#( sorry fellas but the only time even people like DARYL have caught him is like. when in the woods lmfao )

[ripgray-moved]

I love that the golden rule is: if you think you're a faster runner than Peter in the apocalypse verse, no you're not.

[collecting-stories]

Christmas Eve - ep. 07 - Georgia

Summary: Christmas in King County and a hint at what lies behind the All-American girl persona that you wear. 

A/N: Hope you guys are enjoying the rewrite so far!

Georgia Masterlist | The Walking Dead Masterlist

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

Christmas Eve in King County, like everything else, was marked by the church. There was the Christmas Eve midnight service that Hershel led, the living nativity set up in the middle of the square, for the days leading up to Christmas, and, of course, Annette’s Christmas Eve dinner at the farm for all the church congregation to gather together. It was more of an open house and you always ended up ‘working it’ though it was really just a glorified dinner, no need for servers and no one got paid for the shift.

“Are you busy on Thursday?” You asked the question innocently, leaving out the part where Thursday was also Christmas Eve.  

“Dunno,” Daryl shrugged, wiping his hands on the rag hanging out of his pocket as he turned to face you. A welcome distraction, having you around had prolonged the work that Daryl could’ve easily completed in two months. He was always stopping and starting when you came over though, more interested in you than in the car. Before he might’ve denied it but after Thanksgiving, he knew it was true, Rick had been right about him having feelings for someone. It wasn’t something he was used to but it was something.  

“It’s Christmas Eve.”  

“I got a calendar.” He replied, smiling when you pouted at him.

“Well if you’re calendar isn’t too booked maybe you’d come to the dinner Annette’s having at the Greene farm?” You replied, “it’s always a lot of fun.”

“Wouldn’t know, ain’t never been invited to it before.”  

“I’m inviting you now.”  

“Dunno,” he walked the short distance to the fridge and grabbed a beer out, “I’m not exactly a participating member of the community.”

“Dale will be there,” you offered, skimming over his last sentence. You knew he wasn’t anyone’s favorite person and you’d heard a good deal of Dixon stories from everyone who had heard that you were getting your car fixed by Daryl but that hadn’t dampened your opinion. Just because a bunch of people thought they knew him didn’t mean they did. “I’ll be there.”

“Ya want me ta spend Christmas Eve listening ta yer yammering on?” Daryl asked. You caught the hint of a smile and you knew he wasn’t as opposed to the idea as he was saying.  

“Maybe...beats me showing up here to interrupt your night.”

-

“So you asked him to come to Christmas Eve dinner?” Maggie asked, standing beside the wooden structure meant to represent the manger, white and blue cloths and headdress covering her jeans and thermal shirt. It was chillier than either of you would’ve liked tonight.

“Yeah, thought it’d be nice, he’s never been.” You pointed out. You had been sent over with thermoses of hot chocolate and cups for the manger volunteers, standing a short way off so that you didn’t ‘break the illusion’.  

“I highly doubt that Patty sent you over here to chitchat. You girls need to be better stewards of your time and your tongues.” Jacqui called, beckoning Maggie over as she spoke. You frowned, watching as Maggie rejoined the nativity cast. You weren’t a fan of King County’s holiest member of the community or her perception that she was better than everyone else.  

Jacqui was a central member of the church, a ward against gossip though she had a tongue for it herself, and a general know-it-all. She had been managing the 7-11 in town since the owner had franchised his small business to them, before you were even born. She even rented the house that sat just to the left. There was a picture of the original business hanging behind the counter at the 7-11, the house with two gas pumps in front of it, an older man and his wife standing on the porch. Somehow all that deemed Jacqui a sort of unspoken ‘elder’ member of the community. A gossip but an important voice in the town. On par with Patricia, Annette, and Hershel though she was younger.  

Her voice was important to everyone but you.  

“I heard you were in again the other day with that Dixon fella, buying cigarettes.” She mentioned when she came over, claiming to want some hot chocolate.

“The cigarettes were his, I don’t smoke,” you replied, watching the nativity scene. Having a job this Christmas had saved you from having to participate with all the rest of the youth group and you were more than thankful for that. “Besides, he’s working on my car, like I keep saying.”

“I’d said you’re spending a little too much time in his company. Might not’ve picked up his smoking but you picked up his need for talking-back.”

You fought the urge to roll your eyes as you smiled at her, “sorry Miss Jacqui, didn’t mean anything by it, must be the cold getting to me.”  

“Must be.”  

When she walked away again to reign in Joseph and a Wise Man you capped the rest of the hot chocolate and left it by the church table that was set up for donations. You weren’t lying about the cold, it was nearing forty at night as it got closer to January. Nothing you liked but you made due as long as you weren’t outside for too long. It was only when Patricia made you do ridiculous things like walk hot chocolate across the street to the living nativity that you really had to brave the weather.  

“Oh good you’re back, you got a table. I was gonna take his order but he said he didn’t ‘want nothing yet’ figured he might be waiting for ya.” Amy said, bumping her hip against yours as you took your coat off, whispering and glancing over her shoulder to your section as she spoke.  

You looked back, biting your lip to stop the smile on your face at the sight of Daryl sitting there reading over the menu. You grabbed your apron from the rack and tied it around your waist, “I got it, thanks.”

“He’s some trouble ya know.” Amy mentioned.  

“He’s Just fixing my car.” You replied and even as you said it you knew it sounded like a lie. You walked over to his table, smiling when he looked up at you.  

“Heard ya were bringing hot chocolate ta baby Jesus.” He said, grin in place.

“Yea course, haven’t you read that bit in the bible?” You teased. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Your own hot chocolate?”  

“Coffee’s fine.”

“What brings you in?” You asked, hovering at the table, thankful for the slow night.  

“Figured yer always showing up ta harass me while I work, ain’t fair I don’t give ya the same treatment.” Daryl replied.  

You bit your bottom lip, preparing for a comeback when you heard Patricia call your name from behind the counter. She’d come out of the kitchen to see you standing at Daryl’s table, smiling at him like he just hung the stars and she’d almost had a heart attack. Patricia had seen him come in and had known, the moment he sat himself in your section, that he wasn’t moving anytime soon. She’d listened to you tell her the same story over and over again, that Daryl was fixing the jeep and that as soon as he was done so would your seeing him be.  

“I only see him to pay him for the job.”  

But Patricia wasn’t some naive young kid who you could pull the wool over. She’d been around the block a time or two and knew exactly what kind of temptations you were wading into hanging around Daryl Dixon.  

“I’ll be right back with your coffee.” You promised, turning away from him and walking back to the counter. Patricia looked passed you, eyebrow raised in disdain as she watched Daryl fiddle with his laminated menu.  

“Are you out of your damn mind?”  

“What?” You asked innocently, “I was talking to a customer.”

“I have half a mind to call your mother and tell her you been hanging around Dixon on your off time.” Patricia said.  

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Patty,” you insisted. If she called your parents then it was over. Your car would be in Woodbury, you would be grounded worse than Maggie could imagine, and you’d likely never see Daryl again.  

“You watch yourself, you’re in dangerous territory.”  

“He’s just fixing-”  

“Your car. I heard.” Patricia replied.  

“Can you hand me a coffee?” You asked, changing the subject.

She went to the other side of the counter to grab you a cup of coffee for Daryl while you turned back to look over at him. As if on some cue he looked over at you and you smiled. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck and you caught the faint pink the blossomed over his cheeks.  

“One coffee.” Patricia said, setting it down and catching your attention again, “charge him this time.”

“I’ll make sure to get the dollar from him,” you replied, taking the cup and walking back over to Daryl’s table. Patricia shook her head, despite her friendship with your parents and the Greene’s she’d kept plenty of secrets for you and Maggie over the years. She hadn’t told them about Glenn and Maggie dating, she hadn’t told your parents about your tardiness over Thanksgiving or Daryl dropping off the pie plate when you’d claimed you were bringing the apple pie to Tara. She just wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing not telling them you were falling deeper and deeper into something with Daryl.  

It was unspoken knowledge the way Will Dixon treated his kids. While Daryl’s mother hadn’t been some innocent girl getting taken advantage of she had loved her kids, Daryl a little more than Merle probably. She’d never hit them but she never stayed sober passed three in the afternoon and Patricia could still remember the senior Mr. Grimes coming in after the fire burned down the old house telling them about Daryl arriving home in time to see the place ablaze.  

Losing his mother, watching his brother leave, enduring years of abuse from his father, Patricia couldn’t help but worry that the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree with Daryl. She’d been watching for any sign of abuse on you but she hadn’t seen any. If anything, you seemed happier than you had been in a while and it was that Patricia relied on to make herself feel better about not telling your parents that you were occupying your time with a Dixon.  

“Ya working late?” Daryl asked as you idled by his table.

“I’ve got thirty more minutes then I’m free to trudge home in the cold.” You replied, “I’m going to Maggie’s...we’re setting up the barn tomorrow for the Christmas Eve party.”

“Ya need a ride?”

“Do you mind driving Maggie too?”  

He shook his head. Daryl had come to the diner tonight just to see you. Aside from going to Dale’s for work or 7-11 for a pack of smokes he didn’t frequent too many places in King County. He was far from an active member in the community but he’d been turning up more often. The diner for one, the Winter Fest where Otis had spied him at the church table talking to you. He’d come tonight because he definitely wasn’t planning on going to the Christmas Eve party dinner that you had invited him to but he did have a present for you. Stupid, he was sure, but a present nonetheless.  

You paged Maggie to tell her to meet you at the diner and finished out the rest of your shift while Daryl drank his coffee, paid, and left to smoke out in the parking lot. He was there, toking on a cigarette, when you exited the diner with your backpack.  

“I really don’t like closing. I hate having to clean up.” You confessed as you came out to meet him.  

“Shifts a shift.” He shrugged and you rolled your eyes at his words. “Here, ‘fore Maggie comes over and I gotta hear the two a ya bitching about the Nativity or something.”

“You don’t have to drive us.” You replied, taking the box wrapped in newspaper that he had handed you, “is this a present? Did you get me a present?”

“Ain’t nothing special...don’t get so excited.” He said, chewing his thumb as you opened the gift he’d bought. Sitting in the little box was a keychain. A leather strap folded over and fastened onto a thin metal plate that attached it to the key hook. The leather was embroidered with clumsy little flowers in yellow with green leaves.  

“This is so pretty.” You smiled at Daryl, holding the keychain close as you gave him a one-armed hug.

Daryl tensed and pulled away, huffing as he tried to appear indifferent about the keychain, he’d made himself, “none a that, it ain’t nothing expensive. Just thought ya’d like it.”

“I love it, thank you.”

“I’m here, I’m here.” Maggie’s voice cut through your conversation as she came around the side of the truck, brushing out her hair from being pinned back in Mary’s head covering. Daryl dropped his cigarette and stubbed it out with his boot to distract himself from the blush that had started warming his cheeks when you hugged him. “Hi Daryl.” Maggie greeted.

“Hey,” he nodded to her before heading around to the driver’s side of the truck. You climbed in first, taking the middle seat, while Maggie climbed in second. You slipped the leather keychain back into the box and held it on your lap as Daryl pulled out of the diner with the two of you, heading toward Hershel’s farm.  

The ride was quiet, a lull of conversation as Maggie complained about Jacqui and the other youth group kids that had been roped into the nativity. You stayed quiet, knee pressed against Daryl’s and hands gripping present he had given you, unable to contain the smile on your face. The truck drove the dirt path up to the farm and Daryl cut the engine, Maggie already opening the door and slipping out.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“No problem.” Daryl replied, huffing out smoke as you slide across the seat, suddenly cold from the loss of touch. He was gripping the steering wheel with one hand as he watched you get out of the truck, lingering in the door like you always did.

“I do have a present for you, by the way.” You mentioned, spying the newspaper wrapping crumpled on the floor of the truck.  

“Ya don’t have ta waster yer money.”

“Too late.” You teased. You met his eyes and your smile widened. On the other side of the truck  you could hear the front door clatter open, the familiar squeak of the springs on the screen and footsteps bounding down as Beth ran across the headlights to engulf you in a hug.

“I missed you!”  

“Hi Beth, I missed you too!”

Still holding your waist she caught sight of Daryl for the first time and twisted, moving her body behind yours and peeking out at him. “Hi.”

“Hey,” Daryl dropped his cigarette into the ashtray in the truck as he nodded his head to her, “yer Beth I take it.”

“I am.”

“I like yer braids.” He mentioned, watching the sweet smile she offered as she moved further out so he could see the blonde french braids clearer.

“Thank you! My mom did them for me so that my hair will be wavy tomorrow for Christmas Eve.”

“I’m sure it’ll look beautiful.”

She giggled and you bit your lip as your eyes met his. “I’d better get inside, thanks for the ride.”

“Sure thing, see ya ‘round.”

You walked Beth inside, her gaze wandering back to the pickup as she climbed the porch stairs with you. “Is that your boyfriend?”

“No. Daryl’s not my boyfriend.”

“She wishes.” Maggie teased, waiting at the door for the two of you.  

-

The barn at Christmas was arguably one of your favorite sights in the world. Hershel took great pride in outlining the entire building with lights, he hung a oversized wreath on the side with a large spotlight and the whole thing felt like you were walking into a Hallmark movie or a Thomas Kincaide mural. Georgia didn’t a lot of real winter weather but the barn made you feel like you were in some New England town.

“I was sorry to hear your dad couldn’t make it.” Jacqui came up behind you, her voice returning you to the reality of the evening. Hershel’s barn decorated at Christmas was your favorite but the people who filled it weren’t.  

“Yeah, he wishes he could be.” You shrugged. “Working.”  

“That’s what your mom said. At least he’s a good worker right? Must be where you get it from.”

Just passed Jacqui you could see your mom talking to Annette. Her eyes met yours and she straightened up, pointing to her mouth and indicating for you to smile. You straightened your back and offered Jacqui a closed lip smile before answering her, “yeah. Must be.”  

When Jacqui left to talk to another church member your mom made a quick beeline for you, wrapping her hand around your arm and guiding you outside, away from the party. “What did Jacqui want?”

“She was just asking about dad-”

“What did you say?”

“I said he was at work. God, mom we went over this in the car...I’m not stupid.” You crossed your arms in front of you, looking away from her.  

“You didn’t say anything to Maggie?”

“No.”  

“Hey!” She grabbed at your jaw to make you look at her, nails scratching against your cheek, “look at me. Did you tell Maggie?”

“No. I didn’t say anything to anyone mom.” You replied, pulling away from her and stepping back, “can I go back inside or did you want to assault me some more?”

“For Gods sake stop being so dramatic.”

“Dramatic? You dragged me out here to ask if I told some random person that my dad is in rehab for the billionth ti-”

“Keep your voice down!” She snapped, “you want everyone to hear you?”  

“Sorry mama.”  

She smoothed back your hair, pushing stray pieces away from your face and fixing your headband for you before leading you both back inside for the continuation of the night. Neither of you spoke to each other the rest of the evening. Not in the car on the way to the service at church and not once you’d gotten home. You went in your room to change and listened to her in the kitchen, trying to throw together a lunch as she prepared to work through the holiday. A knock on your bedroom door was the only thing to signify that she was leaving and would likely work the whole of Christmas.  

The Greene’s would be confused if you went to theirs too early in the morning and you didn’t want to disturb Daryl any more than you already did by showing up at his. Tara was spending the holiday upstate visiting her sister and seeing her niece. The diner was closed. You opted for going straight to bed once your dress was off and your face was clean…hopefully you’d be lucky and you’d sleep through the holiday.  

-

Taglist: @hopesxxhigh @coffeebooksandfandom @jodiereedus22 @tehfabbooty @thecaptainsgingersnap @of-storms-and-sadness @twdeadfanfic @alwaysadreamingoptimist @mainokutan @sabertooth-potato @qrangr @bucky-barnes-babies @ly--canthrope @daryldixonandfrogs @jaycc7983 @easnuppa @imaginecrushes @tonystarkismyboy @watchmeaspire @harpersmariano @cbarter @onemorebeautifulnightmare  @mainokutan @gigilame @sabertooth-potato @enrapturedbythemoon @cathwritestragediesnotsins @siren-queen03

[ingloriousblasters]

Second Chances (Merle x OC) - Chapter Three

Hey y’all so here’s the next chapter. Kind of struggle bussed through this one because not a whole lot happens, but I had to write it for some things I have in mind for the future. Anyway, enjoy!!

Chapter One | Chapter Two

Chapter 3

Merle’s mind was racing as he walked past the woman and little girl standing in front of him —  King keeping pace at his side. What the hell did you just do, Dixon? He muttered to himself. Did he really just allow these two access to his property? Maybe he had been out in the fields too long today, the sun had got to him. He glanced behind for a second, just to make sure he didn’t image all of it.

They were still there.

The silence getting to him, Merle barked out. “What’s your name again?”

“Oh, it’s Nora. Nora Buckley.”

Merle grunted in response. When they reached the front of the house again, he turned around to face the two.

“Alright, so this here is the, uh, my house. That building ya passed back there is the barn,” he pointed past them. “There’s a chicken coop right on the other side of it.”

Nora nodded, taking in all the new information. Tapping his fingers on his leg, Merle waited to see if she had any questions. When he couldn’t bear the silence again, he continued.

“So, uhm, I can show the inside of the house, not much to it.”

“Ok.”

He nodded and walked towards the steps on the porch that led into the faded white house. King, on the other hand, decided to go lay in the only sun-exposed area on the porch for a nap. The front door opened into a foyer, with a staircase to the left, leading to the second floor, and a living area off to the right. Nora and Anna peaked their heads past the wall to look in the room. Two rocking chairs sat on the hardwood floors, facing the fireplace. On the longest wall sat a couch, with a small coffee table in front. The entire house felt bare to Nora, there were few, if any, pictures or art on the walls. The furniture basic; nothing too fashionable or colorful, only there to serve its purpose. While they finished looking, Merle made his way down the long hallway.

“Down here on the left is the toilet. Door on the right is my room. Back here’s the kitchen.” In front of them, a wooden table that had seen better days, was centered under the light that hung from the ceiling, to the right was a small, metal island with a brown top. Behind that, the refrigerator, stove, oven, and counter top took up the space where two walls met. The third wall held the sink and a door that led to the back of the house, the barn and fields visible through the window.

“I know it ain’t much, but everything that needs ta function, does.”

“It’s great.” Nora said, the room bigger than anything she had ever had. Anything was bigger than that little corner Mr. Fitzpatrick dubbed a ‘kitchen.’

Merle rubbed his neck as he watched Nora and Anna look around his place. He had never really had guests at the farm, let alone female ones. At least not for an extended period of time. Sure, there was the younger fella who worked on the farm before his number got called, and his brother, Daryl, came by every once in awhile. But a mother and daughter? Two people, who have their own way of living, sharing his land?  Yeah, this should work out real well, he thought.

“Right. Uh, since it’s your first day, I don’t expect ya ta do anything tonight. I got some leftovers that’ll probably be enough for y’all.” Nora nodded in response.

“So, that should be it. Ya need anythin else, just let me know. See what I can do.”

“Wait!” Nora called out as Merle turned to walk away. “You haven’t really shown us where we’re stayin. Our rooms?”

“Ah, uh right. Follow me.”

Again, Nora let Merle take the lead, while she and Anna followed. As they neared the front of the house, Nora had expected him to turn right and up the stairs. Instead, Merle went through the front door. When all three made it out, Nora asked where they were going.

“To your room.” Merle replied.

“You…you mean we aren’t staying in the house?”

“Ah, no.” Merle sighed as he crossed his arms. “Actually have a little place couple yards past the barn. Man who used ta work for me stayed in it.”

“I’m sorry?” She retorted. “But why can’t we stay in the house? Surely there’s enough room on the upper level.” Her voice rising enough that King had lifted his head from his nap to watch. Merle could feel the blood boiling in his head, the heat from the sun only making it worse. This woman hadn’t even been here an hour and was already getting under his skin. Wasn’t it enough he already let them stay on his property? Now she was questioning their choice of room and board.

“Actually, no. Only got one spare bedroom and my brother likes to stop by unannounced. That’s his room. Other’s full o’ shit I ain’t had time to go through.” Merle watched as her eyes beaded up. Little lady’s got some gall. She stared daggers into his eyes, but no one had ever gotten the better of Ol’ Merle before, as he stared right back.

“But!…”

“Ya wanna job or dontcha?”

Annoyed that he had used her desperation against her, Nora let out a loud huff and bit her lip before she let anything else slip out. She had to think of Anna, who had made her way back over to the German Shepard, content as could be. Nora couldn’t let her own stubbornness be the reason she had lost the job before ever starting. She let out an audible sigh and released her lip from the tight grip of her teeth. Nodding at Merle, they continued walking towards the barn, while Nora called out for Anna to follow. Behind the old barn was a dirt path the three of them followed, and sure enough they came upon a small shed. That was the only word that came to Nora’s mind as she looked it over. The structure only had one window on the side, unless you counted the top portion of the half door they stood in front of. Faded wood planks held the bones together, and the roof extended out far enough to give the door a small overhang. Merle let Anna and Nora in, while he waited at the door. Inside they found an old bed against the left wall, the mattress faded and sunk in the middle, a wooden dresser at the foot. Against the far wall stood a small sink and stove top, a one-person table and chair nearby. A faded, striped rug lay in the center of the room and a green couch sat opposite the bed, underneath the only window.

“Cozy.” Nora murmured under her breath, while Anna walked towards the mattress to sit down on the edge.

“Oh, look Mama! It’s bouncy!” She said as she moved her little body up and down the mattress, her short legs swinging back and forth. A high pitched squeak sounded with every bounce Anna made. Nora smiled at her daughter. For everything they had been through, Anna always seemed to adapt right away to the situation, the Dixon farm was no different. Glancing over the small room once more, Nora furrowed her brows as a thought ran across her mind. She turned around to face Merle, still standing in the doorway.

“Uh, where’s the bathroom?”

A small smirk appeared on Merle’s face as he let out a slight chuckle, knowing what was coming as soon as he answered.

“I already showed ya. Only bathroom on this property is back at the house.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. I ain’t, Darlin. Now if ya don’t mind, I gotta get back to my work. You two can unpack, or whatever it is ya need ta do.” He gave a nod as he turned around, the smirk coming back to his face. “Im eatin ‘round 6 if ya want anything!” He called out. As much as Nora had gotten under his skin, a part of Merle reveled in the banter. It had been a long time since he had ruffled someone’s feathers and Merle was finding himself enjoying messing with the young woman’s.

****

Nora and Anna spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking their belongings. Walking from the car to the shed and back a couple of times. Nora hadn’t packed much, but in their new living space, things seemed to overflow. She set up a spot for Anna with the table and chair, her crayons and stuffed animals sat in a basket in the corner. On the other side of the room, Nora had set up her sparse art supplies. The wooden easel taped in spots to keep from splintering, her paints almost all used up, brushes frayed at the ends. Nora realized long ago that raising Anna by herself meant having less time to paint, but she still kept her supplies on the rare occasions she caught a break. As she finished placing their clothes in the dresser, Nora heard a scratching at the door. She peered over the open top half and saw King, whining to come inside.

“I think you have a visitor, baby.” Nora smiled as she let the German Shepard in, King heading straight for Anna. The two of them sat on the carpet and played with the dog, while King basked in the attention. Brushing his long black and tan coat, Nora peeked at her watch. It was almost 6 p.m. She heavily considered just staying there, but didn’t want to put off Merle more than she already had. After a few more minutes, Nora, Anna and King left the shed to walk up the dirt path to the main house. Unsure of which way to go, Nora headed towards the back of the house to the door that led to the kitchen. When they arrived, she quickly knocked. Looking through the windowpane, she could see Merle coming out from one of the doors in the hallway.

“What the heck ya knockin for?” He barked as he let them inside, putting a leg up against King as the dog tried to follow the girls. “Ah, git ya poor beggar!”

“Sorry. I just wasn’t sure which way to come…”

“Don’t matter.” He cut Nora off. “Doors are always opened, day or night.” Nora thanked him as she looked around the kitchen. Three mismatched plates had been set out, along with the cutlery and napkins. Merle motioned for them to sit down, hair still damp from his shower. Wearing a fresh wife beater under an open, plaid shirt, Nora could see the water droplets glistening on his exposed chest. Moving her eyes away, she went to sit on the opposite side of Anna at the table. Merle took a seat at the head and began making his plate. Nora took the plate sitting in front of Anna and looked over the options available. Leftovers was probably too strong a word to use, Nora thought. More like whatever was left in the kitchen. She placed a spoonful of potatoes, beans, and peas onto her daughter’s plate and handed it back to Anna.

“Mama, can I have a piece of bread too?”

Nora saw the two slices of bread laying on a plate in front of Merle. Engrossed in his meal, Merle looked up when he felt those eyes upon him again.

“Mr. Merle, can I please have a piece of bread?” Anna asked. Merle looked at her and nodded, while handing her a slice.

“No Mister. Just Merle, kid. Alright?”

“Ok.” she mumbled, taking a bite out of the bread as soon as it reached her tiny hands and smiled. Nora smirked at her daughter and glanced over at Merle, who also had a faint smile on his face. Soon, silence fell upon them again as all three ate their meals. When they had finished, Anna asked if she could play with King out on the porch, leaving Merle and Nora by themselves. Taking a sip of his water, Merle cleared his throat.

“Buckley ya said your name was?” He grabbed some dishes as he got up and walked towards the sink. “Heard somethin about a Buckley in town couple weeks ago.”

“Mmhm. My mother, she passed away.”

“Oh. M’sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Nora got up to look out the window and check on Anna. “We weren’t really that close anyway.” She turned around to find Merle staring at her, arms crossed, his body leaning against the counter.

“So why ya here?” He asked, his dark, blue eyes looking into hers. Nora had to look away from his gaze. She didn’t know what it was about Merle, but his stare made her feel bare. Like he could sense when people were bullshitting him, even though she wasn’t. Nora began to tell him about her past, about Rodger, her mother, leaving Redwater and making a home for her and Anna, and what brought her back.  Merle listened intently. He had heard a few things now and then about a Buckley girl in town, but he wasn’t in Redwater when it all happened. Figures, ain’t nothin happens in this town that a girl who got knocked up years ago still makes front page news. Merle thought back on when his family was top gossip around town. He and his brother would come into town and buy what they could with what little money they scrounged up. The whispers from the townsfolk surrounded them as they walked around, humming like a swarm of bees. Even still, the memories of so long ago brought back the anger.

“What about you?”

“Huh?” Merle was brought out of his thoughts by the question. Nora repeated herself.

“Ain’t that much to tell.” He shifted his posture against the counter, uncomfortable with the personal question.

“Oh. It’s just….I don’t know. You don’t seem like the type to stay in Redwater either."

“That suppose to be an insult, or somethin?” He yelled back, still thinking about the past.

“Nn..no. I just meant…”

“My Ma died. My Pa was a shit man. Got outta here as soon as I could. Things didn’t work out so well, so I came back.” His voice echoed in the room. “Pa died, and last thing that bastard got was a spit on his grave!”  Familiar silence fell between them again, Nora knew she had pried too far, the tension in the room was palpable. She excused herself from the kitchen and went to grab Anna and head back to the shed. Stupid thing to ask. You shoulda known he would get mad. When they made it back to the shed, Nora went to the sink to fill the stainless steel kettle with water. She pulled out a cup from the small cabinet, and went to light the stove. A few short puffs huffed out, but no flame appeared. She tried again, nothing happened. Damnit! Nora hunted through the entire room for some matches and found nothing. She tapped her fingers on the counter, debating to go back up or not. Deciding it was better to just apologize and move on, Nora walked back up to the house. When she reached the porch, she found Merle leaning against the railing, smoking a cigarette.

“Do you have any matches? I need to light the stove and couldn’t find any.” She asked in a soft tone as she made her way up the steps. Merle took a long drag of his cigarette before reaching in the top pocket of his plaid shirt and pulling out a booklet of matches.

“Listen. I’m sorry about earlier,” she said as she grabbed them from Merle. “I didn’t mean to pry.” He sighed, flicking the ash of the cigarette over the railing. “Ain’t your fault, Darlin. Shouldn’t a raised mah voice at ya.” Nora thanked him for the matches and began walking down the steps.

“Amazin, isn’t it?”

“What?” She asked, turning her head to look at him.

“How a shit town, such as this one, has a way of dragging you back in.” Nora thought over the words. Merle was right, they both thought they had escaped the hold of Redwater, Georgia, but here they both were.

“Yeah. Night.”

“Night, Darlin.” Merle watched as Nora walked back to the shed in the fading sunlight. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have them around. Redwater’s two favorite topics, now living together on the same property. Oh yeah, this should be fun, he thought as he put out his cigarette butt and headed in for night.