A/N Thank you all so much! These two, *sigh*, well, let's see what happens next.
Enjoy!
00
She tossed and turned in the night, and she's mad at herself for letting a little gossip make her feel so blue. Everything has been working out swell for her and she should be grateful. She needs to just forget all about what she heard, it really has nothing to do with her. Except it hurts because, darn it, she has some kind of feelings for Daryl Dixon.
As soon as him and Teddy walk in the cafe Daryl senses it. It's not like she's mad at him, not exactly, it's more like she's doing her best not to look him in the eye. What the fuck happened? He's racking his brain trying to think of something he might have said or done wrong, but nothing comes to mind.
Beth sets their plates in front of them, smiles that smile, the same one she gives everyone in the place, and he can see it's back, the sadness in those blue eyes. It's only Teddy she looks directly at when she says, "Enjoy your breakfast gentlemen," then she hurries off to help some other folks.
He tells himself it's not his concern, he doesn't have time to think about other people's business, he's got his own business to take care. As soon as he and Teddy finish up their meal, he hurries to gets himself and the boy out of there, leading Teddy by the hand as he calls, "Money's on the counter."
Jim glances up from the grill and shakes his head as he mumbles to himself, "those two need to have a talk about something besides pie and overcooked venison."
Breakfast at the Solo left him feeling uneasy, and on the walk to Dale and Erma's home Daryl's trying to come up with a way he can get out of taking Teddy back to the café for pie this afternoon. Shit, but he promised the kid. He even told Beth to hold back two slices for them. Why the fuck is she sad about something? And why does she seem mad at him about something? Shit.
Erma notices it as she's taking Teddy's hand, "Are you feeling okay Daryl, you seem a little out of sorts."
"Nah, I'm fine ma'am, thanks for askin'. I just have a busy day ahead of me is all." He kisses the top of Teddy's head, roughs his hair a little and says, "Thanks folks, y'all have a good morning and I'll see ya at the noon hour."
While Erma is busy tidying up the kitchen, Dale takes Teddy out for a little walk. They look at all the pretty flowers blooming in people's yards as they stroll along, and Dale smiles as he shares with Teddy, "Ya know son, I always get your Aunt Erma a nice bouquet of flowers on special occasions, and sometimes for no reason at all, just to be nice. Ladies enjoy receiving flowers, that's something worth knowing."
The little boy doesn't even seem to be listening, he's skipping along chasing butterflies and avoiding bees, but kids are sponges and whether it appears that way or not, Teddy hears what the man says.
Later that afternoon, as Teddy and his Daddy are sitting out back at the picnic table having their potted meat sandwiches, Daryl makes an attempt at changing the plan, "Phew, I'm feeling pretty darn full, maybe we oughta not go eat that dessert. Maybe have them sugar cookies we brought home from Miss Erma's."
Teddy looks him dead in the eye and Daryl recognizes that look, he's got a look just like it, "Daddy, you promised. Cherdee pie."
Well shit, the kid's right, "Yeah, I'ma take ya if you wanna go. I just thought maybe you'd be too full." He knew it wouldn't work, he just had to try.
Things are a little different this afternoon, she doesn't seem mad at all, it's more just that sad thing. On the other hand, he's also noticed she isn't looking that way with anyone else at the counter. How could her sadness have anything to do with him?
Teddy Dixon seems oblivious to all of it, he's busy eating his pie, just one cherry at a time, savoring every bite as he rubs his tummy and says, "mmm." His Daddy is making much faster work of the peach pie, and Daryl tussles his son's hair when he says, "Better eat a little quicker Teddy, we gotta get back ta the shop." Daryl might have gone for a second slice while the boy finished up, but the pies are all gone.
Beth comes by and asks, "How's your pie gentlemen?"
Maybe she won't be mad at him anymore, or seem so sad, if he just tells her what he really thinks, "Best peach pie I ever ate Beth. Thanks for savin' me a slice."
It's not a work smile, she manages the smallest of real smiles, when she quietly answers, "Thank you Daryl. I'm happy you enjoyed it." He's never particularly enjoyed idle chit chat, but with Beth, and even on a day like today when things seem so strained, he likes talking to her. And the smile, her smile made it worth whatever these unsettled feelings are.
Jim wants to call out from the kitchen, "Ask to take her for a walk after work ya knucklehead." But he knows better. This isn't his business, and by golly he's staying out of it. Besides, it's kind of fun to watch them try and figure it out on their own.
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Friday morning Beth is busy with a counter full of diners when she takes a quick glance out the front window and sees Daryl and little Teddy walking toward the café. Before she realizes it's happening, a smile crosses her lips.
Once the Dixons are on their stools she's in front of them setting water down, "Good morning Teddy, good morning Daryl."
Daryl nods, "Mornin' Beth." Things seem better, she doesn't look so sad.
Teddy is far more exuberant than his Daddy, "Mornin' Miz Bet, I brung sumfin for ya," he reaches out his little hand and when his fingers open she sees the crushed yellow dandelion he's holding, "I picked it for ya."
The little weed looks pretty pitiful and Daryl's kind of embarrassed, then he sees the happy look in Beth's eye when she says, "I love it so much Teddy, it's just beautiful and it's so nice and thoughtful of you to pick it for me. I'm going to put it in a little glass of water right now to keep it fresh."
As she walks away Teddy tells his Daddy, "Ladies like flowers."
Jim's at the grill nodding to himself, yep, out of the mouths of babes.
When she's back in front of them she's giving Teddy that big real smile, and even though it's not for him, Daryl's glad to see it. She asks like she doesn't know, "What can I get you gentlemen for breakfast this morning?"
Daryl doesn't have time to answer before Teddy smiles, "I like cherdee pie peez."
Before his Daddy can tell him he's not having pie for breakfast, Beth places her hand over the little boy's hand and smiles, "I'm so happy you like my pie Teddy, but I'm sorry, it's all gone. You ate the very last piece yesterday. Don't worry though, I promise I'll be making lots more pies, okay?"
His bottom lip juts out but he says, "K Miz Bet."
Teddy took it pretty well and Beth doesn't seem sad right now. Maybe Teddy's onto something with this flower idea.
Beth softly squeezes that little hand and offers, "Guess what? I do have something else that's really yummy. This morning we've got banana pancakes. I made the batter myself and I think you'd really like them, do you want to give pancakes a try?"
Oh no, the words are no sooner out of her mouth than she realizes her mistake, "I'm so sorry Daryl, I should have asked you if it's all right first."
She looks half scared, shit, what does she think he's going to do? Nothing, all he's going to do is go along, "Nah, that's okay, it sounds good. I think I'll have a stack a them pancakes myself, with some bacon and a couple eggs over medium on the side, please. Whaddya think Teddy, want the same?"
"Yes Daddy, peez."
"All right then, half portion for Teddy if ya would please Beth. Thanks."
"Oh good, let me get your coffee and milk."
She calls the order out while poor Jim is thinking he might faint. His new waitress has changed the unchangeable, and it only took her one short week.
It's almost five Friday when Beth gets off work, she stayed late to bake. She walks up to her room and takes a minute to sit and rub her tired feet. She baked four pies, plus dinner rolls and biscuits, hoping it will be enough to get Jim through tonight and tomorrow. She realizes now what a big job she's taken on, there will be more baking on Sunday. Although she knows she should not be working on the Lord's day, and Mama would be upset with her, she's agreed to meet Jim at the café and get Monday's baking done.
She doesn't sit and rest long, she's got work to do. She takes her uniform off, dresses in capris and a slightly worn cotton blouse, and opts for her slippers instead of shoes, they'll feel better on her feet and she's not going out anyway. She wants to get one weekend chore done this evening, then she plans to relax and read her book.
She fills both the bathroom and kitchen sinks with warm sudsy water, then places her two full slips in the kitchen sink, and her panties in the bathroom sink. Once she has her underthings all washed and rinsed, she carefully smooths and drapes them over the lingerie rack she bought at the Five and Dime, hoping they'll be dry by morning.
Next, she hand washes her pajamas and nightie and hangs them to dry as well. It would be easier to use a machine, and she's planning to go to the public laundry tomorrow to wash her uniforms, sheets and towels, but she just can't bring herself to wash her personal things there. She's worried some man might be in the laundry and he'd see them. It's silly and she knows it, but that doesn't change her feelings.
She's never used a public laundry. Mama always had a washing machine at home, and Beth had no idea what to expect. Thank goodness for Carol, Beth asked her neighbor and Carol explained everything. Beth knows now there will be an attendant who she pays for the use of the machines, the amount she pays depends on how many loads she has. Three, she'll have three. 25 cents to wash each load, and 20 cents to dry each, but she won't dry her uniforms in a machine, she'll hang them when she gets home.
Beth's other concern was how in the world she would carry a load of towels and one of sheets, plus two uniforms, five blocks to the public laundry, and back. Carol solved that problem for her too, "I have a cart I use, it works swell to just roll my things along behind me. You're welcome to use it Beth."
Saturday morning Beth's up early, and it doesn't take long to give her little apartment a good cleaning. Once that's done she draws herself a bath, she wants to freshen up and look nice before going out in public, even if it is only to do a chore.
When the laundry is done, she returns it to her apartment, hangs her uniforms to dry and uses her hands to smooth the wrinkles out as best she can. But before making her bed up with the clean sheets, she decides to take the little cart and get a few groceries for the week, including a half dozen eggs. She's never eaten eggs from anywhere but their chickens on the farm. She wonders if she'll notice a difference in the way they taste. She also needs a small carton of milk, a stick of butter, a pork chop for dinner tonight, a chicken breast for Sunday, and a little bit of fruit and vegetables. She'll be eating her own baked goods.
She takes a nylon shopping bag and following Carol's directions, finds her way to the grocery with no problems. She quickly locates the few items she needs, and as the clerk puts them in her nylon shopping bag Beth realizes, she's taking care of herself, by herself. Buying a few groceries may be a tiny step, but it's an important one.
She's rolling the cart behind her as she makes her way home, but when she passes the park she spots Teddy playing in the sand with another little boy. They've got a big yellow truck and Teddy seems so happy. She pulls the cart behind her as she walks closer, stopping when she's near enough to say, "Hi Teddy, it looks like you're having fun today."
The little boy looks up, sees her and he's all smiles, "Hi Miz Bet! Look! Daddy got me a new twuck at Sears."
"I see that, and my gosh, it looks big and powerful. I bet it can move a lot of sand."
"It's a urt mover."
"An earth mover, well that makes sense," then the question occurs to her, who's watching Teddy? "Where's your Daddy?"
The little boy points and says, "He's over at the tree talkin' ta a lady."
She doesn't want to look, but her head seems to turn that way all on his own. Daryl's back is against the trunk of a big shade tree, and there's a woman with him. She's blonde and shapely and very attractive, her clothes are as tight as could be and her body is so close to Daryl's, like she's trying to push herself into him. Beth can see them talking, but she has no idea what they're saying. All she knows is she has to get out of here fast. She quickly turns away, but stops herself long enough to say, "Have fun Teddy!" Before hurrying down the street, pulling the little cart behind her.
Daryl looks up from his conversation, oh fuck, no. He knows Beth saw and he knows what she must be thinking and...well shit. He's angry now and he tells the blonde woman the same thing he's told her so many times, except this time when he tells her there's anger in his tone, "This is the last time I'm sayin' it Andrea, I ain't the kind ta mess with another man's wife, shit I ain't the kind ta mess with anyone, and dammit, I got my boy here, have some respect and leave me the hell alone."
Andrea backs off, but she still has a smile on her face, and she's not ready to give up, "You'll weaken Daryl Dixon, and when you do you'll wish you hadn't waited so long to get to know me better." She fluffs her hair as she turns, dramatically swaying her hips from side to side as she walks away.
Beth's tummy hurts and her head hurts as she puts the few groceries she purchased away. Then the tears start to slowly fall as she begins putting the clean sheets on her bed. By the time she's done making up her bed she can't help herself. She lays right down and has a good cry.
She lectures herself, why are you crying? He's not your boyfriend or your husband, you barely even know him. Besides, Amy said half the women in town are crazy over him, and why wouldn't they be?
It's just that she…well gee, she kind of thought it might be nice to get to know him better, Teddy too. She, oh gosh, she can't fool herself. She's already imagined things they could do together, as a family. She's so ridiculous. She even wondered what it would be like to have him hold her in his arms, and even what his lips would feel like on hers.
She scolds herself for being so foolish and so dramatic. She's also well aware, when she's feeling sad it's not good for her to be alone. She needs to get out. She dries her tears, splashes water on her face and walks down the stairs and around to Carol's store. It's only four in the afternoon, she has time to shop before Carol closes up, and her savings are going to have to wait. She has a plan to spend some of her pie money on a new book, and it won't be a romance novel.
From Carol's, and with her new book all about wildflowers in hand, she walks next door to the Solo to look up some information. There's a phone book that hangs on a chain from the payphone and she needs to find something in the Yellow Pages. Tomorrow's Sunday and she's looking for a church to attend. Last Sunday she went to a small bible church over on Ward Street, but the fire and brimstone the minister was preaching was a little more than she could take. She prefers a more gentle manner of delivering the Good News.
She finds a bible church not far from here, the little ad says, Faith, Grace, Fellowship. That certainly sounds good. She grabs a page from an order pad and writes the address down. She already knows just what she'll be praying for, the same thing she's been praying for all afternoon, freedom from these feelings she has so mysteriously developed for Daryl Dixon, when he obviously has other interests. It can't possibly be healthy.
She's not looking forward to spending the evening alone, but she has her new book and if it doesn't catch her interest, she has a little sewing she's been wanting to get to. Mama gave her scrape fabric and she wants to make some dinner napkins and maybe place-mats to brighten her table. She doesn't care if they match, it's the color she wants to add.
The first thing she does is sit at the table with her journal and write down reminders of all that she's managed to accomplish this week. Saturday she entertained the neighbor with tea, cookies and conversation. Sunday she went to a new church where she knew no one, and she'll do the same tomorrow. Monday she started a new job, a type of work she's never done, and she's gotten through the whole week without incident, she's even made some good tip money. She has another new job now too, she's a professional baker and she's so excited and proud about that. She did laundry in a public place, maybe that isn't considered a big accomplishment by some people, but it was a big accomplishment for her.
She's starting to think Mama and Olivia might have been right when they told her she's a capable woman who can take care of herself.
Daryl's been struggling all afternoon. Shit, it was supposed to be fun to take Teddy to the park, and it would have been. His boy made a friend and everything. Then that damn Andrea showed up. Why won't that woman leave him the fuck alone. He knows folks think he's too dumb to realize what she's after, they're wrong. He's not an idiot, and besides, Andrea couldn't make it any more obvious that she's looking to slip around behind her husband's back, but she needs to look somewhere else. Daryl couldn't be less interested.
What's really got him pissed off and agitated is the fact that Beth saw the way that woman had herself all pushed into him. Shit, she probably thinks…well yeah, of course that's what she thinks, she thinks they're up to something. Dammit. Maybe he could try to talk to her, maybe try to explain. Oh yeah? Then what smart guy?
00
Sunday morning she's up early and she takes a nice long bubble bath, washes her hair, and she's still in her bathrobe and slippers when she fixes herself breakfast. Tea, and a poached egg on toast. She watches the quiet Sunday morning street below as she nibbles at the food and promises herself this will be a good day, and reminds herself again how blessed she is.
She knows she's not supposed to work on Sunday, it's a day of rest. But she hates the thought of getting up extra early to do it Monday morning, and she has the time now. She gets out the ironing board and iron and presses her uniforms, while trying not to think of Daryl Dixon. She concentrates on her work, thank goodness the uniforms washed up so nicely, and there are no stains.
As she gets dressed for the Sunday service she tries to get herself in the proper frame of mind by singing those gospel hymns, the ones she's been singing her whole life. She puts on her garter belt, her stockings and her slip, and then her Sunday dress. The dress is a creamy yellow with a fitted bodice that buttons up the front and closes tight at the neck. The collar is small and the waist is tight, and no one would ever guess Mama found the belt for it at the Five and Dime. The skirt is full and she smiles when she looks at herself in the mirror, she feels pretty wearing this dress. It's quite fashionable too, Mama did a perfect job of copying the pattern of a dress Beth saw in McCall's magazine.
The church is off the main road a block or so, and Beth walks down to Montrose Street, and then it's three more blocks up. She likes walking through the neighborhoods and seeing the houses, the flowers and children in the yards.
She's almost to the church when she hears the church bell chime a warning, 15 minutes until services begin. She'll be plenty early. Then she sees the black sedan pull up and park at the curb, and Daryl Dixon steps out from the driver's side. Beth's steps have slowed considerably as she watches him walk around to the passenger side, open the door and extend his hand. She's surprised when it's an older gentlemen who steps out, and that gentleman opens the rear door and gives a hand to an older lady, then Teddy climbs out. No one needs to help the little guy, but his Daddy places a hand on his shoulder to settle him down, then straightens Teddy's tie.
For some reason she never considered Daryl would be a churchgoer, well shame on her, and then she almost lets herself smile because he seems so uncomfortable and appears a little awkward in his Sunday best, but gosh he looks so handsome. Oh sure, he still looks a little rumpled, but it's clear he's done his best to comb his hair back, and he's wearing a nice white dress shirt and a black tie that's only a little bit crooked. His chinos are black and his shoes are polished, and right now, those feelings she doesn't want to feel for him won't be denied.
Beth's just a few yards from them and Teddy spots her. He breaks away and comes running to her asking excitedly, "Miz Bet, are ya comin' to church wit us?"
She smiles as she takes the little boy's hand and walks him back to where his Daddy and the nice looking older couple are standing, explaining, "Well Teddy, I think you're here with your family."
The older gentleman says, "Hello there, Beth is it? I'm Dale Horvath and this is my wife, Erma, I'm going to assume you already know Daryl and Teddy."
Beth is so nervous, her throat is dry and her palms are damp, but she was raised with manners and she doesn't forget them now, "It's very nice to meet you both, yes, I'm Beth, Beth Greene. I know Teddy and Daryl from the Solo Café, I'm the waitress there."
Erma smiles, "Oh yes then, you're the young woman who took over Olivia's position. How nice, and you're all alone here in town?"
Beth feels the fire in her cheeks, "Yes, well, I guess I am alone."
Erma's been watching Daryl's reaction to all of this, and she notices the way he looks at the young woman, and hears the nerves in his voices when he says, "Hi Beth, nice ta see you."
That's when Erma Horvath decides to take matters into her own hands, "Well Beth dear, I hope you'll sit with us this morning." She doesn't wait for Beth to answer, she slips her arm through hers and proceeds to guide Beth that way, the men and Teddy following behind. They're about to enter the church when Daryl hears Erma invite, "We always have Sunday dinner together after church, I've made country ham and all the trimmings for today, and of course, we'd be so pleased if you'd agree to you join us."
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A/N Well Erma just lit a fire under the whole thing! Please leave a comment. There's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next Thursday for church and Sunday dinner, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee