly over the pins. So there were plenty of dim spaces to hold hands and even kiss a little. Plus, Beth looked so darn cute in her pedal pushers, Daryl found himself grinning, like a damn jackass eatin' cactus, every time she got up to bowl. And his form, if that's what you call it, was so bad it made Beth giggle. Which made him almost as happy as looking at her backside in those pedal pushers or the feel of her soft hands on his cheeks. Damn, I'd a lost on purpose if I'd a known you was gonna kiss me like that. Nope, he didn't mind being a shitty bowler at all.

The best part of going to the Ten Pin bowling alley, was when Beth dragged him in the photo booth in the corner and kissed him. Preserving their kisses in four little black and white pictures. Humming, Beth carefully tore the little strip of pictures in half, presenting both halves to Daryl.

"Here, which two do you want?" Her tongue running along the inside of her lip, as she held out the pictures.

Daryl squinted at the pictures, carefully examining them. Immediately eliminating the one that had his huge, rough hand around the back of her neck, his thumb brushing against her cheek. Instead, taking the set where her fingers were on his cheek, her bottom lip sucked in between his. Then, her head tipping back, eyes closed, looking like an angel while he kissed her jaw. "This one." Losing his breath just looking at it. You're perfect. An' ya let me kiss ya. Damn, I can't believe ya let me near ya. And it was all he could do to not kiss her again. Instead, fishing around inside his dark tee, he pulled a metal ball chain out and off over his head. The two metal tags on it slapping him in the face and ears. "Here. It's all I got to give ya."

Slipping her pictures into her purse, Beth took the chain with its two metal tags in her hand. Her nose wrinkling, she pulled the tags close to her face. Examining them. "What are they?"

Shit. What was I thinkin'. She ain't gonna want my nasty old… "My dog tags. I wish I had somethin' better, but…"

A chokey gasp coming from her. "I don't know if I… Are you sure you want…" Her thin fingers winding around the tags, she pulled them close to her heart.

Nodding, his eyes never leaving hers. "Uh huh."

Her knuckles whitening as her fingers tightened around the tags, Beth threw her arms around his neck. Hugging him close.

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Until next Wednesday, xoxo