A/N Thank you all so much. In chapter two we're going to find out about Beth, and learn what happened to Olivia. How did Beth end up as the waitress at the Solo Café? You'll see Daryl and Teddy again near the end, and Daryl makes an interesting decision.

Enjoy!

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She's doing the same thing she does two or three times a day, standing in front of the bathroom sink and staring at her reflection in the mirror. She's not putting on her makeup, she's not doing her hair or admiring her looks, she's just wondering if she'll ever be herself again. Will the happy and hopeful girl she used to be ever find her way back home?

Mama's not mad at her, Daddy's not mad at her, the preacher reminds her that God loves his children, always. They've all tried to reason with her, repeating to her often that everyone makes a mistake and that's all this was. She put her faith in the wrong person and that person took advantage of her innocence and trusting nature. There's nothing left to do now except try to put all of that aside.

Everyone's kindness only seems to add to the quilt she feels. They've consoled her, comforted her, told her they love her, but she can't seem to forgive herself for what happened. She can't stop asking herself how she could have been so stupid. And why did she make it even worse? She added to her own, and everyone else's misery.

She's startled from her thoughts by a tapping at the door and Mama's sweet voice saying, "Beth? Honey?"

She knows anytime she's got herself locked in the bathroom her Mama worries about her, she quickly opens the door and starts talking, "I know Mama, I'm sorry I'm so late getting to the chickens. I promise I'll take care of them in just a few minutes."

Mama's heart breaks a little every time she sees the sadness in her daughter's eyes. The woman's voice is low so as not to be overheard when she replies, "Don't worry about the chickens honey, Daddy already saw to them. I came to tell you we have a visitor. Do you remember Olivia Norton? She's ten or twelve years older than you, when her folks lost their farm you were still a little girl."

Beth's puzzled, "I know Mrs. Norton is a friend of yours, but I only vaguely remember Olivia from church and socials. You and Daddy call on the Norton's once or twice a month, don't you?"

"Yes, when we go to town. Well, their daughter Olivia is here, she's out in the front room and she's asked to speak with you Beth."

How strange, "All right Mama, I'll be out in a minute. I was just about to wash my hands." She's already dreading whatever might be coming, but she isn't going to upset her Mama by not being gracious to company, she's put the poor woman through enough. She washes her hands, splashes cold water on her face, and says a quick prayer for strength and grace.

Beth walks in the front room where Mama and Olivia are sipping tea as they chat about the weather and growing roses. Beth smiles, "Hello Olivia, how nice of you to come visit us."

Olivia immediately gets to her feet, "Hello Beth, my gosh, it's been so long since I've seen you. You're a grownup woman, and even prettier than I remember."

Beth feels her face turn pink, she smiles shyly and responds, "Thank you, that's very kind."

Olivia is silently asking herself if coming today was a good idea. When this plan was made it seemed right. She wants to offer Beth Greene a chance at a change. Not something monumental, just a small change that might help get her mind on something new, and off her sadness and dark thoughts, but will Beth see it that way?

Olivia explains, "I've asked your Mama if she would mind if you and I take a little walk this morning, there's something I'd like to chat with you about Beth."

Beth is mystified by all of this, but answers, "Yes, all right, of course. A walk sounds nice." She turns to her Mama and says, "I'll be back soon," then leads the way as they step out on the front porch and down the stairs. Olivia wraps her arm through Beth's and they stroll arm n arm around the garden as Olivia compliments, "I remember coming here to visit as a child, your Mama has always kept the most beautiful garden. While the grownups talked I would spend my time smelling all the beautiful flowers and chasing butterflies."

Beth nods, "It is beautiful. I probably haven't been spending enough time out here appreciating that."

They wander further from the house, down toward the large pond near the orchard, that's where Olivia stops. She turns to face Beth, taking the younger woman's hands in hers as she begins to speak, "No one wants to think about their private matters being a topic of discussion for others, and I promise you I am not one to gossip, but I know about what happened to you, and what happened after that. I want to assure you Beth, I'm not here expecting you to discuss those things with me."

Beth's relieved but also more confused and anxious, and her body stiffens in response to her unease. She's talked about those things so many times, and she's already heard all the advice about what would make her feel better now. Pray more, trust in God more, a stiff upper lip, finding a new interest. None of the advice seems to be helping, and she doesn't care to hear any new advice.

Olivia senses the other woman's hesitancy, she expected that, she keeps talking, "I left this area long ago, but it wasn't because I didn't love it here and love living with my Mama and Daddy. I think you probably know what happened. I had just graduated from high school when my parents lost the farm. I had no idea what to do next, and my folks were trying so hard to get their feet back on the ground."

"Things were desperate for my parents, but the preacher helped them get a small apartment in town. By then they'd struggled so much trying to make a go of it at the farm, I actually think they were relieved it was all over, and they were grateful to have that cozy little apartment. They still live there."

Beth is sincere when she says, "I'm so sorry for what happened."

Olivia smiles, this isn't supposed to be about sadness, "Thank you, but you don't have to feel sorry Beth. We all came through it just fine, although I'll be honest with you, at first I was scared. I didn't know what would become of me. My parents didn't need me to help on the farm, so there was really nothing for me here. I had no prospects. Most girls around here get married right out of high school, but I was plump with plain looks, there was no suitor waiting in the wings to whisk me away."

"Olivia…"

"It's true. I knew it then and I know it now. I wasn't the girl who gets the kind of life most girls dream of, meet a good man, get married and have a family. I also knew I wasn't going to get some big college education and a fancy job, that's for wealthy people. I had to figure out how to make my own way."

Olivia laughs, "How naïve I was Beth. I thought I would just show up somewhere and go to work, but maybe it was good to be so silly because guess what? That's almost how everything happened." She's still smiling as the story continues, "I had a little savings, next to nothing really, just babysitting money. I packed a small suitcase, kissed my tearful Mama and Daddy goodbye and walked to the bus station. I wasn't even sure where I was going, I just bought a ticket to the town that was furthest away that I could afford the fare to. It was Smithton."

Beth gasps, "Oh my goodness Olivia, you were so brave."

Olivia shakes her head, "No, not really. There's bravery and there's foolishness. I was foolish." Beth's interest is piqued, she's curious to hear what happened next as Olivia continues, "I got off the bus knowing I needed a job and fast. There was a sign on the building up the street, 'Solo Café' and something seemed to lead me there. I walked right to it, carrying my suitcase and with not much more than a dollar in my pocket."

She smiles, shaking her head again, "There was a man behind the counter, and oh my goodness, the poor fellow was trying to cook and wait on the customers at the same time. I found out later the waitress had run off with a traveling man, right in the middle of her shift. She left the poor fellow high and dry. The place was a madhouse. He looked up and called to me across the counter, 'are you here about the waitress job?'"

"I was honest, I said I hadn't come about it, but that I sure did need a job and right away. He said, 'well put your case in the back and get an apron on.'"

Olivia's laughing and even Beth giggles softly, "Oh my Olivia, that's something else. Did you know anything about waitress work?"

"No, I did not. Not one thing, but I went right to work with him and helped all I could, and we made it through the busy lunch rush. When things settled down we talked. Jim is such a good man, that's his name, Jim. He gave me all the tip money we made and a couple dollars extra and he said if I wanted the job he'd give me a try. I said I did and right away he started teaching me about waiting on people."

"While he taught me the job he worked with me doing the side work, filling salt, pepper, sugar, napkin dispensers, ketchup and mustard, all those kinds of things. And I am not joshing you Beth, when he said that each shift I worked I would get a free meal and a soft drink or milk, my tummy growled." She giggles and says, "Then he got so serious and told me, 'you'll be on the early shift, 6am to 2 pm, that's breakfast and lunch. You get a lot of working men in those hours. The secret is, you smile, you act happy to see them and cheerful about bringing them food. You'll be treating them better than they get treated at home, and that's how waitresses make good tips.'"

The women share a laugh over Jim's advice, and then Olivia brings up exactly what's on Beth's mind, she asks, "Do you wonder why I'm telling you these things Beth?"

Beth admits, "I don't want to be rude, but yes, I have been wondering."

"I came to make an offer to you, I want to give you my job."

Beth's completely confused now, and the only word she can seem to get out of her mouth is, "Why?"

Olivia squeezes Beth's hands a little tighter and says, "Because I want to help you make a change in your life. Nothing too dramatic, just a chance to go somewhere that people don't know you and haven't heard all the talk. It would be a fresh start for you. You can have a job where every day you'll see many of the same faces, and they're friendly faces, and oh my dear, I can't tell you how rewarding it is for a woman to make her own money."

Beth's intrigued, she's been feeling anxious and restless lately, but right now she's more bewildered than anything else, "Isn't it your job? What are you going to do?"

"I'm sorry, you're right, I skipped over the most important part of my story. I didn't think it would ever happen, but a year ago I began seeing a man. He's a preacher at a church in Smithton. His council has asked him to relocate to a church in Columbus, and he's asked me to marry him and go with him."

Although the news brings up some sad thoughts, Beth smiles and cheerfully proclaims, "Oh how lovely for you Olivia, and he's certainly a very lucky man."

"Thank you Beth, I'm very blessed." She glances down and then into Beth's eyes and says, "I'm going to be completely honest with you Beth. Your folks love you and you can stay right here on this farm for as long as you want to. Your Mama and Daddy will see to your every need." She sighs, "But do you think that will help you put those bad days behind you and get back to being Beth?"

Tears are in Beth's eyes and she senses there's more to this than Olivia simply turning up out of nowhere, "What would lead you to believe this is the answer for me? Again, I don't want to be rude, but you hardly know me."

"Of course, you're right, but I do know what you've been through. I do know you're young, too young to be cloistered in your parent's farmhouse. I just don't think you can start feeling alive again until you get back out in the world, and this offer gives you the opportunity to take a small step."

Beth's looking down and when Olivia sees a tear fall and hit the ground she can't pretend, she tells all. "You know your Mama and mine have been friends for many, many years, since long before you or I came along. Your Mama was visiting mine two weeks ago when my mother told her the news about me and Eastman, that's my fiancé. It was then your Mama suggested, 'Maybe Bethie could take that job.'"

"What?"

"Please don't be angry with your Mama, Beth, she's just looking for a way to help you. My mother mentioned to her that I was reluctant to tell Jim I'd be leaving in a few weeks. The man has done so much for me. I was wracking my brain to think of someone really good who would take my job, so I wouldn't leave him in a pickle."

Mama comes walking toward them and Beth says, "Mama, do you want me to leave home?"

Mama wraps her arms around her daughter and promises, "No, no, never. If I were only thinking about myself I would keep you here forever, but that wouldn't be fair to you Beth. You need to be around other people." She looks in her daughter's eyes and with a small smile says, "Smithton isn't exactly a cosmopolitan city, but there's more opportunity for you there. Think about it, here the only place you ever go is church. You need fresh faces."

She reaches over and clasps Olivia's hand, "Olivia says the man she works for is very kind and thoughtful, and her customers at the café are almost all regulars and very nice people."

"But Mama, I…I…look what a disaster I made of things."

"It was a mess, but it was a lesson too and it's done Beth. Daddy and me haven't lost faith in your sound thinking, and you shouldn't either."

Olivia suggests, "I'll be going back to Smithton later this afternoon, tomorrow's Monday and I have work first thing in the morning. I don't leave for Columbus for three weeks, so how about this idea Beth, I'll have a talk with Jim this week, you come visit us at the café next Sunday. We'll have a chance to talk about the job and living arrangements, and then you can decide." She turns to Beth's Mama and adds, "Miss Annette, you and Mister Herschel could accompany her if you like."

Mama's taking her own big first step, "We'll certainly drive her there, but aside from that, I'm going to trust Beth to make this decision all on her own."

"Mama…"

"Please Bethie. Maybe going off somewhere new will help. If it doesn't, and you're unhappy, Daddy will bring you home again."

Her Mama saying those words...that's when Beth sees it all so clearly, yes, she needs to give this a try. She's 20 years old and still depending on her Mama and Daddy to take care of her, it's time for her to learn to take care of herself.

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When Sunday comes around Beth and her folks make the three hour drive to Smithton. Daddy pulls the big Buick right up in front of the Solo Café, and like every other business in town, the café is closed on Sunday.

As they exit the automobile they glance up and down the quiet street, then toward the café. Out front there's a newspaper machine and as they approach the café the front door opens. A lanky fellow greets them, extending a hand when he says, "Welcome to the Solo Café, I'm Jim. Olivia should be down any minute to join us."

Daddy shakes the man's hand, "Very nice to meet you Jim, I'm Herschel Greene, this is my wife Annette and my daughter Beth. My wife packed a nice picnic and she and I are going over to the park to enjoy that. What time should we be back for Beth?"

"A couple of hours ought to be plenty, but don't rush. I get a lot done around here on Sunday when it's quiet so if you stay longer, Beth can help me." His voice and his smile are both kind and Beth likes the man.

As Jim and her Daddy take a minute to engage in small talk, Beth takes a look around the long, narrow shotgun style café. There's a coat rack, an umbrella stand, a wall-mounted pay phone, and the usual penny candy machine near the entrance. The restaurant itself consists of a long counter and stools, and against the wall opposite the counter are three booths, each big enough for four. At the far end of those are a juke box and a cigarette machine. Beth wonders how one waitress and one cook take care of so many diners.

Olivia comes walking in the back entrance from the alley way and smiles, "Hello everyone. It's so nice to see you all. Beth, you'll be happy to know Jim and I have your afternoon planned."

Mama and Daddy have big happy smiles as they leave, but their hearts are breaking as they pray to God they're doing the right thing. Beth watches as they go and her head starts spinning, she's suddenly so alone. She tells herself to snap out of it, this is going to be good. She needs to be on her own for a while.

Olivia hasn't noticed Beth's discomfort yet, she just keeps talking and so Beth tries very hard to listen, "About the accommodations I mentioned. When I got here I didn't even have a place to live, so what worked out really wonderfully for me is, Jim and his wife own the whole building. Besides the café there's the shop next door that sells books and magazines, and upstairs are two nice rooms to let. That's where I live, in room A. It's furnished, and like I told you, if you want to take it over from me that would be wonderful."

Now Olivia notices how overwhelmed the other woman looks, and suggests, "It's a lovely room Beth, why don't I show it to you?"

It's a whirlwind of activity, first looking at the room, which Beth has to admit would be perfect. Then Olivia and Jim talk to her about what her duties will include, and they even mention the regular customers promising, "After a week you'll feel like you've known them forever. We only have one or two grouchy types but they settle right down once they've had a cup of coffee."

An agreement is reached. Olivia will be leaving the weekend after next, and Beth will be taking over her room and her job. She's honest with Jim, "I…I'm not sure if I'll be able to do this, but I'm going to try."

The man smiles and promises, "You'll do just fine young lady, and I'll be right here to help."

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All morning long Daryl's been trying to keep his head clear, but thoughts of the blonde waitress and the sadness in her pretty blue eyes keep sneaking up on him. Shit, he's got no business thinking about women.

He can say that to himself all he wants, but thoughts of her persist.

Lunch time rolls around and he quickly walks the two blocks over to Dale and Erma's, anxious to pick up Teddy. The older couple would be happy to keep the boy all day, but Daryl is determined to spend as much time with his son as he can. Right from the start he figured if he worked like he was two men in the mornings, he could take it a little easier in the afternoons and have time with Teddy.

He even designed the shop with the idea of Teddy being there with him. There's a toddler bed in his office where the little boy takes his afternoon nap, and Daryl built a sort of corral in the far corner of the shop, near the back door. He carpeted it and at first filled it with things that would interest a baby, then later, a small boy. There are Lincoln Logs and little trucks and green plastic soldiers. He even built the boy a small table and a chair where he can sit and color or finger paint, or attempt putting a puzzle together. Although the child didn't really understand, his Daddy explained to him, "I ain't tryin' to keep you in jail son, but there's a lot of dangerous stuff around here, this is safer for you."

Although Daryl is certainly no talker, in the afternoon when Teddy's there, he talks a lot. It's a steady flow of information as to what he's doing, "You see son, first ya gotta loosen this bolt here, and then you…"

That's not all, the small backyard area of the shop used to be just gravel, but now there's soft grass and there's a swing hanging from the branch of the big shade tree. You'll find Teddy and his Daddy out there at the noon hour having their lunch at a small table, then it's play time until Teddy goes down for his nap, and his Daddy gets back to work.

Teddy and his Daddy are sitting side by side eating bologna and cheese sandwiches, and they've got some homemade oatmeal cookies Erma Horavth gave them that they'll enjoy for desert. As they eat Teddy's peppering his Daddy with questions about army trucks, and although Daryl answers the child's questions, he can't seem to keep his mind from drifting to thoughts of the blonde waitress with the sweet smile and sad eyes.

He swallows the last bite of his sandwich and suggests something to Teddy he has never suggested before, "It's a nice warm day son, ain't it? Whaddya say we save them oatmeal cookies for after dinner, and for now we walk over to the café and get ourselves a dish of vanilla ice cream?"

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A/N Ice cream sounds good. Please leave a comment. There's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, I hope you'll check it out. We have our back stories, but with lots of questions and holes to fill, and ice cream to be eaten. I hope to see you back next week for more of Love at the Solo Café. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee