This Isn't the End
Friday
"I have considered every option and all possible scenarios. You have to surrender your license to practice law in the state of Georgia. You will not survive the ethics probe. The public will view your voluntary surrender as an act of contrition which can only help the criminal case," the high priced attorney instructs.
"And exactly who will I be and what will I do once my name is cleared," Philip asks in exasperation.
"You cannot be serious…you will be a convict or a parolee. The only question is how long?" the attorney shakes his head. "You have money…retire-golf, paint, collect something," he suggests. Maybe I should consider an insanity defense.
Philip stares at the wall wistfully. "I don't know how I got here. The world was mine for the taking," he ponders. You know…Andrea. Was one woman worth the it?
Shane lies on the couch with an ice pack on his face praying that the over the counter pain relief pills do more than take the edge off. He answers his phone completely irritated and on edge, "What?"
"Shane…hi, it's Jessie," she greets evenly.
"Hey Jessie," the silence on the phone is self explanatory.
"Okay…I thought you might call but by this point I figured it out. What we were pretending to build could never be real," she supplies. A small lie to cover the truth.
He considers his response, "You want to be 'Susie Homemaker' and I cannot offer that now and if I am honest I am not sure I ever could," he painfully exhales.
"Fair enough-do you know what is next for you? Will you stay in Kings' County?" she asks secretly seeking intel to determine her new plans.
For some reason the question pushes him over the edge. "This is my hometown too. I have a right to shine here," he snaps.
"I didn't mean anything…never mind-good luck," she ends the call.
Lori enters the room and joins him by sitting on the edge of the couch. "Glad she is out of the way. I still cannot believe she was an option," she condescends.
"Be careful…you are getting ahead of yourself," Shane warns.
Lori changes tactics, "I only meant…our history. You were the first one to touch my sticky honey pot-even before Rick," she entices. That should keep him on the hook.
He carefully turns his head and opens his eyes, "Do you mean that?"
"Of course I do…your fingers and your tongue," she seduces raising the arm hanging off the couch to place his hand inside her panties.
"Aaron why must you behave like a 6 year old on a sugar high every time we get an Icee?" Eric sighs.
Aarons twirls and shakes his butt while sucking down the Blue Raspberry frozen treat. "I spend all day as a good public servant. Can I please blow off some steam in peace," he admits.
"Fine…shake your money maker," he deadpans.
A series of giggles spring up behind the couple snack shopping in the mini-mart. Aaron turns to determine the source. "Is he really that funny or am I that big of a dork," he dances harder.
The girls double over in laughter, "Both."
"Most adults don't know how to be dorks anymore," the young dirty blonde girl with the ponytail explains.
"Eric…Are we being insulted or complimented?"
"Both-I think," he replies in laughter, "Are we in your way?" he asks.
"It's okay…we have time," the other young girl replies.
"We insist," Eric gestures towards the bank of drink dispensers, "Join our dork party."
The girls shrug and approach the Icee machine. One selects cherry the other Blue Raspberry. They glance at each other before breaking into their own dorky booty shaking and bumping.
Soda sprays from Eric's mouth and Icee flies out of Aaron's nose, "What are your names?" he chokes gaining his composure.
"Judy and Amy," they respond with big smiles.
His legal career is over. Michonne is a dead end. Plan B-church front man. Mike prepares for his evening with Jessie. She could be compliant. With a combination of weed, a limited amount of toys and a full trust fund could make a reasonable life. The knocking on the door pulls him from his private thoughts. He opens the door, "Have you no shame?" the Reverend greets.
Mike's eyes widen, "Father…" he grasps for words. How did he get here and what does he know?
Reverend Owen barges past his son to stand in the middle of the living room, "You will begin the path to redemption today-come," he commands harshly.
Mike closes the door and walks toward his father with his head hanging in shame. "The humiliation I endured after greeting Michonne Anthony' to have her fiancé, Rick Grimes, introduce himself to me. The shock I withstood when your superior informed me of the recent suspension of your work capacity. If I had not known your mother in the biblical way a husband knows his wife. If I did not witness your birth with my own eyes; I would not believe you are the fruit of my loins-bitter as the fruit may be," he scolds and degrades. "What do you say for actions?"
Mike swallows. Performance time to get my plan back on track. "I repent in the name of Jesus. I was weak to the ways of this wicked world. I need to return to the fold and restore my soul under your tutelage," Mike delivers with his eyes cast to the floor.
"If only I believed the words from your tongue. You have so defiled your temple that the only way to save you is strict adherence to my instruction and adoption of a humble living standard. Pack your essential belongings," he dismisses his son.
Mike's head snaps up and he studies his father. I do not know what is happening. I have lost the upper hand. I have no control.
Tyreese sits in his car watching the entrance to his favorite club in Savannah. The thoughts in the back of his mind will not let go. "Do what you have always done escape or try, no matter how unsure, to do something different. You have 45 days…one more night is the Champagne Room won't hurt. He exits and wonders with a lecherous smile, "I hope Lola and Trina are available."
Daryl stands in line at the dry cleaners and places his claim ticket on the counter. He sends a text to Sasha when a voice rings out, "Hey stranger," the sweet voice greets.
"Oh…hey Rae-Ann. Long time-no see," he responds.
She nods, "You disappeared…what's new?" she offers politely.
"Work…big cases," he answers vaguely.
She laughs, "More like a special lady…she looks good on you."
He blushes, "She does…I am sorry I don't know how to do this," he shrugs.
"You're doing fine…I am happy for you," she retrieves his ticket and retreats to the back. She returns with a black suit and red lace dress draped in plastic. "She has good taste," her eyes never leave his face.
"Thank you," he pays and takes the clothing from the metal rod, "Good luck."
"Goodbye Daryl," she smiles fondly.
Sophia enters the finished basement and flops down next to Carl, "What's up?" he asks around a mouthful of pretzels.
"Josh is not the one," she sighs.
"What happened?" he turns away from the television.
"Nothing really…he isn't my happy ever after…more like my let's just have a good time," she explains.
"How can you be sure?" Carl is curious.
"We have fun but…out of sight; out of mind-it's cool," she shrugs. Carl's brow furrows in confusion and contemplation. Sophia laughs, "Don't worry Prince Charming," she shakes her head knowingly.
"What does that mean? Did she say something?" his voice is slightly panicked.
Sophia laughs harder and shoves pretzels in her mouth so she can't respond. They are a freakin' adorable Disney movie.
Michonne answers her on the second ring, "Hey OG, what's new?" she smiles into her phone.
"First, thank you for the tickets to the tasting event but you don't have to be my top-shelf bourbon dealer," he chuckles.
"Too late…you will receive something every month. My contact placed you on the VIP list-enjoy," she giggles.
He shakes his head. She is one of a kind. "The real reason I called is come colleges and universities are interested in some of your grandfather's letters and papers," he introduces.
"Wow…Can we go over the offers and you can help me make the best decision?" she requests.
"Of course…let me know the day and time," he replies.
"Great…I'll be in touch…I have to go feed your son…love ya' OG," she prepares to depart.
"Love you too Sweet Girl," he ends the call. My goodness…if this is what it feels like to have a daughter-I am done for.