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“You know, you don’t have to keep up the sweet, innocent housewife routine anymore,” Rick said, walking into the kitchen where Carol was mixing some things to bake.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carol said with a smirk and Rick chuckled.
“Even if Deanna trusts you and is putting you in charge, there will still be people who don’t trust you and won’t like the changes,” Carol explained, “If I keep up this charade for a while longer, no one will suspect anything, and they’ll talk around me without worrying. We’ll know who’s on our side and who to worry about.”
“They are going to regret everything they say and do around you when they realize how sneaky you actually are,” Rick said, smiling.
Carol just shrugged, the smirk not leaving her face, and went back to her baking.
Rick finished getting ready for the day and was just about to head out when there was a knock on the door.
“Hey Sam,” he said, opening it wider and allowing the boy to enter, “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” the boy replied, “Is Carol here?”
“Yeah, she’s in the kitchen, go on in,” Rick smiled at the boy before heading out the door.
“Hey Sam,” Carol smiled, “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged.
“Everything okay?” she asked. She had tried so hard to keep this boy at arm’s length, but it wasn’t working.
“Yeah…” Sam nodded, “Just wanted to hang out here… Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Carol smiled gently at him and ruffled his hair.
Ever since the incident with Reg and Pete, Sam had been spending more and more time at the house.
“How are things at home?” Carol asked cautiously, not wanting to scare the boy away.
Sam sighed, “My mom and Ron are fighting all the time.”
“Things will get better,” Carol assured him, “Stuff is hard right now, but it won’t last.”
“I know… it’s just…” Sam trailed off, biting his lip.
“Sam?” Carol prodded gently.
“He’s starting to sound more and more like my dad,” Sam whispered. “He gets so angry at every little thing, and my mom gets mad cause he’s not listening. They just scream at each other constantly.”
A few tears escaped Sam’s eyes and Carol opened her arms. Sam flung himself against her and Carol squeezed him tightly as he sobbed.
“Shhh, you’ll be okay,” she soothed.
“Can I, can I stay here? With you?” Sam hiccupped, looking up hopefully at Carol.
“I don’t think…” Carol trailed off without finished. She needed to tell him no. She had to. But the way he was looking at her.
She looked up and saw Daryl standing at the bottom of the stairs. He nodded almost imperceptibly.
“We’ll talk to your mom,” she said, “See what she says. Maybe you all just need a break from each other.”
“Thank you,” Sam squeezed her tighter, “Thank you Carol.”