PEACH SCHNAPPS AND GUN POWDER CHAPTER 2
His first day at the Greene farm hadn't come soon enough.
When he had brought up that he had found more employment, that he would be gone a lot more, Carol hadn't been to happy. There was a quiet resentment in her eyes as she watched him get dressed that morning.
"Don't forget about your sick daughter," she'd clipped as she sat with her back to him on the edge of the bed. Anger flared in Daryl's chest.
"I'm doing this for my daughter. You think I want to be out there busting my ass day and night? I don't; I'm exhausted, Carol, but we don't have a damn choice. So how about you stop busting my chops and show some damn appreciation," he snapped back, tugging on one of his flannel shirts with the sleeves taken off. He picked up the keys to his bike and exited the room before she could reply. Normally, he ignores the remarks, he knew she was stressing just as much as he was but he was just too tired to bite his tongue.
He fired up his cycle and pulled it out of the garage before tearing off down the road as the sun broke the horizon. It was a 20-minute drive to the Greene's and the cool wind of the morning whipped around his face, neck and arms. For those few minutes, he just enjoyed the wind, the freedom. In those moments, the disappointment, the fear and exhaustion didn't matter.
The Greene Farm was a massive affair. The large white house sat smack dab in the front, the wrap around porch and open windows giving it an old, welcoming feeling. Off to the back on the left, he saw chicken coops and ducks waddling across the lawn. To the right, down some ways, were a few apple, peach and pear trees, the fruits ripe and ready in the cool morning air. Behind that and on the other side of the road from the house were cattle and a small pig pen. A large barn, the doors open and exposing a large tractor, four wheelers and a beat-up old Chevy, stood closer to the house.
As Daryl pulled up, he paused momentarily in front of the homestead. He could he faint conversations coming through the open windows along with the smell of bacon, making his stomach grumble. Slowly, he pulled into the drive and parked the Triumph carefully before walking up to the front door. The second porch step groaned under his weight and he made a mental note of it to fix at a later date. Daryl pushed some of shaggy, dark hair out of his face and took a deep breath, bringing his knuckles up to wrap against the painted wood of the screen door.
Beth Greene had just managed to finish drying the dishes, slipping by her sister, Maggie, and her new boyfriend, Glenn, to put the plates up on the table as everyone chatted. This was a typical Saturday morning in the Greene house. The kitchen was full with herself, Maggie and Glenn and Otis as she was trying to get breakfast made. Maggie bustled past her, planting a chaste kiss to the top of the blonde's head, a bowl of biscuit dough in her arms.
"Why don't you run out and get a few more eggs, Beth? Daddy says he hired a new hand and he's gonna need something to eat too if he's gonna tackle all that Dad wants him too," She said as she placed the bowl on the counter and began dusting said counter with flour. Beth grinned and nodded as she finished placing the plates. Tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her ear, there was a loud knock at the front door.
Snatching up the egg basket from its place at the end of the counter, she headed towards the door.
"I'll get it! I'll be back with the eggs in a second," she called over her shoulder as the 18-year-old headed out. She moved quickly to the door but stopped just before reaching it.
On the other side, looking off to his right, was Daryl Dixon. She had seen him around town a few times, mostly at the garage he owned. Honestly, she had thought he was cute. Most of the young girls in Kings County did. With his dark looks and serious countenance, he was instant hit with the ladies in Kings County. The younger Dixon brother had been as notorious as his older brother for years. But then he got married and seemed to do a 180. He started his garage, severed ties with Merle and built a life. He was good man and Beth knew Hershel respected him. When word started around town about his daughter dying and troubles in his marriage, Beth felt only pity for the man. He always looked aloof but now he only looked exhausted and sad. There was an echoing emptiness that reverberated from him now and it broke Beth's heart every time she caught a glimpse of him.
Now, on the porch, it wasn't any different. In the glare of the morning sun against his tanned skin and dark hair, that darkness still clung to him. As she reached the door, he took a step back, giving her space to push open the screen door and step outside with him.
Daryl shifted on his feet and pushed his hair back.
"Mornin', ma'am. Is Hershel up and around yet?" he asked, his dark eyes meeting her blue ones momentarily. Beth gave him a soft smile and nodded.
"Daddy's in the barn, Mr. Dixon. Here, I'm headed that way; I'll take you," she said softly, holding the egg basket in front of her as she gave a small nod and headed down the steps. Daryl hesistated, watching the small blonde move out into the bright sunlight, the glare making her almost difficult to look at as he began to follow her. He'd never met any of Hershel's children but this one looked familiar. Maybe he'd seen her around town.
The walk to the barn was silent save for Beth's chatter about how he was going to love it here. He grunted a few replies, following a few steps behind the young teen, a dark cloud chasing the sun. When they reached the barn, they found Hershel with his sleeves rolled up and half inside an old tractor, looking at the motor.
"Ah! There you are Daryl. Just in time too. It seems this job is more suited for a professional like yourself, son," Hershel said with a laugh and small smile as he straightened up. His eyes met his youngest daughter's and he gave a nod.
"I see you've met my youngest, Beth. She'll be the one helping you with most of the two-body chores around here," the old man stated, moving to put his arm around his daughter and Daryl moved closer to the motor of the tractor, ready to work and fall into something where he didn't have to think about the hellish mess that was his mind. He nodded at Beth and held out his hand for the smiling girl to take.
"Probably shoulda' introduced myself when you answered the door," he said quietly, slightly embarrassed as he picked up a socket wrench from the small toolbox at his feet where Hershel had left it.
"It's alright. I know you're a pretty quiet guy," she replied after shaking his hand. Daryl looked at the both of them and then gave a small nod before giving a jerk of his arm to gesture towards the broken machine.
"So, what exactly happened when this broke down?"