A/N Thank you everyone, and thanks to Dale and Erma for getting our couple together for an afternoon. In this chapter we're going to learn how Daryl and Beth feel about their day, but first let's step back four years and dig a little deeper into Daryl's past and his relationship with Dale and Erma Horvath.
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1950
His whole world changed the minute Teddy was born, and it all changed again the first time he met Dale and Erma Horvath.
He'd been told about them, and he'd spoken on the phone with them three times. The first time was when, with pain in his heart and in his voice, he nervously called to share the terrible news with them. He could hear Miz Erma crying and that made him feel like such a piece of shit, but the call had to be made. Then Teddy started fussing and Daryl he said, "S'cuse me, I gotta set the phone down and get the baby." When he was back on the line Dale and Erma began asking questions, and he answered every one.
The second time they spoke was the very next morning and that time Dale and Erma called him. They told Daryl they'd been up all night discussing what could be done, and they asked him to please come to Smithton so they could meet and talk more, and they asked him to be sure and bring Teddy, "We're anxious to meet you both, and please don't concern yourself Daryl, we're not asking you here so we can lecture or judge you. The past is done."
He was a bit surprised by the sudden invitation, but also hopeful. Although he was nervous and concerned that despite what they claimed, the Horvaths would be disapproving of him, he could not deny their request. There was something else too, he was intrigued by their suggestion that he and Teddy consider moving to Smithton.
Two days later was the third time he spoke to the older couple. He called to tell them him and the baby were coming to meet them.
Baby Teddy was cradled in his arms when he knocked on their door at 8:30 that Tuesday morning, and from the moment he walked in their home he knew he was in the right place. It was comfortably old-fashioned, like they'd decorated it 35 years ago and never saw a need to change a thing after that. It all looked good to Daryl, warm and welcoming.
They'd been honest on the phone when they said they wouldn't judge him or make accusations. Even when they asked to know his personal story, including what his childhood was like, and his army life, and how his plan for an auto shop came to be. He felt an obligation to these people so he told them everything. He talked about his growing up and the loss of his alcoholic mother in a house fire, the cruelty of his father, and the difficulty his brother has staying out of trouble.
He was honest when he told them about his army days. He said he was proud to serve his country and he felt like he'd been a good soldier, and he owned up to the gambling as his biggest source of income. Then he told them about his life right after the army, and he didn't leave out the part about how he'd gone off the rails for a while. Dale and Erma Horvath were true to their word, they didn't reprimand or criticize him in any way.
The feeling he got from the Horvath's that day was that they simply accepted him. They never once questioned whether he was capable of taking care of a baby. He felt deep gratitude about that, and he always will. He knew more than a few people doubted his ability to raise Teddy alone, including his own brother, but Daryl wasn't going to give Teddy up.
Of equal importance to the way they made Daryl feel, was the way the older couple were with Teddy. Daryl could feel the instant love they had for his baby boy, it was powerful. Everything about these kind folks told him, they were the salt of the earth.
Over glasses of tea for the adults, and a bottle for Teddy, Dale mentioned the old Tire and Auto Shop being for sale, and he said he knew the guy selling it, "We were about your age when he started that business, but as the years went by arthritis forced him to shut it down." Dale asked Daryl if he'd care to have a look, and Daryl said he would. Dale made the call and they all drove over to meet with the owner and have a look around the shop.
There was no question, it was everything Daryl had dreamed of having someday. The perfect size, a good location, and unbelievably, the tools and equipment were part of the sale. The owner had no further use for them, he just wanted out. Daryl didn't think it would be possible to find a better spot and a better deal, and from what he'd seen of Smithton so far, it seemed like a good place to settle down with a small child. He just wasn't sure. Not quite yet.
The owner pushed a little. He wanted to make a deal and even sweetened the pot by lowering the price a bit, but Daryl needed time to think, "I'll get back to ya in a day or two. I wanna have a look around town." He wanted it, but he had to be sure this place, Smithton, Georgia, was the right place for him and Teddy.
Dale drove Daryl, Teddy and Erma all over town that day. He showed Daryl where everything was located, and he even threw in some town history and stories. He went so far as to drive around the outskirts of town, just so Daryl could get a feel for the whole area. Dale took him past the four elementary schools, the park, and when he drove down Maxwell Street they all noticed the "For Sale" sign in front of a little yellow house.
Dale pulled the vehicle over to the curb and said, "It doesn't appear that anyone is living there. I could jot the telephone number down and we could give the agent a call. Maybe he'd let us take a look."
The house had a certain charm, although it wasn't fancy or outwardly special in any way, there was just something about it. To Daryl it looked like a home. A real home like a kid ought to have. The kind of place Daryl would have wanted to come home to after school. A place he could be proud to live. Daryl was never a guy to just jump on all these big decisions, but something felt so right, "Yeah, sure if ya would. It looks like a good one."
Dale used the payphone over at the Solo Café to call, and an hour later the four of them were standing on the front porch of the little yellow house, waiting as the agent put the key in the lock, and smiled, "This house is perfect for a young family. I'm sure your Missus is going to love it."
Daryl just nodded, "Yeah, all right," and Dale and Erma didn't say a thing.
The agent explained, "Any of the furnishings and appliances that are still in the house are included in the sale. The elderly owners moved in with their daughter's family and didn't have room for all of their things."
There was no grand entry, the front door opened directly into the living room. On the wall to the left side of the room was a 1920's style recessed built-in cabinet with drawers at the bottom for storage, and shelves up top for books, nic nacs and the like. A big easy chair and a side table had been left in the room. The chair was worn, but not bad and Daryl's mind was already going. He could put the chair in his shop. It'd come in handy when he's feeding Teddy, and besides, he had his own living room furniture at his rental place down in Atlanta, it would work just fine in the little yellow house.
There was a doorway to the right, and one straight ahead that lead to the kitchen, and that's where they went next. The room was big and square with all appliances still in place. They weren't brand new, but they were new enough. There were no dings or scratches, and as long as they worked, they'd do.
There was a window over the sink and one in the back door, and one on the left wall. That was good, Daryl liked being able to see out. There was a left-behind kitchen table with four chairs and although Daryl had his own kitchen set, it was not quite as sturdy looking as the set that was left. Again his mind was going, maybe he could use his in the backyard, or maybe at the shop. Straight ahead was a door leading to a small utility room. There was a hot water heater and a furnace, an old wringer washer that looked ready for the junkyard, and a modern clothes dryer.
The backdoor lead from the utility room to the back porch and yard. Ah, he thought to himself, this is where my kitchen set goes, right out here on the porch. The yard wasn't big but it was nice, pretty, and plenty big enough for a boy and his Dad to toss a ball around. If they needed more space, they'd go out in the country.
The small group ventured back to the living room and to the doorway leading to a hall. The hallway accessed a small coat closet, a linen closet, and two bedrooms, with a bathroom in between. There was an attic access door in the ceiling and when the agent pulled the cord down it opened and there were stairs leading up. Daryl was the only one who ventured up there, when he came down he smiled, "That's almost as big as the house."
The agent commented, "A lot of folks are turning those attic spaces into an extra bedroom and bathroom."
Daryl just nodded, him and Teddy wouldn't need to do anything like that, but the attic would work for storing his hunting and fishing gear.
The first bedroom was meant for children. It had a twin sized bed, a night table and a small chest of drawers. They'd be just fine when Teddy got older, although Daryl will be changing out that mattress and box spring when the time comes. He has no idea who slept on it, Teddy will have a new one. For the time being, there was plenty of room left for his boy's crib and little chest of drawers.
The bathroom was a real good size with a tub, separate stall shower, the toilet, and there was a built-in chest of drawers and a nice freestanding porcelain sink. Everything a person needs.
The last room was the master bedroom. There was no furniture left in this room and that was okay with Daryl, he had his own bed and other furnishings at his place in Atlanta. He also noticed the furniture mart when they drove through town. If he needed anything more, he was sure he'd find it there.
He'd never been one to act impulsively, but the little place already felt like home. That was something he'd never really had, and something he desperately wanted to give Teddy. A home. And Daryl had an idea how he could swing buying both the business and the little yellow house.
Him and Teddy ended up staying three nights with the Horvath's, while Daryl simultaneously made a deal for the house and one for the tire and auto. It was such a big departure from anything he'd ever done, but Dale was real helpful with the wheeling and dealing and the paperwork. He even got the owners to lower the price of the home a little, and his buddy to lower the price a little more on the business. Erma happily cared for Teddy while Daryl and Dale visited with the loan officer at the Savings and Trust.
The bulk of Daryl's savings went toward the cash purchase of the tire and auto, but with the tools and equipment Dale's friend left behind, plus the tools Daryl already owned, he knew he could have the doors open for business in a couple of weeks. If everything went right, he'd begin earning income right away.
He couldn't spend everything he had though, he had to hold some money back for him and Teddy to get by on, just in case, he believed in having a "rainy day" fund. That all meant he had no down payment to buy the house. Dale and Erma once again showed him the kind of people they were when they offered, "If you can't buy the house right now, you and Teddy can just stay with us until you're in a better financial position."
Daryl was taken aback, and once again so grateful for their generosity, but he explained, "That's the nicest offer I ever had, but I think I can swing gettin' the house. I'm a combat veteran and there's the G.I. Bill of Rights that got passed in '44. Buying a house is one of the things it's meant ta be used for." The loan officer agreed. Daryl didn't need a down payment, just closing costs, and the loan was guaranteed by the U.S. government and at a special low interest rate. Unbelievably, the payment turned out to be not much more than he'd pay for rent.
Still, Daryl Dixon was not a man comfortable with being in debt. He vowed to himself he would get the house paid for within five years.
That night the Horvath's spoke to Daryl again about Teddy and how much they wanted to be part of his life, "And yours too Daryl, we're family now." They offered to watch the baby while his Daddy was at work, and anytime Daryl would like to get out, Dale smiled, "You never know son, you might meet a nice woman sometime."
Daryl could feel the heat on his cheeks, "Nah, I don't think that's in the cards for me, but I might take ya up on watching him so I can get out and do some huntin' n fishin' once in a while, at least until Teddy's old enough ta go with me."
Erma just nodded in agreement while she thought to herself, someday a woman is going to come along who will knock this young man right off his feet. What she said was, "We'll take Teddy any time you need us to Daryl. We're grateful that you called, and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity. And speaking of being blessed, our church is just over on Montrose street, remember, we went by it? It will be so nice for all of us to go to Sunday services together and have dinner here afterward, just like families do."
For years Dixon had a firm plan to be a business owner, when Teddy came along the plan included being a good Daddy. What he never planned on being was a churchgoer. "Um, yeah well, I dunno. I ain't really one for church. They had some services in the army and I had ta go to those, but other than that, I ain't sure it's for me."
Erma just smiled and patted his hand, "I understand Daryl, I'm not going to try and force you to go to church. I'd just like you to think about it, and maybe if you give it a try you'll see it's a nice thing for Teddy. He'll get a solid foundation, and it's good family time. It only lasts an hour or so, then we can all come home and have a nice meal together."
"I'll think about it Ma'am," and he did.
The idea of getting dressed up to sit on a hard bench didn't sound appealing, but he worked it over in his mind. What he wanted more than anything was to give Teddy the kind of life he never had. When he was a kid he used to wish he came from one of those families where Dad goes to work and mows the yard, while Mom takes care of the kids and the house. Erma's right. His school friends all went to Sunday services and everyone had dinner together afterward. Maybe he should try and give that life to Teddy.
Besides, it wasn't like he was signing up for a lifetime membership, even Erma said he could quit going anytime. So, he went to the JC Penny store and got himself a white dress shirt, a black tie, slacks and a pair of shoes that weren't for work and they weren't for hunting and fishing. He wore those same clothes every Sunday, and the second Monday of every month he'd take them to the cleaners and pick them up on Friday. That church shirt and slacks were the only things Daryl owned that got pressed. Two years ago he had to replace the shirt and slacks. It's about time to do that again.
As it turned out, he didn't mind church as much as he thought he would. He'd always pictured a preacher pointing his finger and talking about everyone's sins, and how they're all going to hell in a handbasket if they don't change their ways. This preacher though, he wasn't like that. Daryl kind of liked him and he did think it was probably good for Teddy, and good for all four of them to be together, because more and more he had those feelings, the four of them were a family.
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Present Time
Beth has a big smile on her face and a spring in her step when she walks through the door of the café, and Jim grins as he calls out from the kitchen, "Hey there Beth."
She answers back, "Hi Jim! I'm just going to make a quick call to my folks before I start baking."
"Take your time." Jim's sure he knows where the smile came from, he saw Beth and Daryl Dixon together out front, but he's not going to say a thing about it. Although he kind of hopes she shares.
Beth deposits a nickel in the phone, dials the number and the mechanical operator voice tells her to deposit 30 cents for the next three minutes. She reaches in her pocket for more change.
Mama answers on the first ring, "Bethie, is it you?"
"Yes! Hi Mama, gosh I've missed your voice."
"Daddy and I have been missing you too. How are things going?"
"Everything is so good Mama; I even have a new job."
Beth proceeds to tell her mother all about her baking job and Annette Greene declares, "I always knew you'd take that skill somewhere Beth, good for you…" and the mechanical voice says, "deposit an additional 30 cents for the next three minutes," but Mama says, "Just hang up, I'll call right back."
The payphone rings and Beth's Mama says, "Daddy and I are so proud of you. Are you making some friends?"
"Yes Mama. Of course you've met Jim who I work for, he's very nice, and the lady who lives in the apartment across from me, her name is Carol. She is so kind Mama. She really helped me with information about the public laundry, where things are located in town, and I sure enjoy visiting her shop and looking at all the lovely things. The woman who works the shift after mine, Amy, we're about the same age and we talk a lot." She swallows adding, "I even found a church I like, and today a very nice older couple invited me to their home for Sunday dinner."
"My gosh daughter, you're really spreading your wings! You're getting around there much better than you did here," Mama's all smiles on the other end of the line, "You sound so much happier, and I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you Mama, but I sure do miss you and Daddy."
A mother knows, and Annette Greene suspects there's more to all this cheerfulness than she's being told. Could Beth have met a man? She doesn't ask, at least not now. She's just relieved to hear her daughter so happy.
"That's good to know because we're planning to take a trip to see you in the next few weeks. We thought we'd come on a Friday afternoon and stay until early Sunday evening."
Beth's mind is racing when she answers, "That's wonderful Mama, I can't wait." She wants to see her parents so badly, but she knows that somehow this is going to require some juggling on her part.
"I better go now Bethie, while Daddy can still afford the phone bill. Highway robbery I tell you, we already pay them for the service. All right, love you."
"Love you and Daddy too, kisses." And the phone line goes dead.
He enjoyed the ham dinner Miss Erma fixed, and he especially liked that Beth was there sitting next to him, first in church and then at the dinner table. But right now, walking home from the Solo Café, he feels like he might throw it all up any minute.
Getting the nerve to tell Beth about him and Andrea made his gut twist and his head ache, but he's glad he told her there is no woman. Not Andrea, not anyone. But he feels like a dope for not hanging around for a minute, shit, why did he run off so quick? Why didn't he try for a kiss?
He's just not sure how to act around a woman like her. She seems so sweet and refined, and innocent. He's never known anyone quite like Beth, but there's something about her that worries him too. He doesn't always see sadness in those big blue eyes, but he catches a glimpse of it from time to time, and the scar on her wrist tells him she tried to hurt herself. Why? What happened to her? And what would she think if she heard his story.
For all the thinking he's done on the short walk home, Daryl didn't think about the fact that when he walks back in their door Dale and Erma Horvath will have a question or two for him. He doesn't mind really, they're the only people in the world who know everything about him, there's no reason to start keeping secrets now.
He feels so awkward, and Dale and Erma aren't surprised. They know he's a naturally private person, but he tells them, "I had no idea Olivia was leavin' the Solo, but when I walked in the place last Monday morning she was gone and Beth was there…" he shrugs again and then his words are rushed, "And I think…I think she's pretty and real sweet, so yeah, I might like to get to know her but...I dunno, why would someone like Beth wanna get herself involved with a man who's already got a child?"
Erma won't let him get away with that, "Maybe because you're such a good man Daryl, and a business owner, and that child is the sweetest little boy in the world."
Erma continues, "I did hear at my sewing circle, Olivia and Reverend Eastman married quietly last weekend and moved to his new assignment in Columbus. How wonderful for them," then she smiles and adds, "I suppose it worked out wonderfully for you too Daryl."
Dale shakes his head and says, "Don't tease the boy Erma, he's having a hard enough time."
As soon as she walks back to the kitchen Jim's asking Beth, "Was that Daryl I saw with you?" she instantly turns scarlet and Jim catches himself, "Oh hey, never mind, I'm sorry. It ain't my business."
She's had a minute to get a grip and she responds, "No, it's just, the Horvath's asked me to sit with them at church and have Sunday dinner with them. Daryl was there and when I said I had to leave he walked me over here."
They're both uncomfortable and Jim changes the topic of conversation, "So what kind of pies are you making today?"
Here's a subject she's comfortable discussing, "I was thinking of a banana cream, a lemon rub, apple, and a pecan."
"Sounds good, I might have to have a slice of that banana cream."
Monday morning it's hard for her not to keep glancing out the window every two minutes until she seems them, and without thinking she allows the smile to cross her lips. The little bell jingles when Daryl and Teddy come walking through the door, and they're right on time.
As soon as they're seated she's there with water and smiling that real smile, "Good morning gentlemen, can I get you coffee and milk to start?"
They both smile back and Teddy says, "Mornin' Miz Bet, I like pancakes peez."
"Well let's check with Daddy first, and they're apple this morning, not banana."
He looks to Daryl and asks, "Daddy, do I like apple pancakes?"
His Daddy smiles, "Pretty sure ya would, but if ya want pie later we better not have sugar for breakfast. How about sausage n eggs, and a biscuit with gravy?"
Teddy doesn't argue much, he just sticks out that bottom lip and says, "I like pancakes."
His Daddy roughs his hair and says, "I know son, I'm sorry. Believe it or not, I'm try'n ta look out for ya."
It happens when Daryl pays for their meal, as he's handing her the money his hand glides across hers for a moment, and the look he gives her is so warm she'd swear she can feel it down to her toes.
As for Daryl, he's remembering the very first time he looked in those sad blue eyes. He felt it then and he feels it now. For the third time in his life everything is going to change completely, and it will all have something to do with the pretty blonde waitress.
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A/N We have a little more background now. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I hope to see you back next Thursday for more of Love at the Solo Café. Until remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee