Never ending nightmare - 【Daryl Dixion】book one

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

[chapter isn't edited]
{warning: language}

Willow sat on the front porch, one hand wrapped around a large potato and the other holding a kitchen knife. A bucket was between her feet catching the rough potato skins.

Charlie cooed beside her. He was set up in a laundry basket. He chewed on a red plastic block that Glenn had picked up for him on one of his runs the other day and Charlie hadn't let go of it since.

The sun was slowly starting to set, the sky turning a grapefruit orange.

Tonight, was the dinner that Hershel had promised the group. Each person was put to work doing something. Lori was inside with Beth and Maggie, working on the carrots and whatever other veggies were going to make an appearance at dinner tonight.

Out in the yard by the camp was Carl and Sophia, the two young children kicking around a soccer ball.

Daryl, Rick, Shane, t-dog, dale, and Hershel were huddled around an old gas grill that Hershel had hauled out from one of the old sheds on the property. The sweet smell of steak and marinated chicken wafted through the air.

The men each had a beer in their hands. Their hands wrapped around the neck of the bottle. Rick and Shane stood side by side talking about what Willow assumed were the good old days back when they were at the sheriff's department. Daryl sat in a tattered lawn chair that he had found out behind the Greene house with dale and t-dog close by chatting amongst themselves.

For a moment it was calm on the Greene farm. No one was at each other's throats or threatening to feed the other to the walkers.

"Would ya look at that." Hershel peered over the basket and smiled at the small baby. "How's the potatoes comin along?"

Willow tilted the large blue bowl back to show him the thinly sliced potatoes. "About done, figured we could have some mashed potatoes and russet potatoes or freeze 'em for later."

The old man nodded looking over at the group of men grilling by the camper. "They seem to be gettin along."

She looked up, a naked potato in hand. "Yea. You get them separated and give them a bottle then they're good." She snickered at her own little joke.

"You better get them rounded up." Hershel smiled, pressing a hand gently on the top of her head. "I'll bring in the potatoes." He said taking the bowl of potatoes and the knife.

Willow picked Charlie up from the basket and placed him on her hip. "Oh my goodness you're so warm and toasty." She grinned, hugging him.

Charlie squealed, grabbing at his aunt's shirt and kicking out his legs.

Blue stretched before he caught up to Willow, his paws tapping against the dry dirt.

The closer they got to the group of men grilling the more Willow's mouth watered for once she wasn't thinking of protecting those around her but thinking of how good the steak and roasted zucchini would taste.

"Willow, come to join the party?" Called out Glenn who was a few beers in. He used Dale to hold himself up.

"Actually, I came to see what was taking you guys so long." She looked around at the group of men and shook her head. "Seems like you guys are just drinking."

"It's not every day we're lucky enough to relax and have a beer." Rick held up a half empty beer bottle.

Shane rolled his eyes. "I still think drinking is a bad idea."

"A beer or two is fine." Willow chimed in. "Hell, Glenn's already smashed."

"Lightweight." Daryl shook his head.