The Come-Up and The Comeuppance

I saw this site while in quarantine and I Loved it. I have read so many great stories that I decided to try to write one for myself. The whole story is basically complete and plan to update one or two chapters every week. There are 15 chapters total as of right now. I do not own any of these characters. I love constructive criticism, so please review. Hope you enjoy my first fic.

Chapter 1

Present Day-Thursday Mid-Morning-Memorial Day Weekend

"Come on Gertie , just play along with me" said Ella Grimes to one of her closest friends, "you know she goes into your cafe before her grocery clerk shift starts to drink your famous coffee…just sit her where it looks like I didn't not know she was even in there!

"Ohh, Ella, you are petty and full of drama, but I love it! I will do it. What are you up to?" asked Gertie

"Just play along will ya, you'll see!" said Ella

Ella Grimes is many things and being petty is one of her specialties. After the disastrous marriage of her son to that traitorous woman he called a wife ended, her pettiness spiked to an all-time high. Every chance she could get to praise and raise up her son Rick and put down, she who shall not be named (Whori or otherwise known as the former Lori Grimes) she took it. Lori had been having an affair with Rick's best friend since elementary school and was caught in the act when Rick came home after he got a tip from an unexpected source. Darryl Dixon was a local mechanic and although friendly with Rick, they were not close friends. Darryl pretty much stayed to himself and out of other people's business. But Darryl was honorable, and when he heard some of his customers talking about what was going on behind Rick's back, he was sickened that they, some Rick even called friends, would do that to him. One particular late morning, Darryl overheard and conversation between two of the deputies discussing how Shane had taken off, not because he was sick, but because he had a planned rendezvous with Rick's wife. One of the deputies even giggled. Darryl went straight to Rick.

3 1/2 years ago

"Hey Rick," Darryl addressed sympathetically

"Hey Darryl, what's up," Rick inquired wondering what the notorious loner could possibly want with him.

"Hey look, you know I ain't one to gossip and get in others peoples business, but I have been hearing people talking about you behind your back, some who even claim to be your friend, and I think that bullshit. Whether it is true or not, I just want to let you know what they been saying."

"Ok," Rick said now fully attuned to Darryl.

"They saying Shane is having an affair with your wife, for at least two months now…I heard two of your cop-workers saying Shane ain't out sick today, he took off to meet up with your wife at your house."

"What? Rick belted a little too roughly.

"Look man, I ain't saying it's true. I'm just saying they talkin, might want to make an unexpected stop at your house today."

Rick drove by his house that he and his family lived in for the last 12 years and all seemed quiet. Shane's car, or any car for that matter, except for Lori's, was not parked near the house. Rick shook his head and drove off, but after he turned the corner at the end of his street, he noticed Shane's car parked two blocks away. You could not miss the big gaudy red truck that Shane drove. With the extended cab and the oversized tires. It was too much, but it fit Shane's personality perfectly. Rick turned his cruiser around, parked two houses down from his own and quietly walked through the front door of his home.

The bottom floor was clear, so he quietly tip-toed up the steps and was stilled when halfway up, he heard moans and grunts. He continued up the steps and took his newly purchased, but still old-school and camera-ready flip phone out of his pocket and opened the door to his master bedroom. He stared and Lori and Shane, lips pursed as he contemplated the scene before him. His wife and his best friend fucking in his bed. Neither of them noticed he was standing there, until they heard the click of the camera. Rick took a picture of the two in his marital bed and simply said "for the divorce lawyers for when I get Carl, the house, the car and everything else. He heard Lori screaming for Shane to get off of her and then running, but Rick made it to the front door first and walked straight out of the house he lived in with his wife of 12 years.

Rick drove directly to Dixon's Mechanic Shop and gave Darryl and genuine pat on his back, told him thanks for the heads up and that he owed him one big time. Rick had a temper; everyone knew it and there were quite a few people who witnessed it first-hand when necessary. So, Rick was surprised that he just didn't care enough to get mad and cause a fight when he caught the two of them. He knew it was over between him and Lori for a while, he stayed for Carl, their 11-year-old son. He only married her because she got pregnant almost right after graduating high school. So, when he saw her in her particular position with Shane, he felt little to nothing. Actually, that is not true, he felt relief that he could finally get the balls to end that disaster of a marriage. What did anger him was Shane. His supposed best friend. He considered Shane a brother. He did not engage with Shane right then and there because he did not want Lori to think the fight was over her. Instead, after talking to Darryl, he got back in his cruiser, and called a friend of his in Atlanta so that he could get the best divorce lawyer possible.

"Hey Maggie, I hate to bother you right now, you sound busy?" Rick sad when heard a baby screaming at the top of his lungs in the background.

"Hey Rick, Nope, just finished giving a baby his round of shots. That's the life of a pediatrician for you, what do I owe the pleasure?"

Rick had known Maggie and her family since Maggie was a kid. Her family owned a farm on the outskirts of king county. Rick used to go out to the farm and sometimes earn some extra money helping Herschel plant the vegetables. They had some great conversations, and always received great advice from the farmer/lawman. Rick favorite memory was when he used to go out to the farm and ride and groom the horses. He always thought he could continue that tradition with Carl someday.

"Maggie, yeah, ummm do you know any really good divorce lawyers?"

"Finally! I could not stand that Lori, I have a good friend who is a high-powered corporate attorney, let me call her and see if she can recommend a good one. Can I give her your number?" Probed Maggie.

"Yes, oh, and I don't have much money, so it would have to be something maybe that I can afford," Rick cautioned wearily.

"No problem Rick, let me give her a call now and expect a call from her soon. Her name is Michonne Jackson"