Jessie Anderson, widow of Pete Anderson, had informed Rick Grimes that she didn't need his help and that he could feel free to back off. Her oldest son, Ron, had told her that Rick had pushed him around, yelled at him and that was unacceptable. Rosita would help her learn to shoot and Jessie would in turn teach her kids to shoot. Rick's help was unnecessary and unwelcome.
After the Wolves had made their way into Alexandria, however, Jessie's "independent woman" act fell to pieces. The danger had come into her home and she'd frozen in terror, unable to protect herself or her children. Jessie began to regress to her former "damsel in distress" ideals, once again depending on Rick for safety and validation. Ron was beyond disgusted and began to make himself scarce. Sam, small and scared, didn't understand exactly what had happened between Rick and his father and just went along with whatever his mother chose to do.
Slowly but surely, Jessie began to try and assimilate herself into Rick's and his family's lives. She'd invite herself over, saying she was scared, or lonely. Who would turn away a defenseless widow, especially when the man of the house was the one who had given her that title?
None of this went unnoticed by the rest of the household, especially not Michonne. Women can see the actions of other women easier than men. Michonne knew that Jessie was adrift in the world and was desperately looking for an anchor. Why wouldn't she choose Rick? He'd already shown an interest in her, he'd promised to care for her, for her children. He'd killed her husband for fuck's sake. Whether it was because Pete had killed Reg or because Rick just wanted Pete out of the way, Michonne still wasn't sure. She hoped that Rick wasn't that kind of man and until they'd reached Alexandria, she would have bet money that he wasn't.
Now, even after all that had happened, Michonne still wasn't a hundred percent sure what Rick's real intentions were.
As soon as Jessie granted Rick permission to approach her once more, he was immediately at her beck and call. Jessie at had actually suggested at one point that she and her boys stay with Rick temporarily. Michonne happened to overhear the conversation and was dumbfounded at the nerve of this woman. The Grimes' house was already full to capacity and with the recent addition of Morgan, adding more people was impossible. There was also the fact that Jessie's oldest son hated Rick and wanted nothing to do with him, which Rick had to remind her.
When this didn't work, Jessie had suggested Rick could stay with her some nights after her kids had gone to bed. If Rick had picked up on the hidden suggestion within the offer, he hadn't let on.
They had come up with a compromise of sorts. Rick would check on her from time to time, making sure she and the boys were alright and safe. What started as a few welfare checks quickly morphed into Rick going to unclog a sink or teaching Jessie how to clean her gun.
Rick seemed to feel more and more uncomfortable with all of Jessie's requests but felt he had no choice. Once he'd pulled the trigger and ended Pete's life, Rick had made himself responsible for the Anderson family, as well as his own.
Michonne did her best to maintain a distance from the entire situation but it was difficult to ignore the effect Rick's frequent absences were taking on his own children. Rick was either at Jessie's house or she was at theirs. It felt like Carl and Judith never had his undivided attention. Michonne didn't want to admit it to herself, but she missed him too.
For lack of a better term, Rick was on constant "husband duty" to a woman he wasn't married to and it made Michonne uneasy. She would remind herself that this wasn't her business; Rick could do what he wanted and usually did. This was beginning to affection Carl and Judith, however and their well-being was absolutely her business. She wasn't looking forward to it, but she and Rick would need to have a discussion and soon.
XxxxxxxxX
Carl walked in from school, looking around expectantly.
"Where's Dad?" he asked Michonne, setting his bag on the floor.
"Is that where your bag belongs?" she responded with only the hint of a smile.
With an exasperated sigh that only teenagers can pull off, Carl picked his bag back up and headed to his room. Coming back down the stairs, he asked again.
"So where is he?"
Michonne had hoped if she'd stalled a bit, she wouldn't have to answer but there was no such luck.
"He's at Jessie's." Again, she groaned internally.
Carl looked angry and frustrated.
"What is it now? Did she forget how to tie her own shoes?"
"Carl," Michonne interjected "That's disrespectful…and funny. But mostly disrespectful."
She sighed and approached the younger boy.
"I don't know what's going on...and I'm sorry. I know you were looking forward to spending some time with him this afternoon. This isn't fair to you." Michonne ruffled his hair, a task that was getting more difficult by the day. Carl was growing by leaps and bounds. Pretty soon she'd be looking up to him, literally.
Judy was no different. Since they'd reached Alexandria, the little girl had started sprouting up as well. She had begun pulling herself to a standing position by grabbing onto furniture. Her babbling was slowly turning into almost recognizable words. She'd be walking with no help before much longer. Rick hadn't been around for a lot of it.
While you're taking care of her family, you're missing out on your own, Rick, Michonne thought bitterly.
It was after dark by the time Rick Grimes made his way home. Dinner was long over and the rest of the home's inhabitants had made their way to their respective rooms for the evening. All except one, that is.
Michonne sat in the living room alone, meeting Rick's eyes as he guiltily closed the door behind him. One look at her and Rick knew he was in trouble. She sat quietly, arms crossed, her disappointment in him almost palpable.
"Hey…" he started carefully, unsure of what she had in store for him.
Michonne slowly rose from the couch, crossing the room to meet Rick where he stood.
"Rick," she started, "We need to talk. Now."
