Game of Life
Saturday {1:00 am…Sunday}
Daryl leans against the empty bar and Rick sits on the edge of the pool table. "This is our new life…waiting," Daryl mumbles.
"True…but they are more than worth the wait," Rick returns.
"Folks need to clear out…this establishment is closed," Shane's voice bellows.
Daryl and Rick eye each other and their faces register shock. What is Walsh doing here?
Shane enters the room boots squeaking against the laminate floors. The men eye each other. "Gentlemen, you need to vacate the premises," he directs.
Rick stiffens with a tense jaw the heels of his hands braced against the pool table. Daryl responds, "We are leaving…just waiting for our ladies."
"I appreciate that but I am clearing the place. Please exit and I will escort them out."
Rick stands abruptly and Daryl braces for the explosion. The stand-off is broken by the ebullient laughter of Sasha and Michonne. They observe the scene and read the rising tension. Michonne caresses Rick's arm from his elbow to his wrist before grasping his hand. "Ready," she smiles sweetly. He nods and moves toward the exit.
Daryl guides a tipsy Sasha out with his hand on the small of her back. "I know I had a few too many but is he a rent-a-cop now?" she whispers too loud.
"Will you hush," he admonishes.
"What…is he cosplaying?" she snaps sarcastically.
Daryl tries to muffle his laughter, "Please stop."
Shane bristles. I will be taken seriously.
Sunday
Lori and Beth meet at the Bistro for brunch. "I am happy for you," Beth offers flatly.
"Thank you. I hate I wasted time but the important thing is now I can start living the life I deserve."
"I wish Aaron could have joined us," Beth attempts to change the subject.
Lori shifts awkwardly, "Maybe next time…what is new with you? What is new at the courthouse?" I need to know what is on the grapevine.
"Mom…I just want to try some new ideas for the Comix Shop. What is wrong with that?" Sophia questions.
"We are fine…I have everything under control," Carol offers a non-sequitur.
Sophia shakes her head, "I know…I want to add to our success," she attempts to explain herself.
"I appreciate the offer. Keep doing what you are doing," she turns and leaves the room.
Carl enters the kitchen, "She wouldn't budge," he states the obvious.
"I do not get it…I mean I do-the need to control but it's stifling at this point," she deflates.
"Sorry," he opens his arms, "Want a hug?" Sophia walks into his embrace and exhales in frustration.
"Rick! Look what I found," Michonne shouts across the yard.
He shuts down the power washer and jogs across the yard. He takes in the scene. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, goggles on her face and she holds a chain saw in the air. Every shrub and rose bush is hacked back to stumps.
"Wow…you are good at hacking and slicing. What you got?"
"I found some sort of path or road," she points in front of them past the reduced foliage.
"I totally forgot…it is a bike trail. We used to ride around the whole property from the front sidewalk or driveway," he recalls.
"Ooh…add bicycles to the list. I want a basket and a bell," she enthuses.
Rick checks his watch, "Let's clean up and get something to eat," he kisses her cheek.
Daryl approaches the cabin and smiles. Sasha stands in the doorway wrapped in a blanket, hair loose holding a beer. "Are you ever getting dressed?"
"No…I have decided I only wear blankets in the wild," she laughs.
"You ready to head back?" he takes the beer.
"No, can we leave early in the morning?"
"Have I converted you?" he teases, "Are we going to live off grid with a bunch of wild-haired babies?" I cannot believe this is my reality.
Her laughter bounces off the trees, "Hell no…but you can teach them to hunt with little crossbows and make jerky."
While Michonne sleeps peacefully beside him Rick returns to the Baby G Journal:
We are getting the house ready for you. You have your own bike trail, a pool and swings. I cannot wait to show you the pictures of your Mama with power tools-a little scary. I need to do some homework but you keep growing big and strong.
Monday {2 weeks later}
Carl and Justice wait in the lobby of his office for Mr. Hamilton. "I like Professional Barbie," he flirts.
She paired a lavender blouse with black, wide leg pants and black suede wedge pumps, a tidy bun and simple stud earrings. "Where are we going to lunch Business Ken?" she bats her lashes peering up at him.
They are interrupted, "Well, well, well…aren't we eager this morning?"
"Good morning…Hey Mr. Hamilton," they reply after each other.
"Carl you continue to impress. District Attorney's Office…first class," he compliments.
"Thank you Sir…this way," he gestures toward the elevators. Once inside he shares the agenda. "We will spend the morning shadowing the DA and her staff. This afternoon we or I should say you shadow ADA Anthony and I go to work," he chuckles.
The trio is welcomed by DA Monroe and Michonne. "So nice to meet you…I have to say I may be more excited than you. We have not had Junior Senators in years," Deanna gushes after the introductions are complete. "Justice, Carl assured me you are going to knock my socks off," she offers praise.
Justice blushes bashfully, "He may have over sold but I am determined to give you my best."
"Then we will be fine. Follow me," she directs.
"Deanna, do not make me come for them…we have a schedule," Michonne chastises playfully.
"No promises," she quips as they exit to the hallway.
Aaron speaks up once they depart, "He has no idea how far gone he is," he observes.
"Not a clue," she delivers before they fall into laughter.
The Paralegal Department has baby fever as soon as Quinn enters to visit the office. "Oh…look at those cheeks…he smells like a little piece of heaven," the staff passes the baby around.
"Quinn you look great," Maggie compliments.
"Thanks…it is an illusion. A little concealer goes a long way," she deadpanned.
"What is new around here," she attempts to catch up.
"Not much…we miss you. Work is picking up now that we have the court trustee from Macon managing the vacant courtroom."
"How is the case going?" she asks quietly.
"50% chance of plea deal…I hope his nasty, delusional ass takes it," Maggie spits.
"Speaking of delusional…I saw cray-cray prancing through town with a mall cop-what is up with that?" Quinn squints behind her glasses.
"Honey…that is a wine conversation," she replies.
"Yes…the Lord answers prayers," she exclaims looking at the bulletin board.
"Sister Born, what has you singing his praises this afternoon."
"This house for sale flyer is for my neighbor. I do not know how it got here but I am grateful. The owner cannot be a member. That brothel is pagan, heathen den of ungodly fornication," her sanctimonious rant echoes off the walls of the social hall.
The other ladies burn red as the frown on Jolene Grimes' face morphs into a scowl. "Beck Sue 'Blow Job' Born…that house belongs to my future daughter-in-law. Unless you are ready for heaven today-keep my family's name out of your mouth. Do you understand or do I need to get a brick for your tramp behind?" she threatens standing behind her.
Rebecca Born freezes before nodding and escaping through the nearest exit. Jolene pull out her phone, "Patti…check your schedule…we need to make a home visit this week," she declares.
Michonne devours her lunch at her desk before making a Baby G journal entry:
We had a short doctor's appointment today-just lab work. Good job in there…everything looks strong. Daddy bought us this delicious patty melt on light rye without onion. I do not have to explain how yummy this is-right. He is working too hard between his normal shifts, college course, sergeant exam and working on the house. We need to pamper him. Any ideas?
"Spencer thanks for taking this meeting," Shane stands to greet him from behind his desk.
"This is quite the set up but I am not sure why I am here," he takes a seat.
"I will be direct. I know you applied to the Academy back in the day. I assume some politics were involved…anyway, we are picking up clients and staffing up so I decided to reach out," he explains.
"Why me and what are you offering?" No one knows about the psychological evaluation: propensity for disloyalty.
"I think I get you…your ambitious but someone's shadow is blocking your light. It cannot be easy being your mother's son over at the courthouse. Here you could be your own man. You have experience and training so obviously you would receive the appropriate rank," Shane attempts to lure him in. Always appeal to the ego.
"Do you have a written offer I can review…no promises," Spencer requests.
"Give me a minute," Shane makes a call.
Lori enters carrying a folder. "I took this from your assistant," she speaks directly to Shane. "Hey Spencer…I hope you decide to join the team. We are building something special," she encourages.
He sits up straighter, "Nice to see you…radiant as ever."
"I agree…she is still my favorite homecoming queen," Shane stakes his claim.
"Stop…you are too much," she tosses her hair before leaving the office.
Spencer takes the folder and stands, "I will be in touch.