Changing Lives
Thursday morning
Maggie stomps into Michonne's office with a stack of files and snatches the chair closest to her away from the conference room table sitting down with a thud. "Humph," she utters.
Michonne glances over to her friend, "Everything okay?"
"Not in the least," she responds crisply.
"Can I help? Anything I can do?" she replies with concern.
"Not unless you can get my husband out of his laboratory and away from his new toys to give me a proper orgasm," she snaps.
Michonne's eyes widen in shock, "Oh my…"
"Exactly…he is so enamored with all his new gadgets and software; I am two steps away from buying a gadget for my software. It has been days…I do not go days," Maggie continues to vent.
"You are Maggie Rhee…remind him of everything he is missing at home," Michonne suggests.
Maggie pauses and a naughty, smutty smile lights up her face, "I got this," she concludes.
"Okay Evil Minions anything you want to add to this slide," Rick asks.
"How long do we have to endure the name calling?" Rosita whines.
"Until after my presentation this evening before the City Council," he responds.
"I am letting it pass because the man is under duress. He is the father of three," Sasha taunts.
"Funny…you leave my babies out of this. You took advantage of me-have you no shame?"
"We see the error of our ways," Rosita offers.
"I trained you so I know that is a lie. Now let's focus because after my chance encounter with Rep. Jones we need to be prepared for his fiscal arguments," Rick re-directs the discussion.
Thursday afternoon
The classroom phone rings and the teacher stops her lesson to take the call, "Yes…end of period…not a problem."
She returns to the front of the room to continue instruction on rhetorical devices. The bell rings, "Judith may I speak with you please."
She slings her backpack over one shoulder and approaches his desk. "Yes, Ms. Karen."
"You need to report to the office," she explains.
"Do you know why?" her stomach fills with anxious knots.
"Sorry…I am sure it is no big deal. See you tomorrow," she smiles.
Judith smiles timidly and turns to leave. Each step builds the dread in her heart. She knows what this is…she has been here before. People walk past her chatting, completing the routine of going to class. She on the other hand is facing a new placement, new rules, new people, figuring out how to take care of herself-again. I can remember the good times.
Eric reaches over to adjust Aaron's coordinating red bow tie with white polka dots. Aaron slaps his hand away, "Enough…find something else to do with your hands," he grits out.
"I…you are right. We are here things will go fine," he fidgets in his chair. They wait in the Family Court room for the proceedings to begin. They received the call this morning and Aaron systematically moved forward on bringing his family together and moving them forward.
The door opens and the case worker walks in with Judith trailing behind. She has a bulging duffle bag slung across her body, a backpack secure over both shoulders and a garment bag draped over her arm held tightly against her chest. She doesn't look up and all the energy and life they adored seems to have drained from her body. The case worker guides her to the hearing table on the right side of the chambers.
"Please rise for Judge Jacqui," the Bailiff announces.
"Thank you, please be seated. We are here to transfer placement for the ward of the court. I have reviewed the documentation and everything seems to be in place. Do we have any last minute objections or substantial changes?"
"No your honor," the case worker and manager both respond.
"Please rise…the transfer of placement is effective today and on track for permanent guardianship. With no objection I will see all parties in six months," she bangs the gavel.
Judith has not heard any part of the proceeding. She retreats within herself to the place where Deputy Daryl and Deputy Rick make sure she is safe; where she works with Ms. Denise to take care of their guys; where Ms. Sasha and Ms. Lonette make her feel pretty; and where she dances with Aaron and Eric at fancy weddings.
"Judith," her case worker touches her shoulder, "I want to introduce you to your new guardians."
"What's up Dork?" Aaron asks with glee.
Judith drops her garment bag. Her eyes bounce back and forth between Aaron and Eric. She can barely breathe and her eyes fill with tears. Eric kneels down and picks up the bag. Aaron removes the duffle and slings it over his shoulder. "We have a stop to make before we go home," he states. She remains speechless as Eric embraces her shoulders and guides her out of the hearing room. Wishes come true.
Abe enters Emmitt's Pawn Shop, "How are things this fine day?"
"Nothing new…what can I do for the department today," he responds.
"We have had a couple burglaries and I wanted to know if you have seen an increase in business or new clientele?"
"Not to my knowledge…the usual suspects…I can keep any eye out for ya'," Emmitt offers.
"Thanks, just being proactive," Abe turns to exit. He returns to his car and calls Rosita. "Hey, nothing moving at Emmitt's…I think this might be a nothing burger."
Thursday evening
"Where is my favorite Evil Minion?" Daryl enters Sasha's shouting down the hall.
"You are supposed to be on my side," Sasha responds.
"Sorry, brocade…in fact on behalf of the Brotherhood I am going to punish you," he threatens removing his uniform shirt.
"Is that right," she stands in the bedroom doorway in her underwear.
His voice drops dangerously low, "Yes, assume the position against the wall," he commands.
Sasha struts over to the closest wall placing her flat palms above her head. She spreads her legs and waits. Daryl traces her spine with his tongue before dropping his pants. He strokes himself considering where he wants to start. He releases his cock before reaching over her shoulder and into her bra to squeeze her breast and pinch her nipple with his right hand. Her forehead falls forward. He uses his left hand to slide her panties down onto her thighs. He guides himself inside her wet walls. "Bad, bad girl," he thrusts.
Sasha pants, "Yes I was so bad…punish me…make me pay."
"How may I help you?" the customer service representative greets.
"Yes, we need to add a line to our account and we want to transfer our upgrade to the new line," Eric explains. Judith still hasn't spoken because she still believes this is all a dream. "Judith you need to pick a color."
She shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders. She is completely overwhelmed. Aaron interjects, "How about the rose gold? That would be pretty-right?" She nods along. They complete the transaction and head back to the car. "Judith, are we moving too fast? If this is not what you want," he doesn't get to finish.
"No! I…it's just…I wished and hoped and it never works out but you came for me. I don't know what to do exactly but I promise to be so good you won't regret it," she tries to explain.
"Hey, you're our Girl now. You don't have to do anything but be yourself. We will take this one day at a time. Let's go home, have some dinner and you can ignore us playing with your new phone," he teases.
She laughs, "I will play with the phone but I can't ever ignore you."
The City Chamber is sparsely filled as the members proceed through the Order of Business. "That concludes old business. May I have a motion to open the floor to New Business?" The Clerk requests and records the names of the motioning members and the final vote. "Next up Deputy Rick Grimes for the Kings' County Sheriff's Department," she addresses the attendees.
Rick approaches the podium. Michonne dressed him in a crisp navy suit and the extra ice blue tie she ordered for the wedding. "Good evening, Council Members. On behalf of the department I have a short presentation as part of the formal proposal you received. We are requesting funding for a pilot program with the DA's Investigation Office to use body and dash cameras to enhance prosecution and provide on-going training for officers in the field," he begins. The lights dim and he presents the short power point highlighting the key components of the program.
"Deputy Grimes, this presentation is exceptional. May I ask why this is only a proposal for a pilot program?"
"We wanted to build a body of evidence for department wide use…In order to do that we need data, testimonials, and to determine any possible challenges to full implementation."
"Deputy, why do we need to spend the money? A place like Kings' County does not have the same problems as places more urban," Rep. Jones challenges.
"I disagree…we have not had to address the problems so now is an opportunity to be proactive. Equal protection under the law is a Constitutional requirement for all law enforcement agencies." I am starting not to like him.
"Do you even have one example? I have never heard one complaint and I have served as part of this body for almost two decades." A few people in the audience scoff or roll their eyes.
Rick stares at the podium before looking up, "I have two nephews…one is white and the other is Black. They grew up side by side, smart, capable, fine young men. I would take a bullet for either one. I have watched women clutch their purses when my Black nephew passes by. I know he has been stopped by my colleagues and forced to explain his presence in specific parts of town. Kings' County can be better than that and this will help us get there," he concludes.
The atmosphere in the Chambers stills to a poignant silence. People lean forward in their seats riveted by Rick's command of the room. His oratory is simple, elegant and determined.
The Clerk calls for a motion and then the vote, "All those in favor say aye," she records the vote, "All those opposed. The ayes have it the proposal passed." Those in attendance clap with vigor as Rick takes his seat. Michonne reaches over with her left hand and squeezes his right. She uses her right hand to dab away her tears. Team Grimes did you hear your Daddy? He is the best man we know.
"Amy I have my own room. It is temporary because we will move soon but I can put all my things away if I want…yes, this is my new number and we are taking selfies tomorrow. Meet me out front in the morning. I get dropped off now. I gotta go we are having dinner-together; that''s one of the rules…thanks," she ends the call.
She enters the kitchen almost on tip-toe and waits. "Pick any seat you want," Eric directs.
The center of the table is covered with a giant platter of spaghetti and meatballs, a basket of garlic bread and a pitcher of lemonade with fresh strawberries slices. "Tomorrow we have a parent conference with your teachers. We want to know everything that is happening and what we need to do to support you," Aaron explains.
She nods. Eric points to the refrigerator, "We have a list of things we thought we could do together. We made it while we waited for you to come. You can cross things out or add anything you like."
She clears her throat and they hold their breath because she hasn't said much, "Can we eat because I am starving and I don't even care if it tastes good."
They laugh from their gut, "Sorry, please dig in." She reaches out and brings the platter toward her plate scooping a generous amount and stabbing a giant meatball. They glance at each other with giant geeky smiles. Our family is complete.