Worth It
Sunday evening
Daryl and Sasha drive Judy home, "Remember the burner phone belongs to the department if you are in trouble one of us will help," Daryl emphasizes.
Sasha piles on, "You can hide your duffel under the bed or in a closet plus it is easy to carry with your back pack."
"You are all so nice…I can still come by the station after school if I need to," she questions.
"Yes," Daryl is about to pull in front of the house when she stops him.
"I need to go around back…the porch light is on…thanks again," she exits the car with her duffel slung across her body and her backpack hanging from both shoulders. Judy runs between houses to climb through the window she left open.
Shane sits across from Lori in the Psych Ward visitor's room. He listens intently to her recent behavior with Rick and Michonne. "If I remain stable and agree to outpatient treatment I can go home Monday. I called because I want to start fresh…I realized in all this chaos I never gave us a real chance. I was taught to want what Rick had to offer. I never really thought for myself. There had to be a reason I could not resist you. I do not want to break up anything you are building with Jessie, but if there is a chance," she attempts to create an opening.
"I need to really think about this…I will pick you up, but that is all that I can promise," his voice is tentative.
"Thank you," she touches his hand on the table. I can still get a win.
Mike escorts Jessie to her front door plotting how he can make a new way forward. "Would you like to come in to talk or watch a movie," she offers.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea," he charms.
Mike sits on the couch scanning her space-self help books and aspiration magazines. She hands him a glass of white wine. "I had a nice time…I enjoyed meeting the officers and their families," she prattles.
"You enjoy events with a public profile?" he inquires.
"I have always been perky. I have not had a chance to use my personality to my advantage," she explains.
"Are you religious? Do you attend church?" he seeks information to develop a new strategy.
"Not since my childhood…is that important to you?" she attempts to clarify.
"The church is a big part of my life. My father leads a large church," he evades her actual question.
"I could begin going again," she smiles.
"You are eager and I bet you could be obedient…submit to me as head of the household if your needs are met," he probes. How bad does she want this?
She swallows thickly, "What do you mean? She fidgets.
"Tell me what you want and I will tell you what I need so we don't waste time if I am honest," he feels a small weight lift from him shoulders.
"I want to stay home, raise kids and lead the PTA…be a role model in the community," she explains.
"I need someone to put my goals first and indulge some sexual activities," he states. Is there enough freak in her to make this work?
Her eyes widen, "I am nervous…can you be specific," her voice shakes slightly.
"Do you own a vibrator or any sex toys?" he takes a risk.
"Yes, only a vibrator," she shifts.
"Would you like to show me how you use it…I like to watch sometimes," he introduces.
Jessie relaxes. Watching isn't all that weird. "Now?" the pitch of her voice rises.
"No, but soon…I will be in touch," he replies before standing to exit.
Jolene and Michonne sit at the kitchen table surrounding by cookbooks organizing the Wedding Planning Brunch. "So we are going with the seafood kabobs, grilled vegetables and fruit," Jolene confirms.
"Hhm…hmm…my mouth is actually watering," Michonne giggles.
"Good…decorations?" she asks.
"I really do not want any…I like the simplicity and elegance of your dining room. I will bring a vision board-I think," she bites her bottom lip.
"Thank you…you are naturally sweet without trying…she who shall not be named was always pushing and her entitled attitude was exhausting," Jolene rolls her eyes.
"She is back…Lori…not that she ever went away," Michonne divulges.
"What now?" Jolene shouts.
"Keep your voice down…she tried to bring Rick lunch and showed up in my office asking me to break up with him and go back to my ex; he was the new PD," she confides.
"What the fuck?! What did you do?" Jolene exclaims.
"Shh…Rick sent her away and filed a restraining order…I called Employee Assistance to get her some help. I filed an ethics complaint with his office and now he is suspended during the investigation-probably terminated," she rests her head against her fist.
"I will let you two lead the way but one more time and I am using the brick in the back of my car…cookies," she states matter-of-factly. Michonne's mouth falls open and then she burst into laughter.
Rick and Jeffrey settle into the well worn leather of the couch and chair respectively nursing their tumblers of small batch bourbon. Finally Jeffrey finds the words, "Her ex left Atlanta and switched jobs to try and get her back?" he recounts.
"Yep," Rick's tone is detached.
"She rejects him repeatedly so he hatches a plan with Lori who confronts Michonne to end your relationship," he continues.
"Correct," he takes a sip.
"When the plan doesn't work…Lori loses her marbles and ends up on a psych hold and he is suspended and under investigation; but decides to confront Michonne anyway," he concludes.
Rick finishes his drink, "That is my week," he explains.
"Well, when you are ready we can bury his body on the other side of the lake. I have a big shovel and know all the historical graveyards without markers," Jeffrey throws back the remaining amber liquid. "Let's go check on our women," he encourages and stands.
Rick's mouth parts and he studies his father. "Have you done this before?" he stammers. I am not sure if I am seriously asking or being facetious?
"I plead the fifth…but I am OG for a reason," he replies before heading down the hall.
Judy sits against the door of her modest bedroom that contains a twin bed and a small chest of drawers. Once she hears the inhabitants of the house retire to their bedrooms for the night she retrieves her backpack and removes each item. She smiles at the supplies-they are bright and colorful and she is eager to participate in class knowing she has the resources she needs. She writes her name on everything in case something gets lost.
She opens the closet and pulls out her duffel bag. She selects the leggings and graphic t-shirt Deputy Rosita liked the best. She picks underwear and one of her new matching hair ties plus her hair and bath products and places them on top of her chest. She hides the duffel again before climbing into bed. My life will be better.