Michonne was getting pissed with Rick and his obsession, as she saw it, with dating and getting her in a dress. It was just fabric. It wasn't her fault Rick was having a damn breakdown and didn't notice how she was dressed at their party. It wasn't her fault that he was doing whatever with Jessie when she was dating Spencer. Then she laughed. She was having relationship problems. She hadn't had a relationship problem in four years.
Maggie looked up from the baby when she did. "What?"
"I'm having relationship problems. Who knew that those were still around when the apocalypse was going on?"
Maggie detached her daughter, Beth, from one breast and put her on her shoulder to burp her. "This about Rick?"
"Yes. It's like he's punishing me for what the hell ever he was doing with Jessie and what I was doing with Spencer. I should have just told him that all Spencer and I did was fuck."
Maggie raised her eyebrows. "No, that's not all we did. What he doesn't realize is that if I wanted to continue what I was doing with Spencer I would. I wouldn't be with him. Wouldn't be helping raise his kids. I wouldn't be sharing his bed for more than just sex."
"You should tell him."
"I'm going to. We can't change the past."
"No, but Rick, I think, wants to rewrite it."
"Me wearing a dress and stripper heels is his version. He's obsessed with seeing me in a dress. It's just fabric."
Maggie laughed. "Yeah, well, after Rick found out about you and Spencer he came over. Told me that he didn't want you doing runs with him. We talked about our party and how you looked."
Michonne snorted. "Purple's not my color," she repeated.
"Yeah it is. Every guy, except Pete and Rick, followed you with their eyes that night. Glenn sat with his mouth open for five minutes."
She laughed. "He did not."
Maggie grinned. "Not five, but three." Then she got serious. "He's scared, Michonne. He's pissed at himself for getting involved with Jessie. It cost Carl his eye. It could have cost him his life."
Michonne started to object. Maggie held up her hand. "You know it's true. If he would have gone to you, had you both handle Pete, he might not be dead. The herd would still have come through, but Pete might have been alive. Reg might still be alive. Jessie might be alive. Her boys might be alive. Carl would have his eye because Rick wouldn't have caused all that fuss. Ron wouldn't have seen them having sex and announcing it. Ron hated Rick. Ron hated his mom more for having sex with his dad's killer. It was easier to take it out on Carl."
Michonne fell back against the sofa in Maggie's living room. Maggie was right. Michonne was mad at Rick, too. She got up abruptly. "Thanks, Maggie."
Maggie shrugged. "You knew this already. You just needed someone to tell you that you knew this already."
"The next party, can I get out of watch? Just the once. After I talk with Rick I may not even need that."
"Sure. I can find someone else. Not sure when that's gonna happen. Daryl and Aaron have been gone for a week. Still haven't come back."
"Yeah. I have a feeling that most people have started to settle, if they can."
Maggie nodded her head in agreement.
Michonne kissed Beth on the head and went home. Rick wasn't there, he was working. When Carl came home she asked him if he would go to Carol's and stay with his sister until someone came to get him.
He paused. "Are you going to be home? After?"
She smiled. That kid did know her. "I'm not sure. If your dad and I can work through this, yes. If not, Carol may get a new roommate."
Carl nodded solemnly. "Just for the record?"
Michonne waited.
"I love my dad. I love you. He loves you. I don't blame him. Anymore. For my eye."
Michonne's eyes teared up and they hugged. "I'm glad."
