Whispered Promises

Chapter Seven

 When I got in the house, I warmed up some leftovers and then the house phone started to ring. I picked up the phone and said hello. "Hey Liz. It's Rita", a voice responded back to me. "Oh, Hey Rita is everything okay down in Florida? You're coming home tomorrow night, right?", I asked her. I hear sniffling coming from Rita. "Rita is everything okay?", I ask in a softer tone. "Um.... so, my son is facing more serious charges than we thought. So, I'm going to be here for a while. And I'm probably closing down the bar till I get back.", she spoke, holding back tears. "Um I think I did a pretty good job handling the bar, it was a pretty smooth day. I think we can manage the bar until you get back.". Who's we?" Rita questioned. "Oh, Daryl helped me out today. Made sure I wasn't overwhelmed, and nobody messed with me.", I explained to Rita. "Daryl Dixon?"

"Yeah, I-

"Look, Elizabeth. Every day at the bar is not going to be smooth sailing. And working with anybody with the last name Dixon isn't going to be either. So, before I green light you and Daryl working in my establishment without my supervision. I will be laying down some ground rules. No free drinks: I don't want Merle coming looking for hands out cause his brother is behind the bar. Make sure my door is locked every night. And please, I cannot stress this enough; I don't know the relationship between you and Dixon but please don't have sex in my bar.

"Rita, You 100% don't need to worry about anything like that. You can absolutely trust me with the bar.", I assured her. "Okay but I will be holding you responsible for everything".

"Thank You Rita! I promise you won't regret it", I assured her. We both shared our good nights and hung up the phone.

The front door opened, and my mother and David walked in. I turned toward the stairs because I didn't want to hear from either one of them. "Wait, Elizabeth", my mother called after me. "I'm tired, so I'm going to bed", I spoke back without turning around to look at them. "Please just talk to me. So, we can explain.", my mother pleaded. "No, thank you. I'm going to bed, so good night.". I walked upstairs and ran into my grandmother in the hallway. "What's all the noise in my house this late at night". "Mama and David wanted to explain their situation, but really didn't want to hear it.", I explained to her. "Well Libby-Beth, I know you feel like she broke your trust, but at least hear her out before you judge. Everyone deserves at least that."

"Well grandma, how do you feel about them?", I wondered. "Do I like the way they started their relationship? No. But I know my daughter and I know she has regrets about how her actions affected you. Listen, David really is a good guy. He treats her very well just like your father. The last few years have been rough on your mama and David has been a ray of sunshine in her life. So just try to hear her out. Okay?".

"Okay"

"Okay, baby. Good night."

I went to my room to think about what Mama E said and I might think about what David and my mother had to say.