Shy

Worry and Family Chapter 8

DARYL P.O. V.

I'm cleaning open of my arrows off, when Lori, Rick, and Shane walk up to me. 

" Mornin' Daryl. " Lori greets. 

" Mornin'. " I keep my eyes on my arrow. 

" Look, we need to talk. " Shane looks down at me. 

" Okay. Talk. " 

Lori sighs. " We need to figure something out about Jesse. She keeps leaving the tent at night when we sleep, and when she does stay put, she doesn't get any sleep. It's not healthy. And it's dangerous. "

" I know. " I sigh. " She keeps coming ta my tent. "

" Maybe she should stay with you. " I look up at Rick.

" What? Why? I have no idea how to care fer a child. I don't know what ta do, or what ta say. I have no idea what I'm doin'.  " 

" She trusts you Daryl. She feels safe. We'll help you, and you'll get the hang of it. " Lori smiles warmly at me. 

" I guess I could try this. I mean, she'll probably end up hating me, but I'll give it a try.  " 

" Thank you Daryl. " 

The  three walk away, and I look at the ground. How am I supposed to do this? 

JESSE P.O.V.

" Daryl? " I say groggily. I unzip the tent flap, and walk outside. 

" Mornin' Jesse. " Daryl says looking at me. 

" Good morning Daryl. " I sit down and watch as he fixes his arrows. 

Everyone's doing their morning routine. Washing clothes. Cooking breakfast. Playing.

Is this what a family's like? Working together. Hanging out. Joking. I have never had the family experience. I have never had a mama or a daddy. I have never had a brother or a sister. I have never had uncles, aunts or grandparents. 

I have only ever seen families in the movies. 

At the orphanage, when kids got adopted, I was always so jealous. But then, when some got returned, I felt so lucky I wasn't the heart broken kid. 

Part of me wants to belong in someone's family, but the other part doesn't. I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to be left. I don't want to be hurt. 

" What are ya thinkin' about kiddo? " 

I jump, and Daryl chuckles. " Family. " 

" Do ya have one out there? We'll find um. " 

I shake my head. " I don't have a family. I'm an orphan. I was just wonderin' how a family works. " 

" To be honest, I don't have much experience with family. Families are filled with the people ya love. They don't have ta be blood related, ya just have ta care about the people. "