"Hey there girl" normally Maggie would ask how I was doing, but it was all too apparent. From head to toe I spelt train wreck. She sat on my side of the bed, leaning into me as she crinkled her nose.
"Rackel, you've gotta let me clean you up. I think you'd work as a walker repellent right now" she laughed and I joined in, following her lead. I nodded as we scooted off the bed and went to the bathroom.
She knelt over the Victorian style bath and began running the water, pouring my lavender bathox into the tub. The bath turned a pretty magenta and we sat in silence, watching the water rise. I began to talk my blood caked clothes off as Maggie averted her gaze as an act of respect. I looked up and down my arms and legs, expecting to see a cut or hash somewhere, my skin was completely unmarked and the grief reared it's ugly head.
As I slowly eased myself into the tub I watched the water quickly transform from purple to murky brown. Maggie sat on a stool beside me, grabbed the cloth and began to rub my back gently. I grabbed the other one and began working on my front, washing away the last remnants of the best and worst day of my life.
"Thank you for doing this" I looked at her, thankful for the human connection. She continued to scrub at my skin
"Come on now. It's only fair, you pretty much did the same for me"
my mind immediately traced back but I pushed the thoughts straight back out. I nodded as she pushed my head back, pouring water through my bedraggled mop. Maggie poured shampoo in her hand and began massaging the product in, as I slightly sunk into the bath enjoying the sensation.
Maggie cleared her throat "I'm so glad Judith got your hair Rackel. She's growing up so fast!" I smiled at the thought of her, I couldn't wait until I was allowed to see my beautiful little niece. We had been almost inseparable before I'd left, now I feared that she wouldn't even know who I was when she saw me. Maggie tilted my head back and washed out the shampoo, distracting me from my thoughts. She then started on the conditioner, it reminded me of going to the salon early days when I used to stress about getting a distinction at college.
"How's baby?" I looked at her small but pronounced bump as she rubbed it lovingly.
"He's a strong one!" I let out the first genuine laugh, she was so confident in her little one's gender.
"You can't know that yet! I wouldn't be painting the nursery just yet Mags" she laughed back at me pouring the warm water over my head
"I know it Rackel! I don't know how but I just know!"
I nodded in appreciation, woman's intuition I suppose.
I looked up to her, holding back the tears
"I loved him you know Mags. Everyone thinks I've just gone crazy, but I truly loved him; warts and all."
Maggie paused but never broke eye contact
"I know you did sweetie. I could tell from the very moment I saw you in the RV. You've changed, like I changed when I met Glenn"
A single tear fell down my cheek as I realised she understood, no judgment present in her eyes.
I gulped, not wanting to start another crying marathon "I don't know what to do! I've lost my true north, I'm drifting" she rubbed my shoulder, it was comforting. Maggie had been a good friend of mine despite what my brother did, I'd never met someone so strong and empathetic.
I pulled the plug and watched the water level lower. The drain already having trouble with all the debris that came off me, the final physical remnants of that fateful day. Not wanting to ponder too much I spring into action, stepped out of the bath, wrapped a towel around me and entered the bedroom.
I wrapped myself in my old robe, put a towel around my head and sat on the bed. My eyes immediately began to droop, my eyelids got extremely heavy as I felt my anxiety build, not wanting to relive it again. Maggie had noticed and sat next to me and pulled me in for a hug. A calm washed over me as she gently stroked my curls
"Get some rest Rackel" I held onto her tightly, taking great comfort in her closeness
"Can you stay with me until I'm asleep?" She draped her arm over my shoulders
"Of course, now just relax"
I finally succumb to the feeling, letting my body finally fall into a deep content sleep.
YOU ARE READING
My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)
Fanfiction(Please read No Exceptions before) Rackel has been torn away from the Sanctuary and thrust back into uncertainty. She had established a home with her love and grown to love it there. Daryl had never been so relieved to see her, but knew something ha...
