Hard Candy [Carl Grimes/The Walking Dead]

New Adjustments

Less than two hours later, everyone has made themselves perfectly at home. Soon we'll be having them tossing knives and shooting guns like they were born to do it. Heaven knows I was taught well enough, me the queen of klutzes.

I can't tell you how truly wonderful it is having my family partially back. Of course, Rick and Carl and the group have taken me in, but it's nice to see my own flesh and blood too. Let's just hope Melly doesn't fuck up this chance reunion. What, you call me harsh? Maybe. But something tells me she will somehow. Call it a hunch, call it a premonition. All I know is that Melly Carr has never been a trustworthy soul, and I doubt even a world overrun with zombies will change that.

I guess we'll just have to see though.

***

Dinner is a chatty affair, Auntie Kiz and Uncle Kemp having easily made friends with their generous and likeable demeanor and such. They're open and friendly to everybody, like they've always been. I'm surprised they've gotten over the initial shock of losing the rest of their family, but they seem to be grieving quietly. Putting on a good face for the rest of us, I suppose, not that anyone could blame them for break in down. They were never ones to show their emotions.

Tonight, Rick barbecued chicken, and every other sentence out of my aunt's mouth is nothing but praise for him. At first it's a little annoying, but I don't mind. After all, that's exactly how Rick and the group were when they arrived here. And besides, this chicken is really good.

Like I said, it's so nice to have my family back (or at least some of it), but I just cannot stand the way Melly is acting towards Carl. Much to my displeasure, she managed to snag the seat to his right, and I notice multiple times her rubbing her leg up against his thigh, playing footsies under the table, and even once purposely knocking his fork off the table, just so she could bend over to retrieve it, and give my boyfriend a nice view of her ass.

Carl, however, won't have any part of it. Every time she rubs his knee or twirls her hair while giving him intense sex eyes, he just rolls his eyes, or ignores her, or pulls me closer and maybe even drops a light one on my lips, whatever he felt necessary to prove he was 100% taken. Melly is admittedly pretty damn hard to resist, but Carl holds his own. I've never been so proud of anyone in my entire life.

As for the other cousins, they seem to be holding up well. Karel brought more books than anything else it seems, and though he always has one in his face, he seems content here. Sometimes he and Carl play Halo together.

Luce and Judith really hit it off, and are basically joined at the hip. You'll never find one playing with dolls or Play-Doh without the other. It must be nice, having a friend. I mean, I have Carl, but I sincerely miss all my friends. Dana, Samm, Joyce and I were like sisters, too. The were the ones I made our zombie apocalypse plans with. I'm so grateful we did. I pray for their souls every day.

Uncle Kemp wipes his mouth. "So, tell me again., exactly how long has this... virus, I suppose, been spreading for? How long have you been staying with my niece?"

"A while," Rick replies wearily. "The sickness has been happening for ages. Years, to be honest. And unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of stopping." The way he said it, we could have been discussing a snowstorm.

Kemp nods solemnly. He and Aunt Kizzi exchange a long look. More questions, the same ones I asked, and the same answers too. Then, they turn their attention to me.

"So, Yara..."

My mouth full of food, I acknowledge my uncle with a nod.

He makes a steeple with his fingers, and looks at me intently. "I'm glad you're okay. You've dealt with a truly horrendous experience. I really can't put it into words. But here you are, all grown up and beautiful. God has answered my most sincere prayers and I thank him wholeheartedly."

I've never been good at taking compliments, so I just nod shyly and mumble thanks, not quite sure where this is going.

He clears his throat. "Now, you've missed out on quite a lot of your life. School, life lessons," He pauses. "relationships..."

It dawns on me. Though being über-religious, my aunt and uncle were strict believers in their children knowing all about "the facts of life" so they didn't end up like "all the other dunderheads out there", with their "useless facts, myths and taboo". (Well, it's too late for Melly at least.) And I suppose they now assume that my parents are both dead, they didn't live long enough to give me the birds-and-bees talk. Little do they know we learnt this is school several years ago. And it's entirely unnecessary they teach me right now.

But that's my aunt and uncle for you. No time is a wrong time for learning. But this is actually really not the time. Or ever, actually.

I nod slowly. "I suppose." I cast a quick, meaningful glance to Carl, who returns it. But not quick enough, because Kemp sees it and pounces on it.

"Oh, I understand," He nods knowingly. "You do have some... experience."

I'm burning hotter than a coal stove, my insides churning. Carl looks fairly uncomfortable as well. Everyone's looking at me, Carl included. I don't want to feel like I have to hide Carl and I. Might as well just fess up.

"I'm eighteen, Uncle Kemper, what do you expect? I've had boyfriends." I just want this whole awkward exchange to end.

But he isn't finished. "Your aunt and I mean well. We just want the best for you. We want you to know... basic information."

Please don't, I plead telepathically to him. I know all this! Daryl is trying to smother his guffaws. Maggie and Glenn exchange a knowing look. Tara and Rosita giggle to each other. Even Karel looks up from his Agatha Christie novel to exchange a smirk with Melly, whose looking absolutely pleased.

I pick up my cup and take a deep swig from it, suddenly feeling parched. My chicken has lost its taste.

My aunt cuts in. "Dear, we just want you to know about, you know, diseases and possibilities that can go along with unprotected se-"

"ALL RIGHT," I say loudly, with a huge phony smile. Everyone stares. I hate making a scene, but this is entirely necessary. I push back my chair, so fast that my hat falls. I don't make any immediate moves to retrieve it. "Anyone up for dessert?"

"I'll help," Carl volunteers too quickly.

Aunt Kiz turns to Rick, who is either upset that his chicken is being upstaged by the world's most awkward sex talk, or just amused and slightly sickened like the rest of us. She touches his arm. "Rick, your boy looks like he has a good head on his shoulders. I trust you've taken the necessary precautions with him as well?"

Rick struggled to find his voice. "Yes, of course, Kizzi. We have gone over... guidelines." He suddenly look very tired.

But that's not good enough for Uncle Kemp. "Rick, with all due respect, have you even considered what youngsters are doing these days? They do it like a joke. Like it's a game." He swivels and looks directly at Carl, who looks like a deer that knows it's about to be shot. Uncle Kemp wags a finger at him. "Let me tell you, young man. Don't think we don't know what goes on between hormonal teenagers these days. But let me tell you, son. Pregnancy and disease are not a game." He sounds like a commercial advertising condoms, or a colourful pamphlet handed out at at school.

Not knowing what else to do, I slam my cup down on the table. "WE HAVE PIE."

That gets their attention (Southerners love their pie). Immediately my aunt and uncle are clearing plates and cutlery, their sex ed. class forgotten for the moment at least. I collapse onto the couch and try to wrap my head around the whole predicament. Looks like I'll have to get used to this.