All publicly recognized characters are property of Robert Kirkman and TWD universe.
Chapter 3
Daryl POV
"Hey baby brother, is there a chance you can pick up Bonnie again? One of the people I'm sponsoring needs an emergency session. I won't get out until late. Grace can pick her up from the shop when she gets off work at 5."
"Sure man. I can pick short stuff up. Now that I know the procedure I shouldn't make an ass out of myself"
"You know brother, I reckon little miss mouse you spoke to just wanted a little gander at your goods. I've talked to her on account of Bonnie and Sophia, but I ain't never had a 1 on 1 pow-wow with her."
"Shut up Merle, she was just doing her job"
"Whatever you say bro. All I'ms saying is that I've been going there for weeks now, and I ain't never had to show my ID. Maybe everyone just knows ole Merle."
"Alright, I'll go get her, just keep in mind how sugar high she was the last time I brought her back."
"Yea, Grace chewed MY ass for that, you know."
"Haha, talk to you later bro."
I keep replaying Merle's confession in my head as I drive to the local library. Why would she ask for my ID and name if they clearly didn't need it? I had just come from the shop, so I know I was rough looking, but still, I ain't no menace to society. And what was with the conversation. I'm nervous by nature, my old man saw to that when I was a boy. Constantly trying to dodge his drunken attacks put me in a state of near panic at all times. Merle reckons that's why I'm so good at hunting, because I'm always tense and ready to fight.
When I was talking to this woman I got the sense she was just as jumpy as me, which is a rare find. She never tried to hold eye contact like most people do. She was fidgeting and stuttering through the whole thing. Yea, I definitely put her on edge, I just couldn't figure out if it was me or just how she is. These same thoughts had been running through my head for weeks now. I ain't been able to get the damn conversation outta my head since I walked outta the library.
What struck me more than our initial interaction is how she reacted when her daughter almost knocked her down. Little lamb had some power behind those legs, because she almost plowed right through her mama. When my hands went up to steady her, they did so without my permission. I don't like touching people, and it was clear she didn't want me to touch her. Then the strangest thing of all happened. When she scolded her daughter, the little one almost had a panic attack. I've been through them, I know the signs. Apparently Carol did too, because she stopped it in its tracks. Sophia caught me staring at them because I was in complete awe at the whole back and forth. I wish my ma would have been able to bring down my attacks when I's little. She barely noticed me at all through the fog of booze around her, let alone when I needed help.
I need to stop, I tell myself. These thoughts are turning my mood sour, and short stuff doesn't deserve that. Bonnie has quite literally saved our family. When she was born, Merle got his shit together and got sober. Grace wasn't gonna put up with anything less, and Merle knew that. The day I met Bonnie when they let them outta the hospital, my world changed too. I ain't never been addicted to anything, but I know why Merle decided to get sober. That little girl was and is the most precious thing. Her smart, sassy self can work her way into your soul just by talking. I ain't planning on having kids, so I take every chance Merle gives me to spend time with Bonnie. Which is why I am preparing as I park in front of the library. Preparing to embarrass the hell out of myself once again, all for the sake of a 7 year old.
—--
When I get to the front desk, Carol isn't there. Why does that make me disappointed? Maybe now I can get outta here without making myself look like a fool. As I walk up to the older lady tending the counter, I find my eyes wandering. I tell myself that's just what I do, scan my surroundings, but I know better. I am looking for short, curly, strawberry blonde hair.
"Ahem, can I help you?" I whip my head around and stare at the receptionist. The look on her face says this isn't the first time she has asked the question while I was "scanning".
"Uh, yea. I'm here to pick up my niece, Bonnie. Here is my ID, my name is Daryl" I let out the spiel I practiced on the way here.
"Oh, honey I don't need your ID. We are supposed to look, but I know everyone in this town. You're the younger Dixon, right?" She smiles, but I can see from the pinch in her eye that she is well aware what the name Dixon means.
"Yea, so can I go get her?"
"Of course! Do you know where the room is?"
"Yea" I say as I walk off briskly. There is no use playing nice with people who judge instantly by my name. It doesn't matter that Merle turned his life around or that I own a pretty successful business in town. Our daddy's legacy is still casting shadows.
I get to the room, and quickly scan for Bonnie. I see her sitting with Sophia, and there clearly seems to be something wrong. My niece has never been good at masking her emotions, everything she feels is clearly written on her face. I can tell by her frown and the deep set in her eyes that she is upset about something. Before I can make my way over there, Carol pops into view. She was reshelving books, but has clearly noticed the same thing I have. She sets the book down she was holding and walks up to the girls. I decided to stop staring and walk over myself.
When I get there I only catch the last thing Sophia says. "my daddy". Now, why would the mention of her father cause Carol's whole body to stiffen and her face to go pale?
"Is everything ok?" I ask. Both girls jump and Carol quickly schools her features. Bonnie jumps up and grabs my hand.
"Uh, yea. We're good, right girls?" Carol says with a look that must mean something to Sophia.
"Yea" they both say in unison, but I know better.
"It was great seeing you Bonnie, we'll see you this weekend when I bring Sophia over."
Bonnie lights up at this news. Grace does have this weekend off, so I guess they finally planned to meet up.
"Yay, bye Sophia. I'll see you tomorrow!" Just like that, the mood between the 2 girls changes instantly.
"Bye Bonnie, I can't wait to meet your mommy." With that Carol gives me a tight smile and takes Sophia's hand to lead her away. That smile was all I needed to know, I am definitely questioning my niece when we get dinner. Maybe I'll bribe her with ice cream again.
—--
I look over at Bonnie as she finishes her sundae. I can't decide if I should ask out right what the conversation was about, but I need to know. I can clearly see it weighing on her small shoulders. As the evening has gone on, she's become more and more quiet. I knew she was replaying what her friend said to her. Before I can get the courage to ask, Bonnie herself brings it up.
"Uncle D, can I ask you something" her timid voice scares me a little. She is normally so full of sass and isn't afraid to tell anyone what she thinks.
"Of course, short stuff. I'm all ears."
"That's silly, you're not all ears. You have a nose too" she starts to giggle, and I can't help but smile.
"Clever girl, now what do you want to ask me?"
She starts fidgeting again. "Um, do you know where Sophia's dad is?" She looks at me under her lashes and her eyes are pleading with me to have an answer.
"Bonnie, I don't know Mrs. Carol that well, so I don't even know who her dad is. Why are you asking me?"
"Well I was hoping that if you knew where he is you could make him stay far away from Sophia." Her little voice starts to tremble as she makes her confession. I swallow hard as I start piecing things together. I hope I'm not right, but I know in my gut I am.
"Bonnie, what were you and Sophia talking about when I picked you up?"
Tears start rolling down her face as she looks at me with the most hurt expression I have ever seen her wear. She walks over to me, abandoning her ice cream, and climbs into my lap. She places her head on my shoulder and starts to tell me what I was hoping wasn't the truth.
"Sophia told me she is scared of her daddy. She said he yelled a lot and grabbed her arms. She said her mom would tell her to hide, but sometimes she didn't and she saw her daddy hit her momma. She said they haven't seen him since they moved, and she is so happy now. But she is scared that he is going to come back and hurt her momma again. That's why I was hoping you could keep him away. You and daddy are the strongest people I know. Daddy is busy protecting me and my momma, so I thought you could protect Sophia and her momma."
Her little confession mixed with her tears makes my chest tighten uncomfortably. It all makes sense now. Why Carol was so tense and why she knew how to handle her daughter's panic attack. I stayed silent for a little while and let Bonnie compose herself. I didn't want to disappoint my niece, but I knew I couldn't insert myself into their lives. Hell, I couldn't even talk to Carol without sounding like a dumb ass.
"Listen short stuff, I am so glad you care enough about your friend to worry about this. This is some heavy stuff for a kid to be thinking about. I can't promise that I can protect Mrs. Carol and Sophia because that is something that I need to talk to Mrs. Carol about. What I can say is I will always look out for you and Sophia when I am around. If her daddy comes back while I am with y'all, I won't let him hurt you or Sophia." I know I didn't have the right to make this little promise, but I would do anything to protect my niece. If that included Sophia, then so be it. I wasn't gonna sit around and let some asshole scare two little girls purely because he can. My promise seemed to cheer Bonnie up.
"Thank you Uncle D. I told Sophia you would help her." Her smile was all I needed. I knew taking on this new role wasn't going to be easy, but I ain't about to let Bonnie down.
