The Next World

Chapter 17

We turned the corner and were lucky to see she was making her way up the street.

"Hey," Daryl called.

"Yes?" she retorted.

"This thing at the bottom right here. You're talking about the drink, right?" Daryl asked.

I leaned over and looked at the list. The word 'Crush' was written at the very bottom of the list.

"I am, but..." she started.

"It's not medical," he said.

"No, I drew a line between the important stuff and that. I just figured if you saw it," she said.

"All right," he replied.

"Anything remotely medical is a priority. And food, maybe even before medicine and gas or batteries or books for the kids or clothes it just...if you see it, if it happens to, you know, be right there," she said.

"You like it, right?" Daryl asked.

"No, I don't drink pop," she replied.

"What the hell is pop?" he asked.

"Babe, it's another word for soda," I interjected.

"Oh," he said.

"Yeah. I'm originally from Ohio," she said.

"Right. And they call soda, 'pop'," I said.

She nodded.

"Why you want it?" Daryl asked.

"Cause Tara was talking about it in her sleep, I think. Either she likes it or she doesn't, but if she likes it, it'd be a really nice surprise. I'm not good with that kind of stuff, and she and Heath are going on that two-week run. I just thought it'd be a nice going-away present," she said.

"That's sweet Denise. I'm sure she'd like the thought of it either way," I said.

"Thank you. Just, uh, don't go out of your way. And if it gives you trouble..." she trailed off.

"I won't," Daryl said.

"Okay, good, 'cause it's not important. I should have said so instead of just drawing a line," she said.

"Got it," Daryl said.

"Hey. I'll stop by later to see if you need help with anything all right, " I said.

"Thanks, Amelia. You don't have to but I do appreciate it," she said.

"See you then," I said.

We parted ways. Daryl and I made our way to the car he and Rick would be taking.

"That's sweet of her. Tara will be surprised if it turns out that she likes that drink," I said.

"Hope I find it. After everything she's done. She deserves that," Daryl said.

I kissed his cheek.

"Look at you. Being all sweet and shit," I said.

"Was I not been before?" he asked.

"No. You always have been. I'm just surprised every time you decide to show it. The good kind of surprised," I said.

He smirked. Rick was now making his way to the car.

"Ready?" he asked Daryl.

"Mmm-hmm," he mumbled.

"Okay, kiddos. Be safe out there. Come back in one piece and remember I love you both," I said.

Rick chuckled.

"I'll take good care of him," Rick said.

"Take care of yourself too. I do love you, you know," I said.

"I know," he said opening his arms out to me.

I went over and gave him a hug. I kissed his cheek. He and Daryl got into the car. I leaned in and kissed Daryl.

"I love you," I said.

"I love ya too," he said.

"I'll see you two later okay," I said.

They both nodded. I stepped back and watched them make their way to the front gate. I made my way to the infirmary. Denise and Tara were deep in conversation when I got there.

"Oh. I can come back later if you all want," I said feeling bad for interrupting them.

"No, its fine, Amelia. Come on in," Tara said.

"We were just discussing what would be good for her to take on that two-week run coming up," Denise said.

"Oh. Well, anything worth taking into consideration yet?" I asked.

"Denise thinks that Heath and I should take more food than needed," Tara said.

"Well, you never know what could happen out there. I'm sure she suggested it just in case," I said.

I looked over at Denise.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

I nodded.

"Ganging up on me is that it?" Tara asked teasingly.

"Well, I had to look at it from both sides. Ever since the two of you got together, I can't have any favorites," I said.

Tara chuckled.

"Well, I already know that I've got dibs on that title. I'm gonna go out on watch. Michonne's shift is almost through. I'll see the both of you later," Tara said.

She went and kissed Denise then waved bye to me.

"She's gonna appreciate that drink when Daryl brings it," I said once she left.

"If he gets it," Denise said.

"He'll get it," I said.

I spent almost all afternoon there. I cleaned up around the place. Making sure the syringes were intact. That we had sufficient gauze and bandages. Denise took inventory of the medicine, writing down what we needed. Once we finished, we took a seat across from one another.

"Carl stopped by to change his bandage earlier," she said.

"How's his socket healing?" I asked.

"It's healing properly. Nothing to be concerned about. How's his behavior?" she asked.

"For a while he was real moody. Talking back and such. I think it was due to frustration more than anything. But he's doing much better. He's becoming more like himself every day. Again, I thank you Denise. For all you've done," I said.

"Glad to hear he's doing better. And if it wasn't for him, I would have never gained the confidence to be the doctor this place needs. I mean, as bad as that sounds," she said.

"It doesn't. He was the first patient that got you to really step up and be the doctor that you were meant to be," I said.

"I studied psychology and it sounds as if you may have too," she said.

"No. I just...I'm an observer I guess. And when you observe things and people long enough, you tend to pick up a few things along the way," I said.

"I think you would have made one hell of a psychologist," she said.

"Yeah. The money would have been sensational. Charge $500 by the hour," I said.

She chuckled.

"The money would have been great wouldn't it?" she asked jokingly.

We both laughed.

"Well, I better get back home and get started on dinner. I'll see you later, Denise," I said getting up and heading for the door.

"Thanks for the help, Amelia," she said.

"Happy to do so. If you need anything else, just let me know okay?" I said.

"I will," she said.

I waved and left the infirmary.