I sway my feet in the cool water before standing to step out of my cut off shorts, and pulling the green tank top over my head. My body still reeling from mine and Daryl's tracking lesson, I dive into the clear water, letting it wash away the rest of my shame in its radiant turquoise color. Turning over on my back, I float around for awhile, watching the clouds mosey by as the sun continues on it's journey to meet the horizon. I think about my group, about Sasha and Bob, Michonne, Carol, Tyreese, Glenn, Maggie, Carl, Rick, little Judith, Abe and Rosita, Doc, and of course Daryl, how they had taken me in, made me part of their family.

Unfortunately, I can't help but to think about how I wouldn't have made it if I hadn't ran into them. Literally. I would, most likely, be dead or the awful mixture of dead and living, and that truely seems like the worst fate that we kind of all have to deal with nowadays. Then, like always, I think about the perfect family I once had.

Jack, the man I had met my junior year of highschool, the man I had given everything to. When we found out I was pregnant, I was only eighteen while he had only just turned twenty. We were scared out of our minds, but it was an 'uh-oh' that turned out to be our little miracle. Jack had asked me to marry him on our daughter's birthday, five years later, and although we had been living together for six years then, everything finally felt perfect.

Of course, it was perfect until, well, it just wasn't anymore. When the virus spred, and people started.. eating one another, we took Claire to Ft. Benning where Jack's brother was stationed at the time. The Army base held it's own for a few months, but after rations got low and ammuntions began to run out, people started to panic. The number of suicides were astounding, and soon I saw Jack starting to break down. The death of his brother and friends right next to us was taking it's toll in the worst ways, we fought and Claire cried, unable to understand what was happening and we lived like that for weeks.

With my brain just not able to keep reliving the memories, I swim to the bank, pulling the towel around me as hang my under garments on a limb to dry. After a while, Rick had come to find me, telling me dinner was ready and to come back soon since nighttime was falling over the land quickly. Looking down at my watch, I laugh sadly, seeing the numbers 8:04 on the face, which only comfirmed my estimation from earlier as I pull a clean, almost sheer v-neck over my torso and dance myself into a pair of Michonne's skinny jeans. Pulling on my boots, I trudge back to the country club, sighing as I see Daryl sitting in one of the rocking chairs on the front porch.

"Have a good cry 'bout it?" He sneers, giving me one of his rare lopsided grins, his words practically radiating with sarcasm.

I feel the anger burst through me, along with the same shameful twirling in my stomach at the sight of his worn through jeans and boots, and how every muscle in his arms were visible thanks to his usual attire of sleeveless shirts. Thing's I've seen him wear a hundred times, but now it's like I notice everything and well- it's killing me. With a certain finger extended in his direction, and a hundred-watt smile plastered on my face, I strut past him without another word.

Entering the big doors, I find Michonne, Maggie, and Sasha sitting in the foyer, exchanging in easy conversation.

"Hey y'all." I greet them with smiles, and take an empty spot next to Michonne who I now notice is bouncing Judith on her knee,

"Nora, tell Sasha what you told me about taking care of men." Maggie throws at me before I even get tuned into their conversation well enough to know what the hell is going on,

"Hmm, well.. I've told you a few things about men." I retort, a devious smile tugs at my lips making the others snicker.

Maggie gives a sigh before going on, "About the easiest way to get what you want, ya know? Sasha isn't doin' too well with Bob."

The last comment riles a full blown laugh from the whole group, Judith included, and a shade of red blooms through Sasha's cheeks as she looks to me,

"Oh, of course. Way to a man's heart is through his stomach, easy as that." I say, giving a wink before making my way to the huge dining room, hearing the women snicker once more.

As much as I should probably stay and take part in some normal girl talk, it's just never really been my thing. Women are too complex, we overthink things and try to read between the lines, and the only place that ever gets us is even more confused. While men, on the other hand, are simple minded creatures and much, much easier to get on with for the most part. No worries about having vague or deep conversations with them, they get to the point, not beat around the bush.

"Nora, can I talk to you for second?" Rick asks quietly, quickly hushing my thoughts.

-Is everyone in need of advice today? And since when did they start coming to you to get said advice? My mind runs through the questions, getting zero viable answers in return, so I take seat opposite Rick at the table.

"Sure thing, what's goin' on?" I inquire, leaning in towards our leader.

Rick's hand finds its way to the back of his neck, and that tired look that seems to always darken in his sky blue eyes seems much worse in the dim light of the corner, "Carl's birthday is in a few days." He says finally, meeting my eyes and the weariness is quickly replaced with a heart-wrenching sadness that immediately makes my whole chest tense up, "Can you get a little group together, go into town, maybe find somethin'? Anythin' really. I don't think he even remembers it anymore." He finishes, a defeated sag returning to his shoulders.

I grab his hand, run my thumb across the rough skin, "Of course, Rick. We'll make sure he remembers this one. I promise." Giving him my word with a small smile, Rick returns the gesture half-heartedly before standing to give me a hug, "I'll get them together after dinner." I say quietly, pulling myself away from the embrace, "Please don't worry, okay? I'm gonna make it special."