Rise Up
Late Sunday morning
City Hall filled with deputies in full dress uniform with their families. The mayor delivered the Oath of Office to the Deputy Trainee who responded in the affirmative, "I, Rosita Espinosa, vow to protect and serve the citizens of Kings' County and uphold the rule of law."
"Congratulations," the mayor shook her hand followed by Captain Morgan and Training Officer Grimes. The crowd stood and cheered enthusiastically.
Hours later the entire crowd scattered among tables enjoys the celebratory energy on the patio at the Bistro. "How does it feel Deputy Espinosa?" Michonne asks.
"Surreal…I do not want to let them down," Rosita confesses.
"You rock…I feel safer with you on the streets," Maggie boosts her friend.
"Thanks Mija…I need to thank Grimes and Dixon…early graduation would not have happened without them," she glances over to where the men are enjoying a laugh.
"I cannot believe Walsh did not show. This is chicken shit of heaping proportions. She kicks ass. How do you not support your brothers and sisters in arms," Abe continues to rant.
"Maybe he couldn't show," Rick introduces. Abe and Daryl turn and stare. "There were no open positions in the past two years. Reynolds is one year away from retirement. Now we have early graduation," he builds a case.
"Hmm…he was dragging on evidence processing…it did not seem like much at the time," Abe ponders.
"I did not want to believe it but he was slow walking all my back up calls," Rick confirms.
"How did I miss this?" Daryl asks in confusion.
"FBI," Rick and Abe respond in unison.
They jolt from their depressing mood when loud cheers erupt, "Welcome our hero…yeah Judith," the crowd shouts.
Denise picked up Judith from her foster home. The young girl sat on the front steps waiting. Denise observed her new little friend: ponytail, pink polo shirt and worn jeans and dingy, black Converse. "You ready to go?" she calls from the car's open passenger window.
"Yeah," Judy runs to the car door and hops inside.
They reach the Bistro and Judith is greeted with cheers and bright smiles. She blushes but can barely maintain eye contact. Denise guides her through the crowd, "Judy, this is Sasha Williams and she wanted to meet you," she introduces.
"Hello Judith…I had to thank you personally…because you are so brave Officer Dixon is safe and that means a lot to my family," she offers sincerely.
"You are welcome," she mumbles.
"I have a…actually a lot of gifts for you…is that okay?"
Judy looks up in shock. Sasha holds up a red backpack. "I heard red is your favorite color. I bought every school supply I could remember, but if I missed something let me know," Sasha coaxes, "My mom and I got some other things…can we look at them together to see what you like?"
She nods slowly. Is this really happening? Sasha retrieves a black canvas Converse duffle bag emblazoned with a red logo. They sort through leggings, catch phrase and graphic t-shirts, hoodies, socks, sports bras, underwear, hair and bath products. Judy starts to cry, "I am going to look like all the other girls…I won't have to change in the bathroom during PE anymore," her small shoulders shake from her sobs.
Tears fill Sasha's eyes. Daryl was right. "Come here," Sasha stands and pulls her into a hug, "You are going to look better," she laughs through tears.
Sunday afternoon
Broderick, Josh, Noah and Carl are gaming online. The later harass Carl. "Seriously, a heads up would have been nice...Yeah, a text or a brocade signal," he cuts them off sharply.
"Since when do we have those kinds of conversations? Just handle your business," he states in exasperation.
"Do you realize how high you set the bar?" Broderick suggests.
"Can you leave Sophia out of it?" Josh pushes.
"Dude, you need to fall back," Noah warns.
Carl snaps, "Sophia is my cousin…I will do what I want when I want with my family…is that clear," he reprimands.
"Got it," Josh retorts.
Carl inhales deeply, "My Uncle Rick does stuff for Michonne all the time…Aaron gets treats from his boyfriend in the middle of day and it makes each of them smile. All I am saying is pay attention…give them time…that is all I did-man up," he attempts to explain.
"Fine…you're right," they acquiesce. The mood and conversation returns to normal when Carl's phone signals a message from Justice, "Pause," he interjects. He retrieves his device and opens the video. What a man…what a mighty good man…plays and Justice's feet with red painted toes decorated in strapped gold heels dance to the music. She found her surprise. His private moment is broken by shouts in his headset. "Bruh…Shoes…We're fucked!"
Shane's phone rings and the caller id signals: Kings' County Medical Center. "Hello," he answers with apprehension.
"Mr. Walsh will you accept a call from Lori?" the female professional voice requests.
"Sure," he replies cautiously. Is she hurt? Was there an accident? Am I the only one she called?
"Shane," her voice is distant and troubled.
"Lori, what is wrong? Are you hurt?" his heart races.
"I did bad things…I need help…would you come…you should say no, but," he does not let her finish.
"I am on my way…we will fix it-okay?" he re-assures.
Lori weeps, "You're the guy…thank you. I am going to get it right this time," she sniffles in relief.
Shane rushes through the house gathering his things with a small smile pulling at his lips.
"Mom, can I ask you something," Justice enters her mother's large bathroom to return her nail polish.
Penelope draped in a black silk robe sits on the edge of her large tub painting her toes, "Go for it," she does not look up.
"Um…you always talk about dressing from the inside out…you have a lingerie chest filled with silk, lace and Lord know what else…your bra and pantie game is 'top shelf'-but you do not or won't date…I don't get it?" her voice is soft.
Goddess, send me strength and the words. Dating-ouch…emotional walls. She pauses. "My sexuality exists with or without a man. You are starting your journey and I am sure Carl presents new feelings and choices; but what your body can do…what you want or like is about how you feel about the body you have to live in for the rest of your life," she slowly raises her head and looks at the young woman who use to be her little girl.
Justice continues to stare at the tile floor, "We have boundaries…but it all feels so intense," she admits.
"Boundaries are good…intensity can be amazing. Do not lose yourself or forget you value-okay?"
"I won't-thanks," she exhales.
"Was that as rough for you as it was for me," Penelope confesses.
"Worse," she laughs, "By the way…Dean Hamilton likes your ass as well as other parts," she teases.
"And Carl likes yours…now get out of my bathroom," she joins her daughter's laughter.
Mike and Jessie exit the main seating area, "Is that the Sheriff's Department?" Mike inquires.
"Oh, they are having a celebration…did you want to stop speak with your friends? I don't mind," she encourages. This is working out.
"Will the interaction be awkward for you?" he asks. What game is she playing?
"No, neither relationship was more than casual," she exaggerates.
Mike enters the patio with Jessie in tow and greets Captain Morgan, "I wanted to say hello. May I ask what you are celebrating?" he smiles warmly with a practiced performance.
"PD Owen, nice to see you again," he returns the greeting, "A new deputy was sworn in-not that we need much a reason to come together," he chuckles.
"Would it be a problem if I offer congratulations?" he charms.
"Please," he turns and points toward the boisterous crowd, "Deputy Espinosa."
"Thank you, let me introduce my lunch companion-Jessie," he gestures to his right.
She shakes her hand vigorously, "So nice to meet you Captain."
"Nice to meet you young lady," he returns the handshake. She is really eager.
Mike scans the crowd looking for Michonne and quickly loses track of Jessie. I have to spin this situation before things gets more out of control. "Deputy Espinosa, on behalf of the Public Defender's office congratulations," he approaches.
"Thanks," she replies giving him a once over with her eyes and quickly turns back to her conversation with Denise and Glenn.
Mike takes the hint and starts toward the exit remembering to look for Jessie when he spots Michonne. Her face is turned up to the sun. Her skin shimmers against a crisp yellow A-lined halter dress with mini-pleats. Her curled locs bounce along her shoulders. "Michonne, may I have a moment to clear the air," he stops speaking when she spins to face him. Her eyes scream murder.
Michonne steps back, "You lowdown motherfucker…haul your bitch-ass out of here," she hisses through clenched teeth.
He steps forward, "Hear me out…that woman is unstable," he is cut off by the voice of death behind him.
"You must be slow…I told you not to get strike three…you are fucking with the wrong people. I will knock your teeth so far down your throat you will be lucky if you only choke…I will pull your asshole out. Step away from my fiancé and leave-quickly," Rick's head tilts and nods with each statement; his eyes squint and his large hands twitch.
Michonne rushes around Mike to stand behind Rick. She grips him across his chest deliberately displaying her engagement ring.
Mike observes their physical connection; the large ring on her hand; and replays her harsh words, and his deadly threat in his head. I have no cards left to play. This will only end in physical harm. He opens his mouth to speak just as Jessie reappears, "There you are…I do not know how we got separated?" her voice is elevated with excitement.
He looks away from the united front on display, "Are you ready to finish our afternoon?" he improvises to save face.
"Of course," she responds in surprise. Jessie barely glances at the couple before Mike escorts her away.
Michonne places her hands on Rick's shoulders and turns him towards her. "Rick, I am so proud of you…we are lucky to have you," she hugs with all the force of her heart.
His chest heaves as he exhales waves of rage, "Your love is a mighty force," he offers as explanation. I have too much to lose to make stupid, short-sighted decisions.
"Ditto," she smiles brightly at him.