Red River Blue

Chapter 42

"It is kinda cute," River admitted, finally unable to resist the tiny puppy that was running around and between everyone's legs while they worked to set her bakery booth up. She lowered herself down, rubbing her hands over the puppy and scratching him behind the ears. "You should build him a doghouse," River suggested, glancing at Daryl. "Make sure it's big enough fer you ta fit inside!" River squealed as the puppy lunged at her, falling back onto her ass as she laughed at her own witty remark.

"Shut the fuckin' hell up River," Daryl huffed, "...it's yer fault I'm in trouble." Daryl's angry comment only made River laugh harder.

"No one forced you to act a fool," Wren announced, rolling her eyes at the dirty look Daryl was throwing her way. For a minute he looked like he was thinking about giving her some of the attitude he had been giving her father all afternoon. But before Daryl could say anything, the puppy he was refusing to put on a tie out took off running again. Daryl went after the dog, returning a few minutes later with the wiggling little beast tucked under his arm like a football.

"Ya need ta put that mutt on a leash," Merle hollered for what felt like about the hundredth time. He'd already tripped over the stupid dog about ten times already. And the last time, he almost dropped a heavy folding table on it.

"I don't wanna keep 'im on a leash. I wanna train 'im to stay with me," Daryl argued.

"That's what the fuckin' leash is for ya retard," Merle countered. "Ya use that fer trainin'."

"What the hell do you know 'bout trainin' dogs?," Daryl huffed.

"More than yer dumbass," Merle hollered back. "I housebroke three damn kids."

At that comment, River and Wren nearly exploded in laughter. Not only was Merle not around when his older two girls were learning to use the toilet, his idea of potty training was to teach Axel to pee off the back porch.

Merle was mad about what happened to River. Daryl was upset because Carol was mad at him for what he did at the party. And they had apparently decided to go ahead and take their frustrations out on each other. They'd been arguing all afternoon about nothing. And River hadn't bothered to step in and break it up. Partly because she didn't think it would do any good. And partly because listening to them insult each other was free entertainment.

"Okay!," River chirped. "Let's all take a smoke break and then we need to finish this up because I still have to get all the breakfast shit ready for tomorrow."

River's suggestion got nods all around. It was hot. They'd been moving tables and chairs and tents around for what felt like forever. Most of them were still hungover from the previous night's festivities. And everyone was getting on each other's nerves. Pulling some folding chairs into a haphazard circle, everyone got a cold drink and sipped on them while they passed a joint around.

With everyone's nerves calmed slightly, they were able to finish setting the inside of the tent up. Menu signs were finished and hung. The pink gingham tablecloths that River insisted on were secured to the tables. The solar panels were arranged and hooked up to run the small refrigerator. All the baked goods were carried up and locked into the coolers that were secured to the tables.

Locking everything up made Wren feel sad. She could remember when she knew everyone that came to the fair by name. They used to be able to just leave things out and not worry about them being taken. Wren felt Carl's arm circle her waist, tucking her into his side and kissing her until she was smiling again. He always seemed to just know when she needed a hug.

"Are you excited for the fair to start?," he asked, directing his question to Lydia with a gentle smile.

"Hasn't it already started?," she asked.

Wren offered Lydia a cup of water as she explained that only the leaders' councils and the vendors were here so far. Then, since Lydia looked even more confused, Wren explained that a vendor was the people that were setting up booths to sell things. The first official day of the fair was not until tomorrow. That's when everyone would start showing up. Those people might still do some selling and bartering. But they were mostly there to socialize and spend their fair tokens. Some people only came for a day or two. But most stayed the whole week. There was live music and games. And this year they got the big screen movie theater working again. So there was going to be a movie every night. Wren loved fair week. She looked forward to it all year long.

"There's more people coming?," Lydia asked. She'd already seen more people in one place than she could remember seeing since she was little. She barely remembered her life before the outbreak. But she did remember there were more people around back then. Wren nodded. There were a lot more people coming. Probably hundreds more.

Lydia glanced around the place, watching as the other vendors finished setting up their booths and letting the unfamiliar word bounce around in her mind. She helped set up one of the booths. She wondered if that made her a vendor. And as she looked around, she tried to picture her old group taking part in a gathering like this. They would be allowed inside. From what Lydia understood, anyone that was willing to follow the rules and behave peaceably was allowed to take part in the fair. And her mixed feelings towards her mother began to war for dominance inside her again. She'd been harshly conditioned to believe that places like this didn't exist anymore. But clearly, that was a lie. Lydia found herself wondering how many members of her former group would abandon their ways if they knew having a real life was still a possibility. Her mother said they were free. But Lydia didn't feel free when she was scrounging for worms, terrified that some man might jump her in her sleep. She felt trapped.

"For you," Sam said, wrapping his arm around her as he handed her a mason jar full of fresh cut flowers. Lydia smiled, a hint of sadness still lingering in her eyes. Yeah mom, she thought, this place is really terrible. Fresh bread for breakfast every day and a boy that showers me with gifts and affection. This is pure torture, Lydia thought with a roll of her eyes.

"What am I supposed to do with them?," Lydia asked, glancing at the bouquet in her hands. The flowers were beautiful. The blooms were red and shaped a bit like little stars on the long green stalks. When she held them closer to her face, she noticed they smelled even better than they looked.
"I dunno," Sam chuckled. "Just enjoy them I guess." He knew girls liked flowers, but he wasn't sure what they did with them. He assumed Lydia would want to put the flowers in their tent. To make it smell good in there. But really, Lydia could do whatever she wanted with them. He traded for them to make her smile. And because he guessed no one ever gave her flowers before. Now they were hers to do with as she pleased.

"Here," Wren offered. Stepping closer, Wren snapped one of the bright blooms off the stem. Pulling the front of Lydia's hair back, she tucked the flower into the small ponytail she made. "That looks so pretty! You can put the rest on your tent," Wren suggested. She was rewarded when Lydia's face lit up into a genuine smile. Wren smiled back, glad that the girl finally seemed to be warming up to them.

"Hey!," Daryl barked, gesturing towards the flowers. "Where'd ya get those?" Sam pointed him down the street. Jerry's wife Nabila had a booth this year. And she was selling handmade jewelry and fresh cut flowers. They weren't really supposed to start trading until tomorrow. But that was a rule that was often broken and seldom enforced. Sam laughed as Daryl took off down the street with his new puppy tucked under one arm. His mom never stayed mad at the man for long. No matter what he did. But some flowers probably wouldn't hurt.