Reaching Out

Carol woke up the next morning to some golden sunshine and warmer weather. She resolved that today she would do some laundry. They had grabbed some laundry detergent on that last run. Judith needed clean clothes and she would take care of that while she washed her own clothes. She wasn't going to take on laundry for the whole group unless the whole group helped.

Carol thought about Beth. The girl had not spent much time with Judith and the baby had stopped reaching for her. Maybe Beth needed some laundry done too.

Michonne and Sasha were on board with doing laundry. Carol was able to coax Beth into joining. There was an old washboard in the barn and the stove was allowing them to have a good supply of hot water. Morgan and Tyreese found wire hung wire behind the barn so that they could hang the clothes. Apparently someone in the house used clothespin for something because there was some there. By mid-morning their line were full and Tara and Rosita had joined in. Carol thought about doing laundry at the quarry; she was the last woman standing from that group.

Morgan, Tyreese, and Bob came next to wash their own clothes. The warm dry sunshine had dried the first load and the men worked together to get their clothes clean. They also put water on the stove for the next group. Rick. Elijah, and Carl came next and Carol took Judith outside to some air and Beth had followed along.

Carol and Beth relaxed in two homemade lawn chairs on the deck behind the house. Carol had hung blankets on the deck railings after she washed them to air out. She had taken a dry blanket and put it down on the deck and Judith was content to play at their feet. Beth seemed more like her old self.

They were joined by Michonne and Tyreese who were ready to take a run into the nearest town. Carol was surprised to see Tyreese volunteering but he said that anything was better than laundry. Carol was ready to do her part, "I'll go but only if Beth can watch Judith."

Beth put her hand on Judith's curls. "It's time for her to take a nap anyway. I'll take her upstairs and rock her to sleep". Elijah was singing as he scrubbed clothes and his voice was so sweet that everyone sat for a while and listened. Beth stared at the distant woods but Carol noticed that her fingers were beating out the rhythm of his song on the armrests of her chair.

Beth took Judith upstairs and Carol joined Michonne, Tyreese, and Sasha on the run. Daryl had finally made it to the wash tubs, and Carol realized that she had always made sure that he had clean clothes. It didn't look like Beth was taking on washing his dirty skivvies either.

Michonne and Sasha battled each other for the alpha female spot on the way with Sasha finally agreeing to do it her way. Tyreese and Carol exchanged a grin and Michonne warned, "I saw that."

They had looked on the map and there was a town about 10 miles away. They put the windows down and let their suv "air out". Carol was nervous enough so that she wouldn't be careless and overconfident.

The food stores were all looted and they passed them by for a time that they brought a large team. Tyreese said, "Turn around I think I saw something at that last intersection". Michonne turned at a church parking lot and whirled back. Tyreese had seen chain farm supply store. Carol picked the lock in the back. Daryl had shown her that skill their first winter and the others were impressed. "Home girl must have spent some time in juvie" Sasha chortled.

Michonne and Tyreese went in first with Sasha trailing them. Carol guarded the back door and their vehicle. Michonne gathered sturdy clothing and boots in all sizes and Tyreese picked up some tools that could be used as weapons. There were propane tanks and charcoal. There were plastic containers full of beef jerky and dried fruit. Sasha found corn meal, popcorn, candy, coffee, and tea in the store brands. Carol had only had an occasional visit from the dead but she was glad when they pulled out.

They stopped at a department store. It had been looted but someone had cleaned out the walkers and sealed the door back up. Tyreese had agreed to be on watch and the women scooted in. Carol went to the baby section and go Judith some clothes and a new toy. She grabbed underwear and sturdy looking clothes for women. She also went to the men's section and grabbed underwear all the underwear they could find. Carol had seen the ratty looking things that had went on the lines this morning. Sasha found a box and they loaded everything they could find. Michonne had grabbed cargo pants for men and women and socks. They hurried out mindful that time outside seemed to go a lot faster than when you were inside.

They made a last stop at a grocery store. Michonne and Carol made a quick run to the baby section. Carol grabbed baby food, formula, and diapers while Michonne killed walkers who saw them as a midafternoon snack and then they ran for the vehicle. Carol and Michonne were laughing as they ran. Sasha left the back seat open and she roared off the parking lot as they dived in. Tyreese just shook his head and they were soon back at the house and unloading. Beth was feeding Judith in the kitchen when they got back and Daryl was out hunting. They decided to separate things later.

Carol decided to go back to the deck and enjoy what was left of the day. It was getting cooler and she dressed Judith in warmer clothes. Beth followed her and before long the deck was filled with people drinking coffee and relaxing. Morgan and Bob returned with some food that they had found and fuel.

Carol went inside to check on what they had brought and found mostly canned goods, but there was some processed cheese and some boxes of macaroni. Daryl came back with some rabbits and squirrel and he volunteered to grill them on the outdoor grill. Carol made a huge casserole of macaroni and cheese. There were green beans and she used the flour and canned fruit to make fried fruit pies. Rosita helped cook and Tara washed the pots and pans as they used them. She also washed the dishes in the cupboard so that they would all have a plate.

Carol thought they were sweet girls and Tara was obviously crushing on Rosita. Abraham and Rosita were lovers and it looked to her as if Tara was out of luck in that deal. Maybe they would just be a happy threesome. Anything could happen in this world.

Dinner that night was a success. Morgan had laughed when he saw the mac and cheese and he and Carol exchanged a smile. There were no left overs and they ate their fried fruit pies with coffee by the fire. The temperature went down at night enough that the fire was nice.

Elijah and Morgan volunteered for the dishes and Bob and Tyreese helped. Elijah began singing almost absentmindedly and then apologized. "I got used to singing all the time when I was by myself. It made me feel less lonely I guess, but you all will get tired of listening to me. I'm sorry".

Tyreese began singing and Bob joined in. Morgan laughed, "Not all black people can sing; I am living proof". Elijah smiled and listened to the song. He didn't know the song but it felt good to listen to somebody else for a change.

Tyreese played Father Christmas and handed out the looted underwear, "The ladies were making fun of your skivvies today and decided that they had to help you out." Daryl looked embarrassed but he scarfed up his share. Michonne handed out cargo pants, "I am tired of seeing your raggedy drawers hanging out". Carol laughed until she cried at Bob holding up a huge pair of boxers and then putting them on over his pants. Carol felt like between the food and the jokes that they getting closer as people.

Beth and Carol took Judith upstairs and had a long talk. Beth told what had happened when she was kidnapped. The man who had taken her was dressed as a priest and he thought that he was rescuing her from Daryl. He was crazy and thought God was telling him that he had to repopulate the earth. He had raped her and when he found out that she had not been a virgin he had put her in the car and drove around and then threw her out without a weapon. Beth had just started walking in the opposite direction that he had taken. She had used a sharp stick to stick in the eye of a walker and somehow stayed alive until Carol had found her. Beth gave a painful laugh, "I guess I can thank Zack for deflowering me. He might never have let me go if I was still pure."

Judith patted the tears on Carol's face and Beth leaned on her while they both cried for a while. Later, Beth hugged Carol. "I love you, Carol. You are the kindest person I know. Don't think that I would ever judge you for things that you did. Daddy taught me better than that. I need to get tougher to survive in this world and I want you to teach me. I never want to get so tough that I forget to be kind."

Carol hugged her back, "I love you, Beth. Now let's put this baby to bed and go then go downstairs and listen to the music. Maybe you might want to sing tonight?"

Beth shrugged, "I don't know if I'll sing tonight but sometime I will sing again. I wasn't in love with Zach, but he was a nice guy. I had sex with him because he wanted to, but it wasn't all that good. Really overrated."

Carol said, "Next time wait until you want to, okay?"

Beth shook her head, "Not going to be a next time".

Carol thought about Elijah and his kind considerate ways. She hoped that Beth's next time was with someone like that. "Hand me that diaper please. Miss Judith has given us a little gift." They worked together to put Judith to sleep and then went downstairs to listen to Elijah play the guitar and sing with Sasha. Judith didn't sing but she watched the other two sing while she leaned on Carol.

AN

I cringed all through "Alone" and "Still". I hate the Bethyl ship because it is just all wrong in my mind, but I don't hate Beth or Emily Kinney. I hated the whole Carol as killer storyline but the actors don't get to write the scripts.

I do think it is true to Carol's personality that she would reach out to Beth eventually. Carol didn't rush in to comfort Beth because she would think that Maggie would do that. Sadly, I can't write Maggie as recognizing that her sister needs support because it strikes a false note with me. It would be Carol who would offer support in that group.

I know that it is hard for Carolers to accept that Carol might want another man, but Morgan is as he says a "patient" man. Carol will not jump into anything too soon. She is still dealing with grief and regret. She is still angry at the world too. Carol will wait until she wants to before she has sex with anyone.

I would appreciate a review.