"When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go."
H. Jackson Brown Jr.

XXXX

I hate sweeping."

"Well, it's your fault that I am mopping and you are sweeping Michonne. You don't know when to shut up. Bigmama moves us around the table. You still talk out of turn. Now we are in time out today for all your questions last night. It's a shame you have to be bedridden for rules to be followed."

"Doesn't matter! You always find your way outside my bedroom door. I know it's you and don't lie and say it is any one else. This is when you aren't bold enough to peek or knock."

"I am not peeking. Your door is wide enough open to see if you are inside. If it's not open how could it be considered peeking."

"What do you be wanting me for?"

"It's kind of weird when you miss supper."

"It's been two months and I can honestly say I don't like you. I don't like you one bit."

"Andre said you think I am handsome."

"Andre is handsome. Carl is handsome. I said I don't like you. Two different things. Why aren't you mopping? I swept that area over there."

"I am taking a break to to talk to you."

"Well, that is what got us here, me sweeping and you mopping. I think we should stop talking."

"You never say much about yourself at the table. You like telling stories but the stories never have anything to do with you or what you are going through or gone through. You are a mystery."

"No mystery, Mr. Grimes. You don't be listening because you are either staring or trying not to choke on your food."

"Rick-Call me Rick."

"Rick."

"Judith says you have a picture you showed them where you have different hair."

"I was showing your girls it doesn't matter what kind of hair we have we need to keep it clean. Oily is not a style or something to prefer. I use to have dreads. Years in the making and it just took two weeks of losing my hair to just cut them all out. My hair is finally growing in and I am happy about it. My point is or was, keep your hair clean because you don't know how long you will have it for, is all. These are the stories you talking about?"

"I can't imagine the dreads."

"Well my husband couldn't imagine me without them."

"You don't wear your ring?"

"But you wear yours? I have no idea what sense you trying to make, Mr. Grimes-Rick and Stop smiling at me."

"Why can't I smile at you?"

"Because when you smile at me you make me think there is something you like about me, when I don't like you."

"Are you trying to say, there is nothing that you like about me?"

"Well, I like your kids and that is about it."

"Why is it I am in the other room and I can hear voices but I don't hear broom sweeping nor water swishing in a bucket? I am in the kitchen and I don't hear nothing. Clean you two. Clean!"

"Do you think Bigmama can hear the swishing now? I hate mopping, Michonne."

"I hate sweeping but I am sweeping. Go over there now and mop that spot, Rick. Bigmama has ears like you just heard her say. She can hear things based on how the wood of the house reacts."

"We don't even wear shoes in the house."

"Don't matter to Bigmama. A clean house is a -"

"Clear mind. Now clean damn it. You two better be cleaning or I will come out this kitchen."

"Well, I hope this lesson of you sweeping will keep your mouth shut around the table. Know when to be quiet and stay quiet. Listening is a good ability, Michonne."

"The ability to not stare at people is just as good, Rick."

"But you were staring at me."

"Because you were staring at me."

"I was looking at you because you really don't think the table rules apply to you Michonne. The look I am giving you is sheer awe. We been at this for a couple of months now. If we don't know much about much we all know who is Big mama's favorite at the table."

"I am her Grandbaby. I am not her favorite."

"Nepotism."

"Mop, Rick. Now you have two spots to mop to my one I have left to sweep."

"Ask me any question that's burning your brain and then maybe we can stop prolonging story time at supper. I rather think about what to be grateful for when we are at the table."

"What happened to Andre? Please, and I will stay quiet."

"I found him first he was next to Isabelle. They were both lying on the floor. I heard the gunshot in the other room and don't know why I didn't give it no never mind. I just saw my babies laying there. Wet. Just laying there wet. Not moving. Lined up side by side. Judith screaming. She said Carl had to shoot Lori to stop. She was drowning the kids. I don't know. I just began breathing. Blowing air. Tapping chest. Blowing air. Tapping Chest. I couldn't just concentrate on one. I had to go to the other. Tipping the-"

"No more Rick. Tell me no more."

"Y'all ain't happy unless y'all have an overseer. I got the chicken roasting. We going to have roasted chicken and red potatoes but, never mind all that. Shit. Now the floors ain't cleaning themselves if you two are hugging each other, I am certain. When you two are through with all that consoling pick the damn broom up and get to swishing that mop on my damn floors. Finish up! I got some more that needs to be done and then you can rest. Now, Beth turn yourself right back a round and find another Top to put on. You working my nerve girl. Now go on with your fast self."