A/N Thanks so much everyone! This is a big chapter for our couple. Things...well things may take a little turn. Hang on.
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He may never have drawn his lips away if not for the sounds of voices and laughter getting closer. Whoever they are they must be walking up the path in the couple's direction. Yet even though he draws his lips from hers his face is still just inches from Beth's. His hands rest lightly on her shoulders and he just can't seem to stop looking at her pretty face. Her eyes are still closed, her cheeks flushed and she has the tiniest of grins when she asks him, "Why did you stop kissing me Daryl?"
He can't help the soft chuckle when he answers, "Well it ain't cuz I wanted to," then gives in to his impulses and hugs her close, "I don't wanna take a chance on folks seein' us kissin' whether we know em or not."
She nods, she knows now just how old fashioned he can be and she likes that. She's old fashion too. She lets out a soft sigh and reluctantly agrees, "Of course. I know you're right." Still she's disappointed, she was hoping he'd never stop kissing her. She brightens up a little when she asks, "Perhaps we can find a spot to sit and talk?"
In all the imaginings she's ever conjured up of what her first kiss would be like, never did she dream of anything so special. It was so romantic and it felt so tender and loving. She can still feel the warmth and the way her body seemed to tingle when their lips met. She wishes the whole world could know they found each other and how special it is. She hates that she and Daryl have to hide and be sneaky about their affections, but there doesn't seem to be a choice.
Still, she does have something to smile about. She appreciates the romance that's evident in his willingness to try so hard to protect her. She wonders if he's even aware of what an honorable and gentlemanly person he is. Probably not.
He nods, "Yeah, I'd like that." Never did he ever think he'd enjoy sitting and talking with anyone. It mostly sounds like a big waste of his time, and kind of like torture. Everything's just so different with her. He's anxious to talk with Beth and find out more about her. Where she comes from, who her people are and what she wants out of this life.
She has so many questions for this man. Just imagine, she's allowed him to hold her and kiss her and yet she doesn't know anything about him at all. Not really. She knows his name and that he was a soldier. She knows he works for the city and he mentioned his brother. And she knows that the bounty he brings them is proof of his hunting and fishing skills. The only other thing she knows is that, when he held her and kissed her it was the most wonderful feeling she's ever felt.
They walk slowly along the small footpath until they come to an empty bench. It's partially shaded from both the sun and onlookers by an abundance of low tree branches and large flowering shrubs. He suggests, "This here looks like a good spot, whaddya think?"
"Yes, let's sit a while." They settle in close, closer than propriety might say is polite, but they have to. They're compelled to. Their thighs are pressed against each other and although she knows she shouldn't allow it, it's just how she wants it to be. She's in no mood to deny herself or Daryl the pleasure of this closeness.
He asks first, "Ya got that certain way of talkin' that makes me think ya mighta grown up in the country. Where ya from?"
She smiles at the notion this man notices the little things, "You're right, I am a country girl. I grew up about ten miles east of Albany…" She goes on to tell him the story of how the farm was lost and how that necessitated her family moving in with her uncle.
He nods, "Seems ta be a lot of that goin' around these days."
"Daddy lost the farm long before that wall street place fell, and before the banks locked their doors and kept everyone's money. It was the boll weevils and the dry weather, and it seemed almost like the land got tired and didn't want to produce crops anymore."
She looks so sad and he reacts to that look by taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "I'm sorry Sweetheart, it seems folks in Georgia been havin' it hard since the war." They're eyes open wide as at the same moment they realize, he's just used a term of endearment.
He wonders, has he taken too bold a step? But when she looks up at him and smiles he knows she liked hearing it as much as he liked saying it. He continues with his questions, "So what did ya do after the farm?"
She wants to begin her reply with her own endearment, "Honey…" but she's just not quite as bold. Instead she goes forward with her story, telling him of how they moved in with her uncle, about the loss of her Mama and how her brother and sister left. She has no false pride, she's honest about the impoverished circumstances under which she, her father and her uncle have been living for years.
He hasn't let go of her hand and she does muster the courage to do something she's wanted to, she softly squeezes his hand with affection as she smiles at him again. He smiles back and asks, "So how'd ya end up here in this place, workin' for Horvaths?"
She tells him the story of her visit with Miss Olivia and how the preacher's wife convinced her Daddy to let her come to Atlanta. "I may not care for the rule that keeps us apart Daryl, but I so appreciate the Horvath's and everything they've done for me. For the first time in as long as I can remember I have clothes that aren't worn thin from use, that aren't faded and don't have tears or patches. I have two pair of shoes and nice smelling soap and lotion. When I wake up in the morning I have the comfort of knowing I won't go to bed hungry that night. And I'm so grateful to be able to send my Daddy a dollar or two every week."
She's the sweetest in every way. He hates that she lived so long without those things and he can't stand the idea of her going hungry. Yet even though he too is grateful to the Horvath's that she isn't going without, he can't help wishing she didn't have to work so hard and that there weren't any rules to keep them apart.
She shrugs slim shoulders and says, "That's just about everything there is to tell about me. I'm not exactly an exciting person. I'm just a farmgirl who came to Atlanta trying to find a better life, like so many other farmgirls these days."
He's gazing into her eyes as his fingers glide softly along her arm, and he disagrees, "No, there ain't no one like you Beth Greene. You're a lot more than just a farmgirl. You're sumthin' real special."
Her cheeks are glowing, her heart is fluttering and he'd swear there's a little sparkle in her eyes when she says, "I'm tired of talking about myself Daryl. I want to know about you. I can tell by the manner of your speech you're not from around here. I think you're from the country too, maybe the hills?"
The last thing he wants is to talk about himself. There's nothing good to tell. Yet as reluctant as he is he knows he needs to be a man about this. He needs to be as honest with her as she's been with him. "I guess you could tell right away I'm a yokel, huh?"
"Daryl, don't call yourself that, that's a mean word."
He holds back a laugh when he replies, "Well I guess I never thought of it quite that way. Anyhow, we was dirt poor and hungry mosta the time. That's one of the reasons I started huntin' and fishin', cuz I's hungry. I told ya home wasn't too good and about how I joined the army. I went in cuz life was mostly terrible livin' with my Dad. That was another reason I started huntin' and fishin', it got me away from him."
He swallows every ounce of reluctance. He told himself he'd be honest with her and he is, "My Mama died when I's eight and not long after that my brother, Merle, left home ta go off and do the things he does. There was just me and my Dad. He didn't have anyone else there ta beat on 'cept me. I's sick of bein' knocked around for no good reason and I'd been wantin' out for years. That's why I lied ta Uncle Sam and joined the fight."
He'd swear there are tears in her eyes and her little hand is squeezing his harder. He shrugs, "Hey Sweetheart, I'm fine. I didn't have it no worse than some other fellas did. The army was full of young guys takin' the same escape route I did."
"Anyway, one a my army buddies and me, when we got out his Uncle helped us a lot. He got us job interviews with the city and we both got hired on. Me n him got ourselves an apartment ta share and I saved all the money I could for a long time. About five years ago I bought my place. It needed a lotta work but I've been gettin' after it and it's comin' along pretty darn good. Should be ready soon."
She looks happier now, she even smiles when she says, "Oh I'd love to see it someday."
He doesn't hesitate to reply, "Really? I'd like that a lot. We could walk the land and I'd take ya fishin' on the pond." The pond? The words have her dream coming into full view again. He smiles, "All I gotta do is figure out how ta sneak ya away from Horvath's for a whole day."
"That would be so wonderful." She asks then, "If you had an apartment then why are you at Horvath's Daryl?"
"My roommate he got his girl umm…well him and his sweetheart wanted ta marry. He was gonna look for a new place but that didn't seem right. I said I'd be the one ta move."
"That was very kind of you."
"Well I knew I's gonna be movin' out in a few months anyway so I got a room at Horvath's and I took mosta my things out ta my place."
Then she asks what to him is the toughest thing, "So tell me about your brother, Merle."
He chews at his bottom lip before speaking. He wants to keep the story as short and simple as he can, but then again he wants to just tell her and get it over with. If she's going to hate him because of the things his brother did, it seems like it might be easier to lose her now rather than fall harder and then lose her.
"Merle, he's older than me, 10 years. My first memories of him he was already full grown and for a while he was like my hero. If he was around he protected me and Mama from the old man. Trouble was he started bein' around less and less." Then he admits something to her he's never even admitted to himself, "After Mama died I guess I's mad at him for leavin' me there alone. I ain't sure I ever forgave him for that."
He catches himself, shrugs his shoulders and continues, "Merle has a way of findin' trouble, and trouble has a way a findin' Merle, but I guess the person he always ends up hurting most is his own self." He holds her hand a little tighter hoping it will calm his nerves, and tells her, "He's been in trouble with the law a few times and…I ain't gonna lie to ya Beth, for a long time he got ta where he couldn't stop hittin' the pipe, sorry, I mean smokin' opium. He has a problem staying away from pot too."
She's heard of opium, it's a very dangerous substance the preacher warned about in Sunday school, but, "What is pot?"
"Marijuana, ya heard a that?"
"Yes, I've heard it called that. I never knew of anyone actually trying those things. Aren't they dangerous? And I heard you just have to try it one time and then you can never live without it again. Is that true?"
He puts it in the nicest way he can, "It ain't quite that powerful, but yeah, folks develop a taste for it I guess. That's Merle's problem. He's tried before, but he's had a lotta trouble tryin' ta quit usin' that stuff. It ain't just that either. Wantin' the drugs and needin' the money ta buy them caused him ta do other things he shouldn't have been doin'."
Instead of acting shocked or angry she says, "That's so sad Daryl. I'm very sorry for him and I'm going to include him in my prayers."
Her sweetness gets him every time. He thought she'd be disgusted or at the least she'd be disappointed, and at the worst she'd tell him she never wants to see him again. It's like the weight of the world has been lifted off him, "That's real nice Beth." He smiles when he asks, but she has him wondering, "Ya ever say a prayer for me?"
"Of course I do Daryl, I pray for you every day."
"Nah, you're kiddin'."
The words and the courage come from someplace deep inside her heart, "Daryl, didn't I allow you to kiss me just an hour ago? At this very moment aren't I sitting way too close to you and holding your hand? If I'm your Sweetheart then you're my Sweetheart, and it would only be right that I would pray for you always."
He forgets they're in public just long enough to lean in and kiss her cheek, "I never been anyone's Sweetheart Beth, an I'm sure no one ever prayed for me."
She covers his hand with hers and says, "Oh I'm sure your Mama prayed for you every day. I'm sure the army chaplain did too and many of your soldier friends. You just don't know all the people who have prayed for you is all."
"Maybe."
"I know it's true. So where is Merle now?"
He's still a little taken aback that she isn't more upset about Merle's ways, but then she hasn't met the big blowhard. "He just moved over this way. He was livin' near Columbus, that's where he met his wife, Carol, and now they've moved down this way. Since he's been with her he's quit messin' with the drugs and he's got hisself a good job startin' tomorrow."
"Oh that's wonderful news. So they're newlyweds?"
It's so hard not to be honest with her, but it's Merle's or Carol's place to tell about the marriage stuff, not his. "I guess you could say that. Anyway, they just got a place this past Thursday and got moved in on Friday. I only met her and her little girl yesterday. She seems like a real nice lady and she's got a strong enough spirit. I'm thinkin' she might be the one ta keep Merle on the straight and narrow. That little girl of hers is real sweet too."
"A little girl? Oh how wonderful. What's her name? How old is she?"
He's smiling at the way her eyes lit right up when he mentioned the little girl, "I guess ya like children, huh? Her name's Sophia and she's seven years old. She'll be startin' second grade in just a few days."
"Oh gosh, how sweet. I hope I get to meet her sometime."
His hand gently cups her cheek when he says, "I hope ya do too Sweetheart and I'ma try n think of a way. Whaddya say we get up n walk around a little more?"
"Yes, all right Daryl."
He stands and extends his hand to her, she takes it and when she's safely on her feet he crooks his elbow, inviting her to take his arm. She smiles up at him as she slips her arm through his, and he smiles back as he sets the pace and they slowly begin strolling arm in arm along the path.
It's not his way. Walking has a simple purpose, it's a means of getting from one place to the other. At least it's always been that way. Things have changed. He's never enjoyed walking as much as he's enjoying it with her on his arm.
They're only making small talk and yet they're engrossed in each other's every word as they amble along. Before they know what's happened the daylight has begun to fade. "Oh no! Daryl, I need to get home. Miz Horvath knows I would never stay out after dark."
"Don't worry, I'll drive ya. It'll be faster."
"But Daryl, what if we get caught? I'll lose my job."
"I can drop ya off a block away and watch til ya get in the door. Once your safe inside I'll drive around a while before comin' in."
"Oh my, you are a sneaky one."
Never in his life has he winked at a woman, but he winks at her when he says, "Gotta be if I wanna spend time with my Sweetheart."
He's rewarded with that pretty pink blush and the words, "Well then I suppose I'm happy you're so sneaky."
He helps her in the truck and she tells him, "Oh my Daryl, this is so fancy. I've never been in such a new vehicle."
He's proud to have a nice truck and her words have him smiling when he says, "I'm glad ya like it Beth. A good truck is sumthin' I always wanted ta own." Then he asks hopefully, "Ya think I could have another kiss before I take ya home?"
She doesn't need to think about her answer, "Yes." And it's the only word he needed to hear. They scoot closer on the bench seat as he wraps his arm across her back. They smile shyly at each other and then he leans in and gives her a tender kiss, but this time it's different. She feels the tip of his tongue softly teasing her lips.
The ride goes too quickly, it's not like the streetcar at all. He pulls up to the curb, turns to her and says, "I hate ta leave ya off here, but I'll be watchin', k?"
"Okay, yes, I'll be just fine Daryl, thank you."
He's chewing his bottom lip as he nods and gets down from the truck. He hurries to her side and with strong hands clutching her waist he doesn't simply help her down, he lifts her down.
"Okay, good night Daryl."
"G'night Sweetheart."
His eyes never leave her as she walks toward Horvaths. It's not that he's worried, it just feels so wrong. It doesn't seem right to let her out of the truck and make her walk herself home. He doesn't care for it. A man ought to walk his Sweetheart to her door and see her safely in. Shit.
He tries not to think about all that and instead to think about the day they had. Sitting on the bench together and talking. Even though telling some of the things he had to tell wasn't easy, for once he actually enjoyed talking to someone. Strolling with her arm in arm while they talked a little more, and the way he could feel her leaning her small body into his, the kissing and the touching. It was all so much more than he dared to hope for.
She turns to look his way before walking in the house and although he's sad to see her go, he smiles about something else he'll not soon forget. Right there on the park bench she said those words with her own pretty lips. She told him that she was his Sweetheart and that he was her Sweetheart.
Just recalling it now has his heart thumping again.
She walks in the door surprised to see Miss Erma in the front room, and the woman questions, "Why Beth, Dear I was getting concerned. It's not like you to stay out so late. You didn't have any trouble did you?"
Beth can feel the color in her cheeks. She hates that she's so quick to flush. She might think it was caused by the sudden wave of guilt, except it seems to happen no matter the circumstance. It happens when Daryl just looks in her eyes. She shakes that thought from her mind and replies, "I'm so sorry I worried you. I was having such a lovely walk in the park and enjoying the pretty flowers, I guess I just lost all track of time." She tells herself it's not a lie, that's exactly how it happened.
"Of course Dear Girl, but you be careful about the time, nothing good ever happens to young ladies out alone after dark."
Beth can only answer, "Yes Ma'am, thank you Ma'am," before hurrying to her room.
It's only six in the evening but she doesn't care about the time, she has important things to do. She gets her gown and robe and hurries to the bathroom, readying herself for bed. Back in her room she gets the diary and excitedly begins to write about their day. She decides it's going to take pages and pages as she writes every detail no matter how small or inconsequential.
When she finally completes the entry she writes his name in the center of the following page, and then surrounds it with drawings of tiny hearts. She looks at her work and whispers to herself, "Daryl Dixon has my heart."
Again that evening Aaron knocks on Daryl's door and asks, "Can we talk a minute?"
"Yeah sure, c'mon in." Uh oh, now what? As they sit he asks the visitor, "How can I help ya Aaron?"
"Listen Daryl, I wasn't snooping, it just happened."
Daryl interrupts him, "Aaron, I know ya ain't a spy. Now what is it?"
"Some of us fellows were out on the balcony a while ago and I saw you and Miss Beth again. I wanted to let you know that, you know, in case next time you wanted to drop her off somewhere out of view."
"Oh shit."
"I just wanted to let you know. I wouldn't want her to lose her job or for you to lose your room here."
"Yeah, thanks Aaron. You're a good guy."
The man smiles, "Thanks Daryl, I happen to think you are too, and if I can ever help you two out just ask. I know what it's like to be forced to sneak around to see someone you love."
Love? Love. Hmm. "Yeah, I s'pose ya do. Anyway, I appreciate the offer and I'll keep it in mind."
Daryl and Beth manage to keep up their secret meetings each evening behind the shed. Even though the weather's starting to turn a little cooler. Maybe that makes it even better as they do what they can to keep each other warm.
All week long, every chance she gets, she works on her new yellow dress and she finishes it Saturday. It's perfect, almost exactly the way she remembers it from her dream. She plans to wear it with her pretty white sweater when she meets him in the park on Sunday, and gosh she hopes he likes it.
Sunday comes and she does her best to concentrate on the preacher's preaching and on feeling the spirit in the hymns. When she gets back home she hurries to her room and slips the dress off, changing into a house dress before laying the one o'clock meal out. She doesn't want to take any chances of spilling anything on her new dress.
Once the meal is complete she hurries again, freshening up before leaving for the park. As she's putting the waves in her hair and applying just a little dab of perfume, she hears his truck pull in and the rush of warm anticipation has her feeling almost lightheaded. She hears the side door open and expects to hear his footfalls on the stairs, instead she hears him knock on the Horvath's door.
Mister Dale says, "Hello there Daryl, did you bring us more good food today?"
And then she hears that manly voice and her heart does a little flip, "Yessir. I got ya enough fish for a meal and four more rabbits."
"That's wonderful. Boy that fried rabbit Miss Beth made last Monday really hit the spot, didn't it?"
"Yessir, it was real good. Ya want me ta put this in the refrigerator on the porch?"
"That would be swell and thanks again young man, you be sure and adjust your rent come Friday."
"Yessir, and thank you."
He hurries to store the food in the refrigerator, he's still got a bath to take. He's got to get to the park and meet his Sweetheart.
She boards the streetcar to the park feeling even more excited than she was just a week ago. She knows a little about what's in store and she can hardly wait. Is it normal for a woman to long for the kiss of a man this way? She heard once it was only men who enjoyed such contact. She knows now that's not true because being held and kissed by Daryl is the best feeling in the world.
She's waiting on the same park bench when she sees his truck approaching and she's immediately on her feet. Finally they get to enjoy their afternoon together.
He sees her standing there and it feels like his heart stops for a minute. She's wearing the dress, the yellow dress from his dream. How can that be? He has no idea, he only knows he needs to hold her. Now.
He parks the truck at the curb and practically leaps out. His strides are long and his pace quick as he rushes toward her. She's smiling while doing everything in her power not to rush into his arms. He takes her hand and they quickly walk together toward the big oak.
As soon as they're alone he tells her, "Ya look beautiful Sweetheart. The dress, I…" He stops himself, she'll surely think he's crazy, so instead of telling her about the dream he simply says, "I like that dress a lot, I think it's the prettiest one I ever seen ya in."
She looks a little embarrassed when she says, "Don't think I'm silly, but recently I had a dream and in the dream you and I were standing next to a pretty little pond, we were going to fish. I was wearing a yellow dress just like this and you said it was your favorite, that's why I made myself this one."
He still doesn't tell her but her, but he will someday soon. For now he simply says, "Ya done a beautiful job Sweetheart." He's sure the dress is a sign.
Anyway he can't wait another minute. His arms are around her and his lips on hers. It's tentative at first, he's unsure what her reaction will be. But when he can hold back no longer and his tongue slips in her mouth, she accepts his advance.
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The secret nightly meetings continue for three more weeks as do the meetings in the park. The weather has turned colder but that can't stop the feeling of warmth steadily growing between them.
It's the Monday morning after they've spent their third Sunday together, and Miss Erma receives a caller. It's Mrs. Shelly Neudermeyer, a member of the congregation at church. Erma has no idea why this woman is paying a call, they're not particularly friendly. But she does not forget her manners, "It's quite nice out, the most beautiful morning we've had in a while. Shall we enjoy a refreshment here on the porch?"
"Why yes, that would be lovely Erma."
The visitor is practically bursting with the news. She barely gets the first sip of tea down when she says, "Now Erma Dear, you know I'm not one to spread gossip." And Miss Erma can hardly keep from rolling her eyes at such a statement, everyone knows Shelly Neudermeyer has more news than the morning paper. The visitor reaches over and lays her hand on Miss Erma's and says, "However Dear, I could not keep this news to myself, it's too important and you have a right to know."
Miss Erma has become downright irritated by the visitor. "What is it Shelly?"
"It concerns your hired girl and one of your boarders." Erma hopes her face doesn't give witness to her shock. "I saw them with my own eyes just yesterday. I was at the park enjoying a nice constitutional and there they were behind a big oak tree. I could swear that man had his tongue halfway down your hired girl's throat."
It's all Erma can do to keep from gasping and she's concerned she may get sick to her stomach right there on her own porch, but she maintains a cool demeanor when she asks, "What man was that?"
"Well I'm sure I wouldn't know a man who's the sort to behave that way, kissing a young woman in public. I can tell you he's older, at least eight or ten years older than she. If you ask me, his muscles are way too overgrown and he's in dire need of a haircut and a shave. He towered over the poor girl, but don't get me wrong. He wasn't forcing himself on her. She was kissing him every bit as shamelessly as he was kissing her."
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A/N Oh dear. Now what? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. As always, the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I'll be back next Friday with a new chapter of The Stranger Upstairs and I hope you're here too! Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee