Sunday, January 31, 2010

The talk had moved on to fencing and they talked about it for a really long time. The kind of weave, what would be strongest, whether you should be able to see through it or not, how to reinforce it and protect it so a truck--or tank--couldn't just blow through it. How much they'd need in order to fence the farmland in as well. On and on and on. Carl tried to listen and participate, he knew the fence was important, but his body rebelled. He scoffed at himself then. Survive the freaking apocalypse and then find yourself back in a little kid body. One that was soft and didn't cooperate at that. He was weak, weaker than he'd ever been. And hungry.

Annette stood up and said she knew they'd had a late brunch but she could see the kids getting hungry. It was time to get Sunday dinner on the table. Carl smiled at her, she was becoming his favorite person. It wasn't just because of the food. She just...seemed to get kids. She motioned to them and he and Sophia followed her into the kitchen. They could figure out the stupid fence without him. Not like he'd be able to help them put it up with this body anyway. Annette set Sophia and him up at the table with some cookies and milk and Carl decided he'd have to revise his opinion of his old body. If it got him cookies, he was okay with it--for right now. He smiled at Sophia and shrugged to himself and dug into the cookies with enthusiasm.

While they ate, Annette cooked and Beth came in and helped her. Soon they had a Sunday afternoon dinner on the table and they all dug in. Cookies definitely didn't ruin his appetite, he decided, as he ate his fill. The rest of the group continued to shoot ideas out as they ate. Sometimes they were pretty random.

"Teachin' noobs ta hunt is bound ta have accidents. Need ta get an urgent care clinic built that can be our health facility later," Daryl said. Nobody argued with that. A place to take care of their people would only be a plus. And setting it up ahead of time designed for that purpose? Even better. Plus it'd give them a reason to order medical supplies to stock it with.

"Maybe set it up so it can do dental and eyecare as well," Carol offered. "I don't know about the rest of you, but my eyesight was starting to change there at the end." Carl smirked. His eyesight changed too. In fact, it was kinda weird to have two eyes again, but he could definitely see better.

"Gonna need a daycare," Annette said. "Families with children will need a place to leave them while they work since we'll have a lot to be done. It'll be more efficient to gather them in one place."

Michonne nodded, looking down at Andre. "They need to be trained too, so they can defend the kids if anything happens. Maybe have the school attached so the older kids can help protect the younger ones too." Carl's heart dropped at that. He kinda figured he'd be done with school again. Then again, he needed to train and get strong again. He was always up to help protect the little kids.

"If we're going to have electricity like we're planning, then laundry facilities attached to the spa will be important," Carol said. "I don't wanna use washboards again unless I have to."

All the men paused at that. Merle finally said what they all were thinking. "We gonna actually build tha spa? Thought that was jus' cover story?"

Annette laughed. "Maybe not a full spa, but a beauty parlor certainly. Something we can show the neighbors. Everyone'll have hair that needs cut, even you. No reason we can't stay tidy, even with these walkers you talk about. Carol's right, a spa would need a laundry facility as well, so we'd best be adding that to the plans."

It got quiet at that, everybody who remembered contemplating going in for a haircut during the apocalypse. Not that they were against it, it just seemed so...normal.

"A Town Hall would be good too, a place big enough to gather everybody up at. Rick could lead from there," Glenn finally said.

This got Rick's attention immediately. He emphatically shook his head. "I'm not your Governor," he declared, echoes of the past in his voice. "Don't put that on me. There are better ways to run this."

Hershel eyed Rick. "You thinking about a council again?"

Rick nodded emphatically. "It always worked better that way. I'll do my part, I'll do what you need me to do. If there's a security threat I'll be one of the first out there fighting. But I don't want to be the sole person making decisions again."

Everybody nodded. They understood his reservations. Rick was a good leader and he shouldn't have hallucinations going on this round, but they always did function well with a council. Carl was glad. He didn't want to see his Dad carry the full burden of providing and protecting everyone again. Others could help carry that weight.

Other buildings were suggested and discussed and as they started cleaning up the table from dinner the phone rang.

Maggie grabbed it off the kitchen wall. "Hello?" She smiled as Carl could hear talking in the background. "Hi Andrea, it's so good to hear your voice!" Maggie listened a moment and then said, "She's right here, just a second."

She looked at Michonne and laughed as she said, "It's for you."

Michonne picked up the phone with a smile on her face. "Andrea!" Then, "I can't tell you how good it is to hear your voice." She listened a while longer and everyone shamelessly tried to eavesdrop. Not too long later she said, "Okay. Check in with us to let us know your progress. I can't wait to see you."

Michonne reported back to everyone else that Andrea had talked to Dale and they had a plan in place to travel and join them. Andrea had Amy convinced, although she didn't remember, but their parents were having a hard time with it. She was working on talking them into coming to Georgia.

The phone rang again and Maggie answered again. Carl couldn't tell who she was talking to, she mostly just listened. She had a grin on her face as she handed the phone to Rick. "It's for you."

Rick took the phone and said, "Hello?" As he listened to whomever was speaking he nodded along. "That's good Jacqui, that's real good. Nah, we'll take anyone you're willing to vouch for. We all have family to save. We look forward to seeing you both soon and tell T-Dog I said Hello."

Rick hung up the phone and reported back on that conversation. Jacqui had a younger brother she was bringing with her, but wanted to keep working for a few months until it got closer. She had access to a lot of blueprints, maps and plans in the zoning department and she wanted to get copies of what could be useful to them. It'd take some time as she did it slowly but she was going to take a sick day and meet them at the farm tomorrow along with T-Dog so they could be brought up to speed.

At this point, Carl yawned and everybody laughed. He felt himself blush in embarrassment and went back to cursing his young body.

Rick patted him on the back comfortingly, understanding where his head was. He was grateful for that, he and his Dad were in sync now, starting on the same page from the beginning. That made him able to smile and take the ribbing from everybody good naturedly.

"Well Carl, I think we'd better head on back home. It's late afternoon and your Mom is going to expect us back from fishing. Too bad we didn't catch anything."

At this Maggie grinned and bopped out the kitchen door. Everyone stared after her, confused. She came back in with a cooler in her hands.

"Compliments of Otis. He went fishin' yesterday and he always shares with me. It was too late when he dropped them off last night to get them cleaned and used. I planned on taking care of it today but, well...you know what distracted me today."

Carl huffed at that. Nothing like remembering the apocalypse to distract you from things. He got that. He grabbed the cooler and flipped it open. He grinned up at his Dad.

"There's enough here to make it convincing, Dad. Not so many they'll think I suddenly got good either."

Rick laughed. It was a running joke about how bad Carl's luck was at fishing. It wasn't so much luck as he could never sit still long enough to let the fish come to him. They thanked Maggie, said their goodbyes and just as they were leaving, the phone rang again. Rick and Carl paused in the door as Maggie answered it.

She listened and then looked up at them. "Just a sec," she told the caller on the phone. She looked at Rick then, "It's Rosita. She and Eugene talked to Abraham. They're making plans. Go ahead, I got this. I'll bring you up to date tomorrow."

Rick nodded, confident that Maggie would bring Rosita up to speed and content to hear about it the next day. Carl knew they needed to get home but was glad for the car ride ahead. He needed to talk to his Dad about some things before they got home.

As he waited for his Dad to load the fish in the trunk, he felt a nudge to his side. He looked over and there was Michonne. He smiled at his friend and then she nudged him with her hip again. He gave her a 'What?' look. She grinned. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a Big Cat. He grinned. She opened it up and split it down the middle, handing half to him. He nudged her back and took it. When Rick turned around from the trunk, they were both standing there, eating their Big Cats in sync.

Rick stopped short and then smiled. "Why do I get the feeling you two are gonna be trouble?"

"What?" Michonne acted offended. "No trouble here." Carl just grinned. It was good to have his friend back. This reminded him to make sure they stocked up on some Big Cat bars though. He shared a look with Michonne. She nodded. She understood. She always did.

"I'll put it on the list, kid. Definitely need to get us a stash." She smiled at Rick and turned and walked back to the house. Rick turned back to the car, but Carol stopped him this time.

"Rick? Do ya think I could go back to the house, grab some of Sophia and my stuff? Would I have time before Ed's released?"

Rick was already shaking his head as he turned back toward her. "That's not a good idea, Carol. He won't be able to get a judge to make bail until tomorrow morning, but it's best you stay away in case I'm wrong. He'll come back angry and if he finds you there..." he trailed off. They all knew what Ed would do.

Carol scoffed now. "I'm not the cowed housewife I was yesterday. He tries anything and I'll take him out."

Rick put his hand on her shoulder. "I know you aren't, but do you really want to take chances with your life? With Sophia's life? Right now you're where nobody can find you. Carl and I can stop early in the morning and gather up what you need if you make a list for me." They'd already planned to pull Carl out of school the next day to come back to the farm.

Carol deflated now. She nodded, she knew Rick was right. She turned as Annette handed her one of Maggie's composition books and a pen. "Now you just make a list right here. We got the spare bedroom for ya, and Rick will have your stuff here in the morning. No use having to hide a body right off."

While Carol wrote some things down, Merle and Daryl came out with Hershel, deep in conversation.

"Going cold turkey won't do you any good, we gotta do this the right way," Hershel said. "I'll take you over to see my neighbor, Mr. Fischer. He's the admin of a rehab facility in the next town over but he and his wife live here at the family farm. They dabble in farming but he's good at his job. Got the Landry kid down the road clean and nobody thought that was possible. We'll drive over there now and he'll get ya taken care of. Probably about 14 days in rehab and then if you come back here, we can help you with the rest." Hershel glanced out over the farm. "In fact, it sounds like we'll have a lot of work going on so you'll have plenty to do to distract yourself with at that point."

Merle nodded along and Daryl chewed his thumb while he thought real hard. Finally he said, "Okay Merle, you let me know when you're back and I'll come out and meet ya."

Annette turned around to Daryl so quick, Carl thought she'd topple over. "Where do you think you're going young man?"

Daryl froze. "Back to our place ta wait for Merle ta get all cleaned up."

"You'll do no such thing," Annette chided him. "You'll stay here with us. Shawn has room, you can bunk with him. Sounds like Hershel will need some muscle on the farm anyway. You can get your things, but I want you right back here tonight, ya hear?"

Daryl ducked his head as Carl smirked at him. He was glad Annette was making him stay, Daryl needed to be with family.

"Yes'm," Daryl finally replied.

Merle cackled, "Ya stay with them, little brother, sos ya don't get up ta no good while I's gone. I's be back in no time." Carl could see Merle's hands shaking even as he harassed his brother. It was good Merle was getting help tonight.

Despite the delay, they got Carol's list and were on the road soon, following Daryl's truck out to the highway. They turned one way and he turned the other and they were on their way home. Carl waited a bit, sorting out his thoughts while they drove most of the way home. Finally he broached the subject on his mind.

"Dad? What are we going to do about Mom? And Judith?"

His Dad let out a long sigh. He felt that in his soul, it made him tired when he thought about all the work they'd have to do to get Mom to cooperate. He had a better viewpoint now that he was older. His Mom definitely wasn't easy and she wasn't going to just go along with whatever they said. She'd have questions. So many questions.

"I don't know, son. I've been thinking it through all day. I don't think she'll just take our say-so."

Carl snorted at that. "Yeah, no way. Mom will want proof. So how do we protect her if she won't come without proof?"

"I think we're just going to have to figure it out as we go. We can make all kinds of plans, but until we know how she's going to react, there's not much point in putting a lot of effort into it."

"So you think we should tell her the truth?"

"I don't see any way around that. The truth is the only thing that'll get her out to the farm."

"You think she'll believe us?"

"I don't know. I just don't know. Where it's both of us? Maybe."

Rick thought for a few more moments and then said, "Carl, I can't be with your Mom anymore. We just can't make it work anymore. I'd like to say we could but just so much has happened since..."

Carl cut him off. "Dad! I know. I don't expect you to. I want to protect Mom, bring her with us, but I don't expect you to be together like that anymore. I mean, what would Sandi say when we find her? She's meant to be with you Dad, not Mom. We both know that. You guys were good together."

His Dad lets out a sign of relief. "I do know that. I just wasn't sure you did. I'm gonna keep looking for Sandi."

"We'll find her Dad. I know we will. She and her kids will be there right when we need them. They're our family. Besides, I kinda liked having siblings. Mom's just going to have to understand. What about Shane?"

"Hmmm. Shane's a good question. I want to save him too, if we can. He was right about a lot of things, ya know, back at the beginning. His delivery was just...wrong."

Carl laughed. "Well, I don't want him trying to kill you again. Are you sure?"

"I'm not sure of anything about Shane and your Mom. But I think we have to give them the chance, right? If we do it right, maybe we can save them both. Maybe they can still have Judith and be okay. I can be okay with that now, with them together."

Carl thought about that while looking out the window at the passing scenery for a while.

"I guess that'd be okay. If he can control himself. And if they understand that Judith is ours too, we love her. But I'll be watching, if he even twitches your way..."

"I get it. I haven't brought it up to Hershel or anyone else yet. But everyone will be watching."

"Alright."

They pulled onto their street and there in their driveway sat Shane's Jeep Wrangler YJ.

"I guess we'll be having this conversation sooner than I thought we would," Rick said as he parked.

A/N Surprisingly enough, the inspiration keeps coming. Still a lot of talking though. 😊 Carl's point of view this time. More is coming together and plans are in place. Merle is going into rehab. Next chapter will be the confrontation with Lori and Shane, so we'll see how that goes. Will Rick and Carl be able to save them? Will the rest of the group accept them if they do? Will Judith still be able to make her entrance? It'll all depend on the choices they make and if they'll believe them or not.