The journal (rarl)

Vol. 25 | Five Years Later

Five years later

"Hey love." Ron said, hugging Carl from behind.
Carl, now twenty three, was in the kitchen searching for something to eat.
"Hey sweetie." Carl said, turning around and kissing Ron.
"You find anything to eat?" Ron asked, opening the fridge and immediately noticing it was empty.
Alexandria had been struggling for food.
Rick had even let Negan out of his cell to work the gardens and go on runs.
"No. Nothing." Carl said, not surprised.
"Well, what do you think? Do you think that group Eugene was talking with will really help us?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. They have to, right? We have nothing else." Carl replied.
"Yeah I guess." Ron said, not sure.

...

Carl and Ron sat on a bench at the park holding hands.
"Carl, come play!" R.J. Exclaimed, excited to see his brother.
"Please Carl?" Judith said, her long brown hair draped over her.
Carl thought she looked a lot like Lori.
"Ok fine!" Carl said, getting up to play with his siblings.
"Have fun." Ron said sarcastically.
"They're more fun than you." Carl joked.
"Oh I'm sure." Ron said, leaning back on the bench.

Sam came over and sat next to Ron where Carl had been.
"Hey. Where's Henry and Lydia?" Ron asked about their other siblings.
"Well, Lydia is probably making out with Elijah, and Henry is probably making out with some girl." Sam replied, only half joking.
"Sounds about right. Why aren't you making out with someone, huh?" Ron asked, making fun of his younger brother.
"Why aren't you?" Sam asked back.
"Well, those kids over there stole my make out partner." Ron said, gesturing to the grimes siblings playing on the swings.
"Aw how sad." Sam said sarcastically.
"It's tragic really." Ron joked with a smile.

"Hey, you know, I was thinking about dad." Sam said after sometime.
"His cancer? Yeah me too." Ron said, referring to Ezekiel.
"Oh, um, not Ezekiel, but like.. dad. Pete, I guess." Sam said quietly.
"Oh. What about him?" Ron said, surprised.
Sam hadn't talked about Pete for years.
No one had.
"I don't know. Just everything about him.
Do you remember how every holiday he would tell me not to eat all my candy at once?" Sam said.
"Yeah. And you still would. And then you'd get sick." Ron said with a smile.
"Mhm. And he'd be like "I told you Sammy. You never listen"" Sam said, quoting their father, smiling.
"Um mean, he wasn't wrong." Ron said with a laugh.
"True." Sam agreed.

...

One week later

"September 23rd,
Hey bob. I know I don't write much, but you're running out of pages. That why only write a few times a year. Maybe I need a new book? 
Anyway, that group Eugene found, the commonwealth, is really well off apparently.
They're willing to help us fix up Alexandria, but we're going to go live at there place for a while. Eugene said it's really nice there. Like a place from before. It sounds nice, but I think I'll come back to Alexandria after it's fixed.
It's home, you know?
I should be packing up.

See you later skater."

Ron sat his book down in the pile of things he wanted to take with him.
"Hey you almost ready?" Carl asked, putting his backpack over his shoulders.
"Yeah. Just a minute." Ron said, stuffing his things into a bag.
"Ok. I'll be in the car." Carl said, giving Ron a kiss before he left.

Ron took a look around the room that had been his and Carl for so many years.
He would miss it, but he would be back. Soon.

"Ready?" Ron asked, sitting next to Carl in the car.
"Yeah. I'm excited to see this place." Carl said, optimistic it would be like before.
"Me too." Ron said, putting his head on Carls shoulder.

...

"What's your name?" A man asked Ron.
Ron was going through the commonwealth's processing system. As was the feast of the group.
"Ronnie Grimes." Ron replied.
Now that Ron thought about it, Sam was the only one who's name was still Anderson.
Ezekiel and Jessie had gotten married about two years ago.
"Oh. You're related to Rick Grimes?" The man asked, perking up at the idea.
"He's my father in law. I'm married to his son." Ron stated.
"I see. I've heard great things about him." The man said.
"Yeah. He's a good guy." Ron said sincerely.
"So I've been told. I look forward to meeting him." He said.
"Hey, I don't think I caught your name." Ron said, hoping he hadn't just forgotten.
"That's right! I forgot to tell you. I'm lance. Lance Hornsby." He said with an unnatural smile.

Ron was surprised with how thorough these people were. They even took his finger prints.

"Alright. You're all set. You'll be staying in apartment building 36, apartment 227. Once you're husband is done with his processing, I'll give him the same number. I'm sure you two want to live together." Lance said, leading Ron to the door so he could explore the commonwealth.
"Yeah we do. Thanks. How do I find the apartment building?" Ron asked.
"It's not far from here. Just a few blocks. It'll have a big 36 on it. You can ask a solider if you get lost though." Lance informed Ron, handing him keys for the apartment.
"When will Carl be done?" Ron asked.
"Carl? Oh, your husband. Hm. Probably a few hours. There's plenty for you to do while you wait though. I'd recommend going to the bakery and getting a cupcake. They're divine, honestly. Here, on me." Lance said, handing Ron a twenty dollar bill.
"Oh um, thanks." Ron said, surprised by the generosity.
"Of course. Enjoy the commonwealth. It's a beautiful place." Lance said, leaving Ron alone in unfamiliar streets.

...

Ron made his way into the bakery lance had recommended.
"Welcome in. What can I get you?" A woman asked.
"Um, I was told to get a cupcake from here." Ron said, feeling nervous without Carl.
"Did lance send you?" She asked with a smile.
"Mhm." Ron said shaking his head and smiling back.
"Of course. Just give me a second." The woman said, going into the back of the store.

"Hello! Welcome to Elodies treats!
What can I-" a different worker started, coming out from the back.
"Ronnie!? Is that you?!" A familiar voice said.
A voice Ron hadn't heard in years.