Red River Blue

Chapter 4

Kelly was nervous when their group was split up. She could tell the people in this community were just being cautious. And she didn't think they had any ill intentions. But after sleeping in the same large shipping container with the rest of her group for years, it felt unsettling to be separated from them. She gripped Connie's hand, grateful that at least they were together.

The man that offered them hospitality was one of the biggest men she ever saw. He was not only tall, but broad through the shoulders and heavily muscled. Just having him approach her made Kelly nervous. But she quickly relaxed when she realized his personality was in stark contrast to his physique. Tyreese was soft spoken and quiet. He held the door open for them when they arrived at his house.

Kelley stepped into the living room, surprised to see that children sized cubbies and small lockers lined the wall. Several large toy bins were arranged on the opposite wall. One had toys spilling out the front of it. The next room held a few small tables, with brightly colored plastic chairs. And there were a few highchairs and a playpen pushed against the wall. A few lines of rope were stretched across the wall. Close pins were attached to the ropes, displaying sloppy works of art. A few of them looked like the paint was still drying. Kelly smiled as Connie signed to her.

"Do you live here with your family?," Kelly asked, repeating the question Connie wanted the answer to. Tyreese shook his head. He gave the women a soft sad smile.

"My only family was my sister Sasha. And she died a few years ago. I don't have a family of my own yet," he explained, his eyes lingering on Connie for just a moment. "I run the town daycare."

Kelly couldn't help the little laugh that bubbled out of her. Of all the jobs she would have guessed this man might have, a preschool teacher would not have been anywhere on that list. He must look like Gulliver in the land of Lilliput taking care of the town's children. A giant among tiny munchkins. Kelly signed to her sister. Connie giggled the same as she did when she learned the big man's occupation. She whipped out her notepad and scribbled down a hastily written note, handing it to Tyreese.

I'm sorry about your sister.

"Thank you," Tyresse said, giving her the same gentle sad smile. Kelly was surprised when Connie stepped forward and placed her hand on his giant forearm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. They had learned long ago to be wary of strangers. Especially men. But it seemed this one had already won her sister's trust. Kelly wasn't attracted to men. But even she could see this one was not only handsome, but seemed very genuine and kind. It was obvious her sister felt the same.

Tyreese showed them around his house. Kelly smiled at the two upstairs rooms that held cribs and small toddler beds. He led them to a room that looked like it hadn't been used in a while, and explained that it was his sister's room. He told them they were welcome to take or borrow whatever clothing items they wanted from the closet and dresser. And he offered to wash their clothes for them. He showed them where the bathroom was and where he kept his extra towels. And then much to Kelly's relief, Tyreese made himself scarce so that they would have some privacy while they bathed and changed their clothes.

By the time Kelly forced herself out of the first hot shower she had in years, good smells were drifting up the stairs. She found her sister in the kitchen, perched on the countertop with a glass of wine. As Tyreese didn't know sign language, communication between them was limited. But they didn't seem to be letting that get in the way. The big man was smiling at her sister as he lifted a large piece of fish from a fry pan. And she was smiling back at him, nibbling on a carrot stick.

"Hi," Tyreese said, smiling at Kelly over his shoulder. He had a little plate of cut vegetables and dip set out for them to snack on while he made dinner. And he offered Kelly a glass of wine or ice water. She decided to take water for now. Kelly wasn't old enough to drink before the turn. And hadn't had much opportunity to experiment since then. She wasn't sure how a glass of wine would affect her.

Just as they were about to sit down at the kitchen table for dinner, another man arrived. This one was much smaller in stature than Tyreese. And wearing the religious garb of a priest. But he had the same welcoming smile for the sisters as his friend.

"I'm father Gabriel," he said, extending his hand to Kelly and then Connie. Tyreese was happy to make introductions for the women. And then the four of them sat down together at the table to eat. The dinner conversation flowed slowly. Kelly had to translate for Connie and then speak for her if she had something to say. But neither of the men seemed to mind. The four of them exchanged stories and talked a little about their lives before the outbreak.

"You sure you don't mind watching the center for me for a few days while I'm gone?," Tyreese asked the other man. He nodded, assuring Tyreese that it was no problem and he planned to enjoy his time watching over the town's smallest residents. Connie signaled to her sister, but it wasn't necessary. Kelly was already gearing up to ask the man the same question Connie wanted the answer to.

"Where are you going?," she asked. He smiled.

"I volunteered to travel with you to Hilltop," he said. "...make sure you get there safe, and get settled in okay." Connie favored the man with a pretty smile. It was obvious that she was eager to spend more time with him. And from his smile back, he clearly felt the same way. Kelly guessed that was why he volunteered in the first place. Before they could make any further conversation, Kelly heard the sound of some live music drifting in the open windows. Gabriel suggested they take their drinks out on the front porch.

Kelly waved at Luke, happy to see that another member of her group seemed to be enjoying himself. He was strumming on a bass guitar. The two blonde women that sponsored him earlier were there, singing and playing guitars. Aiden, the man with the eyepatch, was also present and adjusting the stand on an electric keyboard. And a teenage boy with a sleeveless shirt and a shaggy crop of overgrown blonde hair was tapping along on an old beat up drum set. The music didn't have much rhythm to it yet. But that didn't seem to be stopping people from coming out on their porches to listen. Judith and Monroe, their two little rescuers from earlier, were dancing around together in the driveway of the house while the little pickpocket that snatched Magna's lighter watched from nearby. Another teenager, the pretty blonde girl that was on guard duty when they arrived, approached and grabbed the boy by his hands, pulling him into the driveway and coaxing him into dancing with her. Before long, the little band was belting out a passable version of brown eyed girl.

Tyreese pointed out a few people that were going to be joining them on their trip, telling Kelly their names and explaining who they were. Mika was the girl that was dancing in the driveway. She and Sam, the boy that was playing the drums, had both been adopted by the woman that ran this town and her husband. They were coming along. Beth, one of the girls that sponsored Luke, was coming. Along with Merle, his wife River, and their son.

"They're bringing their son with them?," Kelly asked. She knew she saw the two girls outside the walls earlier that day. But it still seemed risky to take a child out on a long road trip. But the idea did make her feel more secure. If these people were willing to bring their son along, they must feel confident that they would be able to keep him and the other members of their group safe.

"They have to bring him," Tyreese explained with a laugh. "He's a little terrorist. No one in town will watch him."