A/N Greetings from Ketchikan, Alaska. People are talking, Beth's sad and wants to leave town, and Daryl's determined to fix it all. Why did he call Merle?
Enjoy!
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There's no meanness or bossiness in his voice, he sounds worried and anxious, "Beth, I ain't leavin' here til ya promise me you'll stay in town. Just give me a week ta make things right."
"You'll never be able to stop people from talking, it's what they do, and besides Daryl, it's not your responsibility to fix things."
He makes a point then, "Well it ain't just you they're talking about ya know, it's me too. It's us. I ain't happy about what's goin' on either, and I'ma figure out how ta put a stop to it. There's a couple other things I'ma make right and…just promise me ya won't just run off, Beth. A week is all I'm askin'."
"I'm sorry, I was only thinking about myself, I didn't even consider your feelings. I'm not usually so selfish." She moves in a little closer, "I don't want to leave here Daryl." Then she casts her eyes down, her cheeks turn pink and she gets honest, "I don't want to leave you, Daryl, but how can I stay when people are saying such crude things? They're just making up lies."
He takes a step closer as he assures her, "I'ma make things right, including the talkin'. I promise."
She doesn't know how he'll manage to do that, but she's decided she should just be grateful he wants to, and so she promises him she'll stay.
He can't just walk out her door. Before he leaves he takes her in his arms one more time, and when he kisses her they feel the warmth, everything seems so right. The desire begins to build and it makes them forget all the bad things that have happened, until Daryl pulls away. He's got to stop, he's got to be careful, he can't let this get out of hand.
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"Little brother, I ain't heard from ya in a while. Where ya been?"
"These phones work both ways Merle, mine ain't been ringing either."
Merle chuckles, "A'ight, fair enough. How ya doin' kid, and how's my pal Teddy?"
"Doin' all right. Teddy's got a little flu but he's on the mend, business is good, but I need sumthin' Merle."
"I didn't think ya called me just ta bullshit. Whaddya want brother?"
"I need a game and I'm lookin' for high stakes."
"I see, like how high a stakes are we talkin' about? What're ya hopin' ta walk away with?"
"I need ta make two grand, but if I won more I wouldn't throw the extra away."
Merle laughs, then it all turns very serious, "I thought ya gave up gamblin' on account a Teddy n all."
"I did, this is gonna be a one time deal. I gotta make somethin' right for someone, pay off a debt. I play, I get the two grand I need, and I walk away."
Merle's wondering if he should even tell Daryl about the game, but shit, his brother's a grown man. He can decide for himself whether he wants to involve himself with that asshole again. "Yeah, I know a game. it's a buncha fat cats and once a month the head fat cat rents a fancy suite in one a them swanky downtown Atlanta hotels. They play all weekend for the kinda money you're lookin' ta win and much more, and it so happens they're playin' this weekend. Ya gotta have 500 bucks cash ta buy in, and another hundred that goes in the pot to buy the booze, food and cigars for the weekend. You got that kind a cash brother?"
"I could put it together."
"I'm sure the big cat's gonna want ya to play. I've see him around now n then and he always asks if you're looking for a game. He's anxious ta even the score with you brother, you took a lotta cash offa him."
Daryl thinks he knows then, "Is it that asshole Philip Blake, the so-called governor?"
"One and the same, so yeah, you shouldn't have any trouble gettin' in, but listen kid, you're still my baby brother and I'm worried about you gettin' mixed up with these shitheads again. They're serious players, and even more serious about keeping their money, if ya know what I mean."
Daryl breathes in, says, "I appreciate it Merle, I do, but I ain't gonna be doing' anythin' wrong, you know that. No cheatin', no deception, just honest play. I'm counting on luck and skill both. They can't blame anyone but themselves if they lose in an honest game."
Merle lets out a resigned sigh, "A'ight, but what about the other? Why are ya suddenly hurtin' for money?"
"I ain't hurtin', it ain't like that. I'll tell ya what's goin' on, but I don't wanna hear any shit about it Merle."
That's when big brother knows, "Well I'll be go ta hell, it's a woman. Now listen here little brother, if she cares for ya you don't need ta spoil her, buyin' her fancy things n whatnot. She's gonna care for ya anyway."
"Shit Merle, who are you?"
Merle's belly laughing now, "The hell if I know. I'm thinkin' a startin' one them advice for the lovelorn columns in the newspaper." Then he's serious again, "I seen a lotta life brother, I know a thing or two and I'm just lookin' out for ya is all. I don't want ya riskin' everythin' ya got for some broad. Shit, what's up with this woman, why ya gotta get her all this money?"
Daryl needs the game, and his brother's the one who can get him in. He needs other favors too, so he tells Merle the story. Then he tells him everything he knows about Randall.
Merle's nodding, pacing as far as the six foot phone cord will allow, "Just so ya know, I ain't approvin' of any a this kid, but I ain't gonna say 'no' either. I get it. So, if ya want in the game you'd have ta be down here tomorrow. I'd invite ya to stay at my place, but like I said, you're gonna be in that game all weekend. Them fellas never quit."
"Thanks Merle. I'll close up at noon tomorrow, get ta the bank, and then head right for your place. What about the other, this Randall Jones fucker?"
"Well, I know plenty a lowlifes and the thing about lowlifes is, they usually know each other. I'm sure I know a lowlife who knows that lowlife. If he's still in Georgia, I'll find him."
"Thanks Merle, thanks brother. Now all I gotta worry about is stoppin' the gossip."
"You kiddin'? That's the easiest problem you got ta solve brother."
"Oh it is huh? How's that?"
"Daryl, you're about ta risk everythin' you got ta try n square some debt this woman thinks she owes her Daddy. If that ain't love, then what the fuck is? So move her in with ya, make it official. That'll stop the talk." Daryl's stunned, then his brother adds, "Anyway, she sounds as sweet as sugar, and you've always been the sweet one Daryl. Damn if we don't have us a match made in heaven." Then he laughs so hard Daryl has to hold the receiver away from his ear.
Daryl's only response is, "I'll be at your place with the cash tomorrow afternoon. Get me in the game brother." When he hangs up he asks himself two questions, "What kind of fuckin' idiot am I?" and "Shit, should I?" Nah, that…well shit, that could end badly.
It was too late to call Erma and Dale last night, those two hit the sack early. So, with Teddy's bag packed and the little boy bundled up, Daryl arrives at the Horvath home at 5:15am, knowing they'll be up. Teddy's sleeping in his arms when the older couple cautiously open the door, then pull it wide as Erma whisper-yells her question, "Daryl, come inside, is everything all right? What's going on?"
"I need ta talk to ya." Merle's always willing to help him out, but for now Daryl's craving some good sound advice and the Horvath's are the closest thing he's had to real parents. He wants to hear what they have to say.
The adults sit in the living room quietly sipping coffee, while Teddy is sound asleep in his bed. Daryl starts his story at the beginning, telling the older couple what happened between him and Beth at the garage. They smile at each other and Dale takes Erma's hand, then Daryl tells them what Spencer said and their smiles disappear.
They remain quietly listening as Daryl tells them about Carol coming over and all the things she had to say about the talk at the diner. Erma gets angry, "How dare those people talk that way about Beth, and about you too Daryl. It reflects on both of you. Why I have a mind to make a few calls and straighten some folks out myself."
He nods but says, "That's okay ma'am, I'll take care of it. I ain't too worried about my feelins, but Beth, she's so shook up she wants ta leave town n all." He catches himself, "Wait, I jumped ahead there." He tells them about his visit with Beth, and he tells them what they discussed.
It's Dale who speaks up, "Well if her Daddy says she doesn't owe the money, she shouldn't feel that she does. What happened could have happened to anyone, I'm so sorry it happened to Beth."
Erma agrees, "It's a darn shame, and poor Beth, she could save her money forever and never get that debt paid off. "
Daryl's confident about two things, he can fix any car and he knows how to gamble and win, "I can get the money. I plan ta get it this weekend, if y'all will keep Teddy for me."
Dale catches on instantly, "Poker?"
"Yeah, there's a game in Atlanta, high stakes."
Erma's shaking her head, "Daryl, do you think that's right? Gambling doesn't seem like a proper way to earn money."
"I know ya feel that way, and I know it ain't the way most folks would do things, but poker is what I know. Maybe it was God who gave me the ability ta win at it."
Dale shrugs, "Well he's got you there, Erma." Then he turns to Daryl and says, "I'm conflicted myself. I'm proud of you for wanting to help Beth out, and for being willing to risk everything you have for her," He shakes his head ans sighs, "However, I'm not particularly happy about the thought of you taking a chance with all your money in a poker game." He claps a hand on the younger man's shoulder and says, "It's your decision to make though, you're a grown man Daryl."
Daryl nods, chewing his bottom lip when he says, "I ain't riskin' everythin', I'd never do that to Teddy. I've always kept enough back ta keep us in good shape even if I couldn't work for a couple months." He nods his head while he's thinking, "I'ma do it, I have to, if you folks will keep Teddy."
Erma smiles, "You know I'm always willing to have my Teddy here, and Daryl, when you stop by the café this morning, please tell Beth we'll be there to pick her up for church on Sunday."
He's been chewing the side of his thumb, but now he smiles, "You will? That's nice, I'll tell her. And thanks folks."
Dale smiles, "You could just make an honest woman of her Daryl. I see it coming anyway, why don't the two of you go ahead and get married?"
Daryl can't believe Dale's suggesting something like that. He swallows hard and responds with the only thing he can think to say, "We hardly know each other, we only just met."
Erma nods, "That's true son, yet you seem willing to risk everything for her. Maybe Dale's right."
Dale nods and softly laughs, "Yep, and she can cook."
By the time Daryl gets to the Solo his head feels like it might explode. There's too much to think about.
00
It's never been more difficult for Beth to get herself up and out of bed. It's not because she's tired from being up late, and it's not because even once she went to bed, she barely slept. How could she possibly sleep when her mind kept replaying all the events of the day. But, what really kept her up was knowing what people were saying about her.
How is she going to go to work, how is she going to look in the faces of all those people at the counter, smile and ask, "What can I get you today?" How can this day be anything but terrible? She has to get to work though, she can't leave Jim in a spot. Besides, she promised Daryl she would, they promised each other they'd give it a week. He said he would make things better, and she cares for him enough that she wants to believe that he can.
She's dragging herself around like she has a 1000 pound weight tied to her as she makes her breakfast. She's not hungry, and she doesn't feel like eating, but she knows from experience she has to. The compromise she makes is it will just be a light breakfast and later, if she feels better, she'll have a snack at work. For now, she settles for peeling an orange and toasting a slice of bread, it's something.
She gives herself a little lecture, reminding herself she needs to keep a positive attitude or things really can go wrong, then gets her uniform on, puts her hair in a ponytail and gets downstairs, before she can change her mind.
Jim greets her with a kind of pep talk the minute she walks in the door, "You just do what you always do Beth. If any of these folks gives you trouble, or cracks wise with ya, you holler for me. I'll boot em out the door."
He's so good to her, and she does feel better knowing he's on her side, "Thanks Jim, I'll be fine."
Everything seems normal enough with the folks at the counter, no one is saying a word about anything they shouldn't, and Beth is serving up all the usual, pancakes and eggs, biscuits and gravy, cheesy grits and bacon. There hasn't been a wisecrack or a snicker, but then the jerks, Negan Smith and his buddies Simon and Jed, haven't arrived at the Solo yet.
All of them give her the creeps, but still she's polite to them, she never treats them any differently than her other customers. She can't understand why they want to be so mean to her.
Someone else hasn't arrived yet either. Daryl promised he'd be in this morning, but it's 6:35 and he's not here yet. A minute later she looks at the clock again, and just as she does, in walks Negan and Simon. Both men look at her with big devilish grins on their faces. She tries not to think about anything but her work as she takes them water and coffee and asks, "What can I get you gentlemen this morning?"
The smile Negan gives her makes her cringe, and his words have her stomach lurching, "Let's you n me get real close and talk about all the things you can give me, Sugar."
As the words are being spoken Daryl's walking in the door, and Jim is rushing to the end of the counter and sounding gruff, "That's enough Negan, I warned ya not ta talk ta my girls that way, go on now, git. You're not welcome here."
Daryl doesn't stop to think about it, he's already behind Negan with his arm wrapped around the man's neck and he's drawing it tight, choking Negan. He growls, "Wanna say it again?"
Negan laughs as though this is all one big joke and says, "C'mon Daryl, I'm just tryin' to get what she already gave you, that's fair ain't it?"
Daryl drags him off his stool and out front to the sidewalk, just about the time Sheriff Grimes is walking down the street. The sheriff speaks with authority when he asks, "Hey now you two, what's going on here?"
Jim is already out the door of the café and explains, "Hey Rick, Negan was getting mouthy with my waitress and Daryl here was escorting him out of the cafe for me. He's not welcome in my establishment."
"I see, okay Negan, you heard the man. You best get on down the road before I have to take action." Then he adds, "Go on Daryl, let loose of him." Daryl does as he's told, but only because for now he's got more pressing things to take care of. Someday soon though it'll happen, he'll teach Negan a thing or two.
Daryl and Jim stand out on the sidewalk talking for a few minutes, while Beth tries to keep everyone happy inside, freshening their coffee and water.
The customers all pretend not to notice, and no one's surprised about it, when Daryl comes in and pulls the waitress aside for a few minutes. They all just wish they could hear what Daryl and Beth are talking about.
"Daryl, I…where are you going?"
"I'm just goin' down by my brother's place in Atlanta, I'll be back on Sunday. Jim knows how ta get a hold a me if he has to. Him and Carol are gonna keep an eye on everythin' so ya don't have ta worry, and Dale and Erma will be by ta pick ya up for church and dinner on Sunday."
She's tired and cranky and it shows, "So you've planned out my whole weekend, huh? Lucky me."
"Please Beth, don't be like that, please, I'm just tryin' ta do the right thing here." And when she looks in those icy blue eyes she knows that's true, and she doesn't want to fight with him. Without considering that the whole place is watching, she wraps her arms around his waist and says, "Okay, but gee whiz Daryl, why do you have to go now?"
"I'll tell ya all about it when I get back, it ain't anythin' bad, I promise." He gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and he's gone.
From the cafe Daryl hurries to his shop, he has three customers coming in for oil changes this afternoon. He calls each and asks to reschedule for Monday afternoon. The only one to complain is Mrs. Niedermeyer, but when Daryl says, "I'm sorry ma'am, I know you'll understand when I tell ya, it just can't be helped. I'm real sorry."
She calms a little and says, "All right then, I'll see you Monday."
He puts a handmade sign in the window that says, "Sorry, closed until Monday morning." Then goes about doing everything that needs to be done before he leaves.
Beth stays at the Solo all afternoon Friday, baking pies, rolls, biscuits and even making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. She's in no rush to get home, but when Carol closes her shop at five and comes over to the café, she insists, "C'mon Beth, time to give it a rest. Let's sit, I'll have dinner with you," and Beth realizes how tired and hungry she is.
After dinner Carol walks with her to her door and says, "I'll be by at seven-thirty in the morning, we'll go to the laundry together, and then the grocery. How's that?"
"Really Carol, are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, I have to do those things anyway, and they'll be much more pleasant if we do them together."
"What about the shop?"
"A young friend of mine named Lydia is going to open for me. She needs a little cash and I need some time away to get caught up."
She misses Daryl so much, and she's anxious to hear the story about why he had to suddenly leave, but Beth manages to have a nice weekend, especially when Amy comes by Saturday afternoon. They sit at Beth's little table and drink a coke while Beth fills Amy in on everything that's happened. By then it's nearly five and they go downstairs to the café to have dinner together.
Jim has just set their meals in front of them when the payphone rings. Amy volunteers, "I'll get it Jim." She answers, "Hello, Solo Café, how can I help you? Beth? Yes, she's right here. Just a moment." Amy smiles, "It's your Mama," as she hands the phone to Beth.
"Hi Mama, wait, what…um, okay. Well yes, of course I want you to come, you just caught me by surprise is all. Okay, yes, I love you too, and I can't wait to see you."
Beth hangs up, looks over at Amy and says, "Mama and Daddy are going to be here in the morning, in time for church."
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A/N My gosh there's a lot going on! 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 week for more of Love at the Solo Café. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee