Carpenter, Chef, Chauffeur and a Cop

The Chauffeur

At the moment, I was as comfortable as I could be given the circumstances. The young Dr. Sinclair had pity on me and gave me a lift on his way home because I had just spent about three hours in the emergency room.

My case was not deemed serious enough to warrant quick service because all my bodily fluids remained inside of me. No bleeding or puking, ergo not serious enough nor dying, so I sat there in pain. Finally, after the x-rays of my knee revealed nothing was broken, it was just a soft tissue sprain and given a pair of crutches a prescription for Tylenol 3 with Codeine and instructions to rest, ice, compress, and elevate my leg. Yeah, me!

Apparently, I was his last patient of the day and Sugar Hill Road just happens to be on his way home, though I had my doubts about that one. The good doctor was rather handsome with his caramel coloured skin, chestnut coloured hair in a high top fade. He had ice blue eyes and a roman nose. His face sported scruff with a low cheek line and thin sideburns, a moustache, and his chin was shaved ever so slightly towards the tip to give him a cleaner look. His bone structure was exquisite. He was approximately five feet, seven inches tall with an athletic build… a very nice catch for someone, but I wasn't looking for a boyfriend because things in that department were a little complicated at the moment.

For the time being, however, Dr. Carl Sinclair was comfortable playing the role of doctor, but it was obvious he was interested in more because he was constantly smiling at me. After helping me to the sofa, adjusting the throw pillows, and propping my leg up onto the coffee table, he dispensed my medication and passed me a glass of water; he then left with a promise of popping by to check on me on his way to work the next day.

Thirty minutes later, I was starting to feel some relief from the medication. I was exhausted. My eyelids were heavy, so I wasn't going to fight it even though it was fairly early given the sun had just set.

The phone mounted on the kitchen wall began screeching... ring, ring, ring, ring.

"Fuck," it wasn't like I could even think about it, the throbbing in my knee had finally subsided and I didn't plan on moving.

Suddenly, Rick came through the front door about a minute after the shrill noise began and went directly to answer the phone.

At that moment, I thought the fates had heard me willing the damn thing to stop ringing, but in retrospect, I wished he had arrived at least ten minutes later. But who was I kidding anyway? My mother would've just kept calling until such time the infernal contraption was answered because she couldn't reach me on my cellphone which was currently at the bottom of a hillside.

I mentally chided myself for giving her the number… his number, but in all fairness, it was the most feasible way to reach me especially if the weather was bad. I knew my folks were monitoring the weather regularly too. They were older and they worried about me taking off the way I did, so I sucked it up… it was a fair enough trade considering what I recently cost them.

"Hello," he said in that lazy southern drawl. It's been almost three weeks since we've been roomies and I still can't get over the cadence of his voice.

"What number were you calling, ma'am?"

Oh shit! It was my mother. It was as bad as I thought.

"No...no, you've got the right number, ma'am. I presume you're Mrs. Jones, which means you're looking for Michonne, right?"

"The name's, Rick Grimes, ma'am… a friend of Michonne's." He turned towards me for the first time taking in my reclined form with my bandaged knee and the nearby crutches with raised brows with a what the fuck look on his face.

"Yes, ma'am. I was born in a lil town in Kentucky called King County, but eventually we moved to Atlanta where I grew up," he replied to the inquisitor whilst glancing over his shoulder from time to time. He knew I was listening and I did so shamelessly finally getting to know something more about the man of so few words.

The beauty of the wall-mounted device is that he was trapped there and my mother was getting the skinny on him from thousands of miles away. I mean how's that even possible, like for real. The man who kept his personal life so tightly guarded from the stranger he took in was now opening up to a stranger over the phone, someone he's never even laid eyes on. Thank heavens for silver linings, I thought, but I couldn't help but notice even though he was engaging my mother, he still managed to say very little about himself. Instead, my mother the gossip was filling him in on my life.

"Law school, you don't say?" He looked back at me with a very puzzled look on his face and I swore, the moment I got me a new phone and some privacy, I would give my mother a piece of my mind.

I could only hear Rick's side of the story, but I knew my mother and when she wasn't giving him the third degree she was spilling tea. Tea that was best kept in the family.

"Four months? I would tend to agree with you on that... it's an awfully long time to be gone."

I was mortified. The house number was meant to be used for emergencies only. However, for obvious reasons, I kinda neglected to tell my mother that I was now rooming with my former neighbour who just happens to be a man and one I didn't know very well. I kinda figured that I'd ease my way into it… but no, I had to lose my damn phone the day she decides to call me.

Oh God, no… she didn't.

My embarrassment caused me to sink even further down into the soft leather sofa in the living room, all the while wishing I could just melt into my surroundings. I could feel my skin heat up. Suddenly, I was once again a sophomore in high school when she tried hugging me on the first-day drop-off.

Really, mother? You don't even know him… your verbal diarrhea knows no bounds. What happened to what happens in Jones' manor stays in Jones' manor... Please don't tell him why...

Rick's casual glances and constant smirk tells me he was rather enjoying whatever my mother was saying to him.

Believe it or not, I really do love my mother, but she can be extra at times especially when she happens to stumble onto something juicy; she can be like a bloodhound. I suppose that's what happens when you have a researcher and gossip for a mother. She was always classifying shit even when not at work.

Currently, my mother was so caught up in getting the deets and spilling tea with Rick just Rick Grimes, not that she'd ever call him Rick mind you… naah; he had just been upgraded to his adult name, that being Richard of course, but I digress. My mother has completely forgotten the purpose of her call, but what annoyed me the most was that the two seemed to have become besties in less than ten minutes.

Yeah, ma was totally enthralled by his southern charm and she hadn't even laid eyes on him… this was a fine complicated mess.

"Marianne, you're welcome to stay here anytime. We've got plenty of room. It was a pleasure speaking with you… Not to worry… call anytime… anytime at all."

What the fuck just happened? No… not only was he now on a first name basis with my mother… he just invited her to come down here. Damn it!… Now I really wished I had gotten off my arse and hobbled to the kitchen to answer that damn call.

"Michonne Alexandria Jones, it's for you, dear!" He announces with a crooked smile while moving the coffee table to the side and passing me my crutches. "After, I really would like to hear about your day."

I groaned at the sound of my baptismal name floating from his lips with such ease and seeing his eyes twinkle the way they did. I could feel my girlish island crush dying a slow painful death only to be rapidly replaced by a cool indifference towards him.

How dare he? Did I pry into his life like that? I'm sure Eunice will be happy to know that I will be moving out real soon. She won't have to worry about me anymore.

"I'll grab a shower, so you can have some privacy to talk to Marianne. I'll fix us something to eat after that, okay?"

I ignored him and pushed forward and began the long mile to the phone.

"Hi, Ma!"

"Don't you hi, Ma, me. I've been trying to reach you for hours child. Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry, Ma, but I lost my phone today. It went over the hillside when I fell and hurt myself. After that, I spent several hours at the hospital."

"Oh dear god. Are you okay, Michonne?" I could hear her inhale deeply on the other end of the line.

"Yes, Ma, I'll be fine… nothing's broken but I'll have to use crutches for a little while. I'll get a new phone tomorrow and will text you my new number." I could hear her breathe again, so I relaxed.

"You gave me quite a scare. We agreed that you would check in at least once a week, Michonne. It's been two weeks today since you last did so; your sister checked your Instagram and she tells me that you haven't updated since the storm."

"I know, Ma. I'm sorry. We were busy helping out the folks who were affected by the last storm. It's just been very long days and short nights. I was exhausted."

"I understand, dear, but please be more thoughtful, will you? Your father said if we couldn't reach you today, we would have to contact the local authorities."

"I'm fine, Ma… truly, I am."

"Good! Now, about that man, the one whose photo you posted on that site. Who is he and is he the reason why you left poor Michael at the altar four months ago?"

I was so going to kill Sasha. My mother knew nothing about Instagram, I neglected to update my public account, but I did post a few pics of the mysterious carpenter and resident chef on my private account. Obviously, Sasha thought it was funny to show the photos to our mother.

"No, Ma… he's not." I answered not wanting to be overheard just in case my mother hadn't already filled him in on that part of my life.

"Who is he to you, Michonne?"

"He was my neighbour, but the storm damaged the place where I was staying, so, he's now my current landlord, Ma."

"That's Richard?"

"Yes, Ma, that's Rick."

"Well, isn't he a handsome devil? I wasn't expectin' someone so handsome to go with that voice of his. His gray hair makes him distinguished, don't you think? A little older than Michael, but then..."

Oh my god, my mother had fallen under his spell. This was so inappropriate. Please don't say you're coming here. I needed to get off the phone… better yet off this damn island... I just couldn't anymore.

"Ma, I really need to get off my feet and relax. I'll call soon, I promise. I love you and tell dad I love him too."

"Okay, dear. Please take care of yourself and don't be so damn stubborn. Love you too."

What the hell did she mean by that?

Waking up to someone pounding on the door seems to be a habit around these parts. I was still groggy with sleep having taken an extra pill during the night. I was due for another because my leg was killing me.

Thankfully, Rick went to answer the door, but now he was knocking on mine.

"Are you decent?" he asked sounding somewhat annoyed.

I looked myself over wondering what he wanted. I was still in my pj's which translated to a tank top and short cotton shorts. I usually go without a bra, but after he saw me practically naked a week ago when I was using the shower in the backyard, I decided to be more conservative whenever he was around because things got kinda weird between us. He wouldn't even look me in the eye for several days after. We had just gotten back to some semblance of our roommate arrangement, so I thought it best to put on a bra and my robe first before going into the common area.

"Give me five minutes."

Meanwhile in the living room…

"So, doc, what brings you by?" I asked the frat boy standing in my living room.

"Mr. Grimes, I'm keeping my promise to my patient. I told her I'd check in on her on my way to work. If things are okay that's great, but if they aren't I could give her lift to the hospital and well run more tests," he added in a rather condescending manner.

"Since when do you make house calls, doc?"

Rick words were laced with contempt, but why?

"I generally don't, but my patient is on my way to and from the hospital."

"Well, if Michonne needs to get anywhere and that includes the hospital I'll bring her myself; you needn't go out of your way, doc."

"I dropped her off here yesterday. I guess she forgot to tell you this or the fact that I would be checking up on her this morning?"

This was bad, Dr. Carl was actually trying to rile Rick up not that he had to try very hard either.

I cleared my throat as I entered the room to find the two cocks sizing one another up and displaying a readiness to claim their prize.

Isn't it funny how neither of them asked what I wanted?

Immediately, they both forgot their pettiness towards the other and rushed to either side of me to help me get comfortable.

Rick was faster, of course, removing the crutch from under my right arm sliding his hand behind my body and allowing my arm to fall around his neck, he then pulled me closer to him effectively leaving the good doctor to fluff and place the pillows. I couldn't even enjoy the moment, knowing my island crush wasn't completely one-sided because the throbbing in my leg robbed me of that.

I bumped my knee as I positioned myself on the sofa. ''Ouch!"

"Get her some water," the doctor barked his revenge while placing pills in the palm of my hand and proceeds to undo the bandage and examine my knee.

"Thank you," I said to Rick as I took the glass of water he offered and gulped it down chasing the pills I plopped into my mouth. "Shit… that hurts a lot!" I added as the doctor's fingers methodically examined my knee, which was now swollen three times its actual size.

"It's worse than I thought. You will have to go to St. John's to see an Orthopedic Surgeon, but you'll have to do it today."

"Doc, people wait months before they get an appointment like that," Rick advised.

"Well, it's a good thing that I happen to know people, isn't?… Just let me make a call. You should pack for a few days. I'll rearrange my shifts and take you there myself, Michonne."

"Wherever Michonne goes, I go too."

"Suit yourself, but you're paying for your own accommodations."

"STOP IT!"

What the hell was it with these two, anyway? Don't I have a say in this?

"Dr. Sinclair, please make the call, but I'll be staying in a hotel. Thanks."

"As you wish, Michonne," Dr. Sinclair replied and stepped outside to make the call.

"Rick, thank you for what you said earlier, but you shouldn't feel obligated to go with me."

"I don't feel obligated, Michonne. I want to do this..." He stops suddenly as if not sure he should continue at all.

"But?" I asked prodding him along.

He hung his head low and turned slightly away from me before speaking, "Why didn't you call me yesterday?" He asked unable to completely disguise the hurt in his voice which reflected back at me with sad eyes.

I looked at him as if he had two heads. Does a person even know another's phone number anymore? Yes, I had his number in my phone which was currently at the bottom of a ravine. I don't even know my own parents' number by heart.

"I would have, but when I fell my phone went over the hillside… I'm sorry. Scott, the guide was supposed to call you, but I was in so much pain I don't know what happened. When you didn't turn up at the hospital I figured he forgot."

I could see relief registering throughout his body as he raised his head and his eyes met mine once more.

He was jealous and I'm doing a three-legged dance in my head. Yeah, Rick just Rick Grimes… you like me! God, I'm being so childish right now... I'll just blame it on the drugs.

"I was at the phone booth trying to call a taxi when Dr. Sinclair saw me and offered to drive me home."

"So, we're good?"

"Well, about that… your hijacking of my mother's call no… we're not even yet."

"Oh come on, Michonne Alexandria Jones… we've got to get you packed … you have a doctor to see 'bout that leg of yours."

"Please don't call me that. My parents call me that… and when they do it was never good."

"So, you've been Island hopping for close to four months, eh?"

I really need to divorce my mother… no wonder he wasn't saying much about himself. Why should he when he was getting the skinny on me.

"Michonne Jones? the nurse called out waiting for the lucky person to show herself.

I stood up and so did Rick. "Wait, you're not staying with our stuff?" I asked not understanding why he would want to go into the consultation with me.

"No!" The sudden shutdown was unexpected.

"Very well then, grab my camera bag and come." I was just too tired and drugged up to fight with him, so he did as I asked and we followed the nurse down the hall.

Shortly after we were shown to the examination room, a tall attractive dark-skin Black man came rushing in fighting his way into his doctor's coat to cover his grey polo shirt which matched his grey and navy plaid golfing pants. His black hair sprinkled with white was closely cropped to his skull. His dark brown eyes were framed by thick squared black-rimmed glasses, which were perched on the bridge of his wide nose. His oblong face was framed with a beard and moustache, the sideburns were dotted with white hair while the chin area was heavily saturated with a patch of white hair.

Extending his hand to me, "Ms. Jones, I'm Dr. Negan Walker," he said with a British accent and a wide smile after his eyes raked over my body.

A genuine hiss could be heard to my right. Only then did he acknowledge Rick's presence. "And you are?"

"Rick Grimes," he added pumping Dr. Walker's hand once more and squeezing it for emphasis as I watched his bicep flex then he released it.

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again… another pissing match.

I used the back of my hand to cover my cough, "Pardon me. Umm… Dr. Walker, thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

"You're a lucky lady. I can see why my son's so smitten by you."

"Your son?"

"Yes, Carl's my son. You don't think I'd bail on my tee time for just anyone, do you?"

"Dr. Sinclair?"

"What can I say, the kidz a hardass… goes by his mother's name mostly to take the piss out of me."

I was shocked by the revelation.

"Anyway, I wasn't 'bout to let the kid be sued for malpractice before his career begins. Let's have a look at this leg of yours, shall we?"

…

When all was said and done, I ended up with a temporary cast from mid-thigh to mid-calf having torn the ligaments in my knee. We were staying overnight and I would have to return once my prosthetic was ready.

…

Later that night...

"Thank you again for accompanying me, Rick," I said as he set his fork and knife across his plate signalling he was done eating.

"It's nothing…. Really."

"Please don't do that…" I hated this part, whenever it was just the two of us… there was this wall between us, but his earlier actions contradicted what he was projecting at the moment. I was getting mixed signals from him.

"Do what exactly?"

"This… pretending that you're responsible for me… that what you're doing is normal for someone to do for a person you hardly know."

"Michonne, I told you… I want to help you."

"Why do you want to chauffeur me around? What is it you're not telling me? Why did you behave the way you did this morning?"

Resigned, he took his napkin and wiped his pink lips. "You've been down here for four months, in that time, three single young women travelling alone literally vanished into thin air. Over the past eighteen months, twelve women have disappeared…."

He had been watching me the whole time. That morning, he thought I was missing after the storm.

Of course, why didn't I see it before? He's a cop!

"Are you a cop?"