Rick grabbed the plastic container that Carol had brought over yesterday, hungry for something sweet to start the day. His smile quickly vanished as the opened lid revealed only remnants of the treats he had expected to find.
"I could have sworn there were at least three or four cookies left in here last night," he muttered to no one directly, yet loudly enough for a certain woman to hear.
Michonne ignored him, choosing instead to focus on landing the airplane full of oatmeal into Judith's mouth.
"Don't look at me," Carl huffed. "I didn't like them the first time around."
Rick chuckled to himself, recalling Carl's reaction to tasting them after dinner last night.
"Yeah, considering that I almost wound up wearing one after you tried it, I'd say that gets you off the hook." Rick side-eyed Michonne, knowing full well that she was pretending to disregard the conversation.
After scooping up another spoonful for Judith, Michonne realized that both Grimes boys were now fully staring at her, silent in their accusation.
"Me? Hold on...wait a minute," she stuttered, trying to deflect the attention off of herself. "Look, I'm not knocking Carol's baking skills, but I prefer my cookies with a little more, what's the word I'm looking for...um, taste?"
"So you realize you're knocking Carol's baking skills, right?", laughed Carl.
"Listen, she makes the best with what she's got. I just wish that included chocolate." Michonne paused, allowing the thought of such goodness to override her usual cool composure. She moaned, "Or Nutella." That last word glided off of Michonne's tongue almost erotically, much to Rick's surprise and pleasure.
"Nutella, huh? I never knew it was that, um, enticing. I definitely would have tried it, had I known." Rick teased, clearly trying to make Michonne as uncomfortable as possible. She wasn't having it, but Carl suddenly had the urge to get out of there.
"Wait. What? You've never had Nutella?" She asked, incredulously. "I don't understand. How are we even friends?"
"Wow, clearly I've been missing out."
"Oh, I am making it my mission to find you a jar, and believe me, WHEN I do, you will owe me big time."
"And you're going to save it just for "me", huh?", Rick asked, using air quotes. "Stash it in our...uh, this house for safe keeping, right?"
Michonne feigned indignation. "What are you implying, Grimes?"
Before his father could answer, Carl interjected. "Hey, Dad, can I go now?" he asked, feeling awkward with the direction this conversation was headed. "I promised Enid I would hang with her before my PT."
"Yeah, just make sure you take it easy, ok? You still have a ways to go before-"
"Yeah, I know, Dad," snapped Carl, as he stood up, grabbed his bag, and made his way to the door. Regretting his short-tempered response, he turned back around and unconvincingly stated, "I'm fine," before leaving.
Michonne and Rick exchanged a knowing look, a mix of concern and sympathy silently conveyed between them. Last night after dinner, while on their "hot date" on the couch, they had discussed Carl's moodiness. They both acknowledged that he needed support and love, both of which he was receiving in spades, but also some time and space.
They both glanced back towards the door and sighed.
"I hope he's ok," said Rick, knowing that he wasn't.
"He will be," assured Michonne. "We'll make sure of it."
The sound of giggling brought them back to the levity of their previous discussion as they both noticed Judith reaching for the crumb-filled container.
"I think we found the cookie thief," joked Michonne as she handed a crumb to the little girl.
Rick cocked his head to the side; a wide, sarcastic grin forming on his handsome face. Without taking his eyes off Michonne he quipped, "Yeah, I think we have."
