"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

Rick entered the bustling cafeteria trying to scope out Michonne, who was able to sign out of her phones, five minutes before him. A few faces he had recognized as he walked past, acknowledging with a half-smile or a nod. He wasn't aware he had an effect on some of the women who smiled back and waved shyly at him. He wasn't interested in getting to know anyone until recent and it skewed his vision. He had tunnel vision.

Michonne was surprised to see Rick standing next to her table, where she sat alone with her book and notepaper. She was digging around in her purse for a pen to write.

"Would you like some company?"

Michonne looked from Rick to the table where a few women sat that she felt he would be more welcomed. What was it about her made her seem the better choice she wondered to herself.

"If you want."

Rick pulled out the chair and placed his subway sandwich on the table. "What are you reading?"

Michonne turned her closed book upside down so he couldn't see the title. She was slightly embarrassed by his interest.

"Is it a secret?"

"It's a book on manifesting."

"How is it working out for you?"

"Well," Michonne was hesitant to proceed.

"Go on." Rick nudged.

"I'm at the starting line."

"Good place to begin." Rick began unwrapping his sandwich.

"I have to create a list of what I'm looking for in a mate. I wrote the word mate but I have since put a line through it and replaced it with Friend."

Rick silently reached the other half of his sandwich to Michonne. An offer.

"What kind is it? I don't like cold tuna."

"I don't like cold tuna, either. I prefer tuna melts. American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, salt, and pepper a bit of honey mustard and ranch on toasted wheat."

Michonne was cautious about accepting. She wasn't sure why she allowed him to buy her so many cookies from the bakery they had visited two days ago. For Michonne she had so much fun. It was the most fun she had ever had in choosing fresh baked cookies with someone who didn't hesitate to foot the bill.

"If you don't like it, I will gladly eat the rest. I have some chips too. An extra bag if you want. And a pickle."

Michonne accepted just half of his sandwich.

Rick waited for her to bite into it and to give him an honest critique.

"Yum!" Michonne smiled in favor of the flavors. She considered it very tasty.

Rick smiled back, "Good. Now tell me more about this manifesting."

Michonne swallowed, accepting a napkin from Rick to wipe the corners of her mouth.

"Thank you. I'm having a hard time with the word mate. The book I am reading is very good at guiding the reader to consider what qualities make someone good for you. I never had a good mate, but I know what I want in a friend. I believe a good friend could be a mate, but first, I must manifest a friend."

Rick swallowed, "How's that working out?"

"Well, I've just started my list. My broken heart had to refresh my memory, though."

"Like what? How?"

"I'm only going to give you one. I suggest you create a list for yourself. Here's a piece of paper and I have found an extra pen. Stop trying to peek at mine. There's absolutely no cheating."

"No cheating?"

"My heart agrees! Let me write that down. No cheating equals the qualities of Loyal, thoughtful, considerate, kind..." Michonne noticed Rick's amusement and it did not deter her from being open and reprimanding him, "No cheating! Make your own list. I am going to quietly write down mine since you have inspired me."

Rick chuckled at the idea he was somehow of assistance. There was something very quirky and thoroughly entertaining about Michonne. Their adventure at the bakery a day ago was hands down fun—the most fun he had ever had in a long time. He didn't mind at all buying her cookies his simple offer thrilled her.

Michonne glanced over at Rick, "Why aren't you writing?"

"Because I know what I want. I know what I'm looking for in someone. I don't have to write anything down. I am pretty confident I will know I met the one by not only looking at her but also spending time together."

Michonne paused to glean additional meaning or a word for what he should be manifesting. Instead, she was quite intrigued by his male smugness. It was easy for a man to find a willing woman, but for a woman; it was easy to have one's heart ripped out and trampled upon by thousands of safari elephants. She had even told him that in so many words.

"Elephants?"

"Painful." Michonne's eyes were filled with unshed tears.

"Have you ever been on a safari?" Rick wanted to change what had to be a painful subject shared in a Highly Inappropriate time and place.

"No, but I am quite sure the Rolex watch you are wearing has probably had the time there. I, on the other hand," Michonne twisted her wrist to show off her lesser value citizen watch, "have only the time for the local zoo."

Rick was now aware to possibly tone it down if he was trying to be incognito like his father. He was always amazed at how astute Michonne was to particular nuances in his behavior and dress. "I've never been to the zoo here in Atlanta."

"Well, you are missing out on the four elephants they have, a tiger named Shiva, and a couple of orangutangs."

"Sounds like a pathetic zoo if those are the only animals they have."

"Oh, there's more."

"Good. When was the last time you've gone?"

"Four years ago."

"Would you like to go after work today? I have two tickets in my glove box."

"Sure."

"We can go in my car. We can leave your car here, and I'll bring you back here for it. If you don't mind?"

"I don't mind, Rick."

Michonne was relieved because her car wasn't going to make it to the zoo. It barely got her to work that day. The last thing she needed was to push her luck. She was already manifesting repair money through overtime work that she refused to endure. Manifesting was proving to be a task that she wasn't going to give up on, not yet.

"Good. Now, tell me more about manifesting."

"Why? According to you, you know what you want."

"I'm curious to know what you want."

"I told you. A friend."

A/N: 06/29/2020 corrections made.

Original Author's note below.

A/N: I am checking for errors. I do apologize for how long each chapter is taking. Also, I want to thank every single one of you on Tumblr!