Thanks everyone for sticking around! I really am blown away.
Shane's elbows were rested on his thighs. He was perched on the coffee table, facing Shawn. Rick had excused Maggie, much to her dismay, and now he stood back watching the boy nervously shuffle around in his seat.
"Look, son," Shane began. "I know how things may seem right now, huh?" He gave a sympathetic sigh and leaned back, clasping his fingers together. "Thing is- this is a small town and there's rumors goin' 'round. Rumors about you…and maybe…I dunno," he shrugged, "Merle Dixon and methamphetamines?" Shane waited for a response as Rick stood back, letting him take lead.
"Well. I mean, I know Merle," Shawn admitted. His eyes darted between the policemen in front of him. "But, I swear, I don't know anything about meth." Shawn looked down at his fingers, fiddling in his lap before shoving them in his armpits.
Rick sat down on the opposite side of the couch and peered over at Shawn. "What I don't understand," he began, "is how you got mixed up in all this." Rick tilted his head and waited for an answer. When none came, he continued, "I know all about Merle Dixon. Hell, I knew his father Will before he drank himself into the ground. There aint nothin' good gonna come outta this. People talk. It's a small town, Shawn."
Shane sighed a theatrical sigh and looked to Rick, who nodded in return. Rick got up and made his way to the door, expecting Shane to say something else. He was proven right when Shane stood up, and leaned toward the boy on the couch.
"See, I know there's somethin' goin' on. I may not have caught ya yet, but I'm willing to bet that you're gonna slip up. Guys like you always do." Shane made his way to the door slowly, hoping his words would sink in.
As soon as they left, Shawn leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
Daryl chuckled at what that girl had said about Merle. He hadn't wanted to, that was for sure. She pinned Merle down in one sentence, and it told him that she was observant. A good trait. He didn't think he was comfortable with her, but he wasn't necessarily uncomfortable, either.
He heard her sigh and he watched as she rested her head on the seat. "Daryl? I'm…I'm sorry for what I said. I guess it was just the first thing that came ta mind." Her lips pursed, and her brows were knitted together when she turned to him. "I mean, I didn't wanna put you on the spot, like I did. Sorry. It's pretty stupid. I mean…you and me?"
For some reason he bristled at her words. Of course she'd think it's stupid. Nobody like her would ever want to be associated with the likes of him, even if it's make-believe. He could feel himself getting all torqued up, getting on the defensive.
"You're damn right it's stupid. Don't need no farmer's daughter tryin' to help out. Whatcha think, huh? Think you gonna save everybody?" He turned they key in the ignition, but as he went to put the truck in reverse, she said something loud enough to get his attention.
"That's so stupid!" Her eyes narrowed at him, "You think that's what this is? I was tryin' to keep us all outta trouble. But I guess you don't need me, right? Well, FINE. It aint like we gotta keep it up." She huffed and turned back to the windshield.
He didn't give her another look before slamming into reverse and peeling out of there.
They sat simmering next to each other until they reached Beth's road. She was more than willing to hop out right there until she noticed the police cruiser come toward them. Daryl and Beth froze as they watched the cruiser slow just slightly, Shane smiling and giving them a little salute before passing.
Daryl didn't have to see her to know she physically deflated. He briefly thought that maybe he was a little harsh on her. She wasn't used to having the law giving her a second glance, or having to deal with the likes of him and his brother. She was quick thinking and helped them out of a jam. His eyes flicked to rear view mirror to check if they were gone. Satisfied, he continued down the road and stopped at the gate.
"Daryl? Could I ask you a favor?" Beth seemed hesitant. "Could you maybe not sell anything to my brother? I don't know how it all works, like, if he has to pay his debt first. But, you know…" She shrugged her shoulders and scooted closer to the door. She pulled the handle and went to step out before Daryl caught her attention.
"Hey, look," Daryl started as he chewed his bottom lip. "This shit's all Merle. I'll talk to him." He wanted to say more, but he wasn't sure what else he could add.
Beth took a moment to study him, and Daryl could feel himself tense up. He noticed her slight smile when she said, "Thanks, Daryl." She hopped out, and as she turned to close the truck door their eyes locked onto each other, and he was almost certain there was hesitancy on her part to shut the door.
Daryl hadn't meant to be there long enough to watch her open the gate and walk away, but he couldn't help it. She got under his skin in a way he couldn't explain, and he didn't even realize he was staring until she turned her head around and caught him. He ducked his eyes, and turned the truck around as quickly as he could.
