DEAD INSIDE

Tell it to the Frogs

Season One - Episode Three
Word Count: 10759
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Poor Carl hated getting his hair cut, that was something that hadn't changed after the world went to ruins. Seeing him fidget between Lori's legs as she tried her best to sip away the excess strands, it was hard to keep in my chuckles, "Baby, the more you fidget, the longer it takes. So don't, okay?" She sighed.

Carl just gave an exaggerated pout, "I'm trying."

"Well, try harder," she insisted, going around to the other side in attempt to get it even.

Apparently, my dad found it just as amusing, so tried to defuse the situation without giving away his amusement, "If you think this is bad, wait till you start shaving. That stings," he gave him a pointed look, " That day comes, you'll be wishing for one of your mama's haircuts."

Seeing Carl roll his eyes, muttering, "I'll believe that when I see it," made it impossible for my dad and I to keep in our chuckles.

"What I'd give to get my hair deep conditioned," I laughed, earning a dramatic longing look from Lori.

"Tell me about it. A good blow dry, it'd be like all my problems are solved," she chuckled slightly.

"I can think of one type of blowing that'd do that and it isn't by a drier," my dad muttered with a slight smirk on his face, earning him a smacked knee from Lori with an added glare, and a digested look from me.

"That's gross," I wrinkled my nose in his direction, but he only returned it with laughter.

"What type?" Carl peered up my dad with curiosity but with sharp look Lori immediately send him, he just grinned innocently as he took his head.

"Nothing, buddy," he shrugged off, "I'll tell you what, you just get through this with some manly dignity and tomorrow, I'll teach you something special," seeing Carl's eyes light up with interest, he continued, "I will teach you to catch frogs."

"Oh, this'll be good," I laughed under my breath, receiving a matching look from Lori as she bit back her grin.

"I've caught a frog before," Carl defended.

"I said frogs, plural. And it is an art, my friend," he raised a brow towards Carl, showing off the growing wrinkles on his forehead, "It is not to be taken lightly. There are ways and means," he spoke like it was the most intricate thing in the universe, "Few people know about it. I'm willing to share my secrets." He bowed his head slightly, with narrowed eyes.

Carl looked up between Lori and I, an unsure expression, clearly having no idea how to answer the weirdness that my dad just sprouted. "Oh, I'm a girl," she laughed, pointing her finger towards my dad, "You talk to him."

"Can't help you, buddy," I raised my hands in defence, "I've had to sit and listen to these secrets years ago. I'm not going through that again."

"I thought you loved catching frogs," my dad mocked offence, sending fake daggers in my directing.

"Oh, I did," I admitted with a nod, "I just hated you scrutinizing every move I made."

"Without my scrutiny, you wouldn't have caught a thing," he tutted, turning his face to divert his eyes.

"I beg to differ," I sassed slightly, a small smirk growing on his face when he just turned back towards Carl, knowing there was no use in arguing.

"It's a one-time offer, bud, not to be repeated." He stated firmly.

"Why do we need frogs, plural?" Carl wondered, his eyes evolving into curiosity once again.