Deception (Chapter 7)
Michonne looks into kind eyes that match the shade of her own. She swallows nervously as this is the last thing she expected. She tries to concentrate on the comfort of Rick's voice.
"Michonne, this is my mother, Gladys."
"Nice to meet you," she relays as Gladys does the same.
The older woman looks from her son to Michonne, then back again. She gives a slight nod and a smile. "Well, I hope you're hungry. I was so happy to realize that Rick had come home. I swear I woke up in the middle of night and felt I needed to get over here and check things out. Good thing I did otherwise he was going to starve you wasn't he?"
Michonne laughs, already enjoying the light banter from Rick's mother. "He promised to go the store first thing."
"Come on in and sit down. I'll have things ready in just a moment."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Michonne offers.
Ms. Gladys looks at her with a smile. "Aren't you sweet? Now where are you from?"
"Right here in Georgia. Columbus actually," Michonne answers.
"A Georgia girl. I like that. You live in New York now?"
"Yes ma'am, part of the time."
Rick surmises that he really didn't think this through as he didn't want to tell his mom everything. The less she knew the better, so he told her he and Michonne were dating which wasn't a lie but of course his mom is going to think it's way more serious than it is with him bringing her home.
Michonne is thankful that she pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before coming downstairs. She can't help thinking that Rick should've warned her but maybe he couldn't. She also wonders exactly what he has told his mom about her.
"Now I don't mean to be too nosy but Rick told me you two met through his job. Is that right?"
"Yes, I uh….." Michonne trails off as Rick supplies, "We have some mutual friends."
"Well that's nice. It's just that you're the first girl I've met since his divorce and do you know how long that's been?" Gladys asks.
"Mom please….." Rick implores.
"Never mind. I'm just glad he's found someone."
Michonne looks to Rick, trying to hide her surprised pleasure. So he told his mom we're dating? Well that's kinda sorta the truth isn't it?
"Your father's working so the two of you will have to come over to the house for dinner tonight," Gladys informs. "He's going to be so happy to see you, son. I haven't said a word. I want him to be doubly surprised."
Rick wants to decline but knows that will only throw up a red flag so he agrees. He watches as his mother places loaded plates on the table and tells them to take a seat.
Michonne looks at the fluffy omelet covered with cheese and tomatoes just the way she likes it. She smiles up at Gladys. "This looks delicious."
The three of them sit down amicably and Rick distracts his mother from questioning them by asking her to fill him in on the latest happenings in their quaint town.
An hour later, she is preparing to leave and she gives strict instructions to be at her house by 6:30 for dinner. Rick assures her as he and Michonne wave goodbye.
The couple spends the remainder of the day watching TV and playing card games. Rick can't help wondering why he hasn't heard from Morgan or Shane or T-Dog or Daryl but surmises that no news might be good news. He looks across the table at the unabashed delight on Michonne's face and realizes he is happy to give her this reprieve for however long it lasts.
Six o'clock finds Michonne in the mirror in the guest bedroom, telling herself that the only dress she stuffed into her bag would have to do for tonight. Thank goodness she grabbed a pair of flats to complete her simple ensemble. She has only been there for a matter of hours and already likes it. She gives a soft chuckle, realizing she hasn't even been outside the house.
Rick had given her a rundown earlier of what he told his mother about them. They met through his job, they'd been dating for six months, and they were on their way to the west coast on a business trip. She can't help thinking that was pretty vague and Rick's mother looked like the type to dig for details. She inhales deeply and exhales slowly as she hopes she will be able to get through the dinner unscathed.
An hour later, she is most thankful that Rick's family likes to talk politics and they are doing just that. She contributes every now and again but doesn't mind that she isn't the hot topic. Obviously, Ms. Gladys had filled Arthur in on everything as he hadn't asked a lot of questions. They were in the middle of dessert when Arthur says, "So tell us about your folks Michonne. What do they do?"
She falters just a bit as the last thing she expected was to be asked about her parents. She returns her fork to her plate and clears her throat as she takes the time to dab her lips with her napkin. Rick can see it for what it was immediately….a stalling tactic. He gives her a thoughtful look before returning his gaze to his plate.
"They….um….well, my father is a pastor and my mother is just a pastor's wife," she answers.
"Oh a preacher's daughter. I take it you had an interesting upbringing," Arthur provides jokingly.
Michonne smiles, unsure of what he means exactly. Most people assume that a preacher's child is an absolute angel or an absolute devil. There is hardly ever any middle ground which is where Michonne likes to think she falls. "I suppose it was interesting. My dad was a preacher's kid himself and he definitely inherited his father's ways of thinking."
"Well, I hope they weren't too hard on you." Gladys laughs as she returns to her dessert.
Michonne's eyes grow sadder than Rick has ever seen them, but she averts her gaze quickly and gives a slight laugh. He wishes he could ask more of her but realizes now is not the best time.
"Are you two going to Columbus to see your parents while you're here?" Arthur trudges on.
"That would be a good idea," Michonne agrees.
The remainder of the evening passes by pleasantly and later that night, Michonne finds herself seated with Rick on his sofa in his living room. They imbibe a couple of glasses of wine and she can tell he wants to ask her something but he is holding back. She finds that she wants to tell him everything. She doesn't care about being judged any more.
"I….I haven't spoken to my parents in years." She sighs heavily. "They don't care for the career path I've chosen. It's an…embarrassment to them. There's no way a preacher's daughter is supposed to be in movies that show her in provocative attire. I'm allowing the devil to rule me so until I'm willing to give all of that up, they don't want anything to do with me."
He waits until she looks up so he can see her eyes. As suspected, she is expecting him to judge her. "Well, they're wrong and they're missing out on something extremely awesome in your life."
"When we first met….what you said in the limo after that video shoot about me being a modern woman and all….you reminded me of my parents. I wanted to hate you but for some odd reason I cared about what you thought. I…didn't want you to think I was this loose, wild woman with a different man in her bed every night."
Rick scoffs as he realizes that's exactly what he thought but he knows better now. Since he's been working for her, there have been no wild parties, no guys hanging around, no dates…..well I probably wouldn't have allowed any of that any way. "I learned my lesson very quickly about that." They both laugh as Michonne did kind of put him in his place regarding that issue.
"Do you think I should see my parents while I'm here? I don't know when I'll return to Georgia."
"If that's what you want, we can arrange it. I just need to talk to Morgan and find out what his plans are. Maybe not tomorrow but the next day?" Rick inquires.
She gives a small nod. "Okay." She looks around curiously, wondering at the sense of contentment, normalcy. She hasn't felt this way in a long time and realizes it has everything to do with Rick. Would this be their lives if they were to actually settle down together? She brings her attention back to him and wonders if they will ever get a first date. Clarity arrives as she surmises that now is probably the only chance they will get.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Rick states.
She bites her bottom lip with uncertainty. "How do you feel about us going out on a date? A real date?"
He frowns just a bit. "A date? I don't know if that's a good idea."
"Rick, we've been here for a day or so and things have been quiet. We probably won't get another chance like this," she explains.
"Of course we will."
"When?"
"Well I can't answer that right now but we will."
"I know there's some place we could go. Please. It'll be fun." His silence tells her that he is thinking about it. "No one knows we're here. No one here knows me so it'll be fine. I know it will."
He looks over at her and smiles as he witnesses the excitement in her eyes. "Ok but I need to ask you."
She rears back and puts a hand on her hip. "You're going to make me wait on you to ask me? Well, that's…."
He interrupts quickly. "Michonne. Would you like to go out tomorrow night?"
She blushes and quells down the shiver his deep southern drawl evokes. "Yes."
"Well, it's a date then."
She agrees with a smile. "It's a date."
The next day, Michonne can't contain her excitement. They make breakfast together and she finds herself wishing it could be like this every day.
Rick is loving the look of happiness on her face. He shakes his head as he remembers their reality but determines to forget all of that for just once and enjoy this time with her. He will have to put in a call to Morgan tomorrow since it appears he won't be receiving one. Until then he is going to live in the moment and drink in her beauty every chance he gets.
Hours later, they are both taking extra care with their appearance as they prepare for their first official date. Rick is a bit apprehensive as he is not sure at all about where to take her. He waits patiently in the living area, trying his best to hide his nervousness.
Minutes later, Michonne descends the stairs wearing a short sleeved striped sweater and fitted jeans. He can't help taking her in slowly, allowing his eyes to rove from head to toe. He stops momentarily at her waist as a sliver of skin is revealed as she walks. He swallows hard and averts his eyes before his mind takes him elsewhere.
Michonne smiles as she appreciates him in a blue denim shirt that brings out his eyes and dark jeans that encase him very well. She never thought she'd be attracted to a man in cowboy boots but….damn he is pulling this off like no other. She takes a deep breath and continues to move until she is standing directly in front of him.
"You look….gorgeous…as always," he tells her.
"Thank you. You're looking quite handsome. I'm not used to seeing you dressed like this. It's either suit jackets or work out gear." She is not bashful as she eyes him with appreciation. "I like this."
Rick can only nod as he offers her his arm. "Shall we?"
They travel for a little over 30 minutes and Rick pulls into a gravel strewn parking area with a number of vehicles already parked. There is a huge neon sign flashing with the words "The Line".
Michonne looks over to Rick and he looks back. They both laugh.
"King County is small so I had to travel out a little further. I chose this place for the food. I heard their burgers are the best. At least I hope this is the right place."
"It doesn't matter. We're here and we're going to have a good time," she relays.
They walk inside and take it all in. The place is a nice size, the bar takes up one side of the building with booths forming a U around it. The other side consists of tables and chairs, a couple of pool tables in one corner and a jukebox in the other.
Michonne wonders if this is what some would call a honky tonk bar. She thinks she may be on to something with the mournful country song blasting throughout the place. A waitress informs them to sit where they please and she would be over to get their drink orders shortly.
Moments later, he is nursing a beer while she enjoys a mixed drink. She cringes as another country crooner belts out an upbeat song. She can only hope that is not all they will be subjected to for the night.
"So you've never been here before?" She asks.
"Nope. I guess I work too much to have much of a social life," he answers.
"Maybe you need to consider changing that. I'm telling you now. I will not appreciate being ignored."
"For some reason, I don't think I'd ever be able to ignore you."
She smiles. "So I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Am I really the only person you've brought home since your divorce? I mean, I know you didn't really have much of a choice but….you haven't dated anyone else?"
"Sure. I've dated. Just never anyone long enough or serious enough to warrant a meeting with the parents."
"I guess you can just pencil me in under extenuating circumstances, huh?"
"Well yeah but I'm kinda glad you met my parents. I'll be happy to meet yours too. You still want to do that right?" He asks cautiously.
"I do." She takes a sip from her drink, garnering up the courage to ask what she really wants to know. "What….why did you get divorced?"
"Isn't it bad form or something to talk about past relationships on a date?"
Michonne can't help it….she laughs at the uncomfortable expression on his face. Then realizes that he is probably right and she wouldn't know that because she hasn't dated anyone seriously. "It probably is but you won't tell me otherwise so I'm asking."
Rick sighs. He didn't want her to think of him as a failure but realizes that he really wants her to know. "She….didn't love me anymore." He watches as she sits back in her chair and processes that information. He stops her before she can reply. "It wasn't all on her though. I was away a lot. I took assignment after assignment and she finally got fed up. She started seeing someone else, got pregnant, divorced me and went on to live her life. Can't say I blame her. I wasn't a very good husband."
"Rick, I'm….sorry."
"Don't be. It was a long time ago." He looks into her eyes, waiting to see the judgment there, the accusation but it's not there. Instead, he finds sympathy and something that looks like longing. He shakes his head for just a moment, wondering at her expression. Could she still want me after finding out the truth?
Michonne perks up as she recognizes the beginning notes of one of her favorite songs. I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy…..She offers her hand to Rick. "Dance with me?"
"What? No…."
"Please," she begs as she stands up and pulls him with her.
He sighs but doesn't deny her, following her to the dance floor where only a few other couples are dancing.
"I love this song. Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden. Ever heard it?"
Rick shakes his head negatively.
Michonne only smiles as she pulls him into her arms. "Listen to the words. It's beautiful." She closes her eyes and promptly rests her head on his shoulder as they slowly sway to the music. Soon she is leaning back to stare into his gorgeous blue eyes as she mouths the words with deep emotion.
Rick is completely mesmerized. The words to the song are beautiful. He can only hope she could feel that way about him one day. He gives her a slight smile, enjoying the sight of her like this. He has never seen her this carefree, this happy. It makes him want to keep her this way forever. Could they live here…happily? Other thoughts quickly try to creep in but he doesn't allow it, choosing to concentrate on her instead.
The song ends all too soon and he was about to lead her back to their table when she detains him. Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You starts to play and he most definitely knows this song. They close the slight distance between them, encasing each other tightly as they move together.
She looks up at him with those enchanting brown eyes and before he knows it, he is leaning down and touching his lips to hers. Everything seems to fade away in that moment. There is only him, there is only her. He tilts his head, opening his mouth over hers as he slips his tongue inside. She welcomes him readily, stroking his tongue with her own. Her heart rate matches his as they stand suspended in time, relishing in their kiss, relishing in each other with a new level of intensity.
He kisses her one last time and stares at her like he never has before. Michonne is beyond nervous as she knows exactly what that look encompasses. He wants her and if she is truthful with herself, she wants him too. He takes her by the hand and leads her to their table where he leaves a couple of bills and they promptly exit The Line.
