Chapter 11 – The Wealthiest Woman In Kennesaw

Carol had stood there with the key in her hand, staring at it waiting for it to disappear in a puff of smoke. How could she have gone from where she was in Michigan and Doug, to end up the tenant in a turn of the century Victorian era home? Maybe she should pinch herself. Who was she kidding? She bruised like a peach, so no pinching. Her eyes wandered up to where Daryl was watching her. She could tell he was trying to figure out her mood. She couldn't blame him. She had gone from giddiness to staring at that key silently. She decided to let him in on her thoughts.

"I'm just waiting for this to be some cosmic joke. Like it's too good to be happening right now. How's that for pessimism?"

He nodded in understanding. "I get that. When ya been shit on as often as ya have, it's hard to take the good without waiting for the bad part to come. But it's not gonna go bad for ya here. You're safe here. You can start over, just like you said you wanted to."

He was going to say something else, but his phone rang right then. He looked down at the screen. He held up a finger to her in apology and took the call.

"What's up Rick?"

His eyes widened as he looked back at Carol. His shock from whatever Rick had said to him was evident to Carol. "She did WHAT?"

Another pause while he listened.

"I get them wanting to help, I really do. But I ain't even had a time to bring that up to Carol. Andrea and Michonne shouldn't have done that without askin'."

Carol was getting scared. Did Andrea do something to put her new life here in jeopardy? She didn't want to believe that about the helpful nurse, but was this the bad news she had been waiting for?

"OK. Yeah. Just give me at least fifteen minutes to talk to her first. If I call you and tell you to back off, ya best back the fuck off Grimes." With that, Daryl ended the call with a look of exasperation. He sighed heavily and turned back to address Carol. His words came out soothingly.

"Nothing's wrong Carol. It's just a few people wanna help you and they didn't bother asking first."

She relaxed a fraction, but not much more than that. "So, what? Does everybody in town know what happened? Who I am?"

"Small town, but I swear the only people I am talking about knowing are some who helped you out today, plus Rick's wife Michonne. She's a lawyer but has been staying home with Rick's son Carl and their new baby Judith lately. She works with survivors of domestic abuse a lot. She's been there before. She had an idea for you to get what ya need to live safely without charity."

Carol had to admit, her interest was piqued, so she nodded at him to continue.

"Georgia has a privacy law to help domestic abuse survivors. It allows a person to get a divorce and change their identities without listing their location. It keeps all identifying information and paperwork sealed by the court. You could get a divorce and change your name all at once, without your asshole husband finding you. She also talked to Andrea and picked up some clothes for you to wear so you can get outta those scrubs. Andrea said you would need stuff."

He stopped there because he could tell she was overwhelmed. He thought he saw a hopeful look in her eyes before it was stomped down by her doubt. Her next words proved it.

"That sounds too good to be true Daryl. I've been burned by hope already today with Doug. Having use of this house already has my head spinning, so forgive me if I am not too trusting just yet."

"Trust is earned. I get it. But if you believe anything I say, please believe this. Michonne and Rick are safe. Andrea is safe. You haven't met the others yet really, but I would never invite anybody here who I thought could be a danger to you. Please trust that. Trust me."

She nodded then gave a cautious smile. OK. I will let them help. But how is getting a lawyer right now not accepting charity?"

He laughed. "Ya know how to cook?"

Confused, she simply nodded.

"Michonne can't cook for shit. Gave Rick and Carl some food poisoning a while back. She says she will exchange legal work for cooking lessons three nights a week. You up for that?"

She laughed finally. "Yeah, I'm up for that."

"It can be a good thing for ya Carol. It's gonna let ya start over like you wanted to. New name … legally. Divorced without giving your location too. Maybe Michonne and Andrea can be friends to you if you hit it off. I think ya liked Andrea well enough, right?"

She nodded. She did like Andrea.

Daryl went over and squeezed her hand reassuringly before he picked up the phone and called Rick back. He gave the ok for the two to come over. They had left the kids with a sitter. Fifteen minutes later, the knock on the door came. Carol was nervous, Daryl could see that. Before he could answer the door, Carol grabbed his arm to keep him beside her for a moment.

"I'm nervous. What if she doesn't like me?"

Daryl tried not to laugh. The woman had met two people today after her attack, and they both ended up wanting to befriend her. She had nothing to worry about. He didn't know who she was before, but Carol Mason was very likeable. But he understood her worry.

"I promise, Michonne will like ya just fine. She's not the type to dislike anybody on sight. It will go well Carol."

She nodded, but was still nervous that others were giving her, a complete stranger, all the help she could possibly need. Most people wouldn't do these things for people they knew, let alone strangers. She breathed in a bit to steady her nerves before trying to explain.

"I guess I'm just curious why people would do this when they don't know me. A lot of people wouldn't do this for those they did know, let alone a stranger. It's hard for me to trust right now Daryl."

A few seconds went by and he didn't know what to say. Finally, he just nodded in acceptance. When he went to answer the door, Carol stopped him.

"I just thought of something. Remember that scene in 'It's A Wonderful Life' where George Bailey is bailed out of trouble by everybody in town?

He nodded.

"I feel like that right now. Somehow, I ended up the wealthiest woman in Kennesaw."