Michonne came home without Rick. One of her dreads came undone from her high bun. She had only one shoe. She was distraught. I couldn't make out what was happening but she was demanding that I help her get the kids dressed, packed, and out of the house. Any other time if it was about leaving Mike I wouldn't have been able to pack fast enough. To leave Richard? To leave this house? I needed to know why. It had to be a good reason like, rape, molestation, battery of some sort, harming the children in any way... Might be other reasons out there but those four were pretty big on my list. Couldn't imagine anything since he didn't do drugs. Didn't even smoke. I need to know why? Motivate me to kick Richards ass and then leave.
"Michonne, I will not get my grandbabies all worked up. They will ask questions. What are you going to tell them about why you got us leaving in the middle of the night? To go where? No. If what ever it is, is so bad then you go. Figure out an arrangement and we will be ready."
My nerves were bad as I watched Michonne pack her bags and she had that determined look on her face that she was gong to fuck up our special arrangement. Richard just had a television mounted on the wall in the kitchen so I could follow along with the top chefs. He has done so much for us and the thought of hightailing it and running made no sense. I was the cook, the maid, the babysitter, organizer of sorts...to leave would mean I would be just Granny. I felt strongly against uprooting everyone. Mike was dead. Anything else could be worked out.
I heard the chime to the door. Richard was home. I left Michonne to her madness and went to see if I could get heads or tales from him on what happened. I opened the door and he was looking a mess, holding her other shoe.
"Richard, what happened?"
"Nothing but the biggest misunderstanding Granny Mabel. Where's Michonne?"
"Packing all her stuff."
"Shit."
"Momma, why we leaving? I don't want to leave. " Abigail had tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Does Mr. Rick know we are leaving?" Andre was wiping the sleep from his eyes.
I have witnessed Mike many times break those kids heart and I knew if Michonne had taken those kids out of the house it would have been un-repairable. Permanent damage. Scarred for life. These kids loved Richard. The whole scene had me in tears.
"Granny, I couldn't get Noah. He said he won't leave. He said he will wait for Mr. Rick to put him out..."
I was glad to see that Michonne stopped at the sight of Richard standing in the foyer. I was very grateful that he arrived in time to possibly stop Michonne if it was at all possible. I made a mental note to have a discussion with Noah about defying his Aunt when everything smoothed over. I was praying that everything smoothed over.
"Abigail...Andre go back to your room. Right now. No one is going any where."
The authority in Richards voice made my heart just sing, 'Glory be to Jesus, this man has spoken'.