Milestones
Sunday
Penelope paces her kitchen. She opens her refrigerator for the third time eyeing the bottle of red wine. Justice and Carl asked to talk with her and Carol but did not give a topic of discussion. Stay calm…remain rational…it is nothing bad. The door bell rings and her feet move forward. She hears her daughter greeting their guest and directing them to the table. "Hey," she greets joining the group, "May I interest anyone in a drink or a snack?"
They each take a seat, "No thank you…I am good." Carol glances at Penelope her eyes laced with confusion. What is happening?
Penelope shakes her head discreetly. I have no idea.
Justice clears her throat, "Carl and I are planning for college and we want to attend close to each other."
Carl picks up the conversation, "We have narrowed our options to the Southeast. We ruled out California with Noah and America because earthquakes are a non-starter," he explains.
"Erin and Broderick are dead set on New York and that level of cold and congestion is not worth discussion," she shivers as if snow falls around her.
"Anyway…we planned a College Road Trip for Spring Break in a couple weeks and we would like permission to go," he watches the adults expectantly. Justice slides a folder in front of each of one.
Penelope looks down at the folder and up at the two teenagers. They are serious. She rises slowly and retreats to the kitchen. She returns to the table placing glasses in front of her and Carol. She uncorks the bottle and pours generously. The both guzzle before Carol opens her mouth to speak, "You want to leave for a week to visit colleges?" she states.
The teenagers nod and Justice speaks first, "We have an itinerary, maps, tentative on-campus appointments, a budget," she points to the folders. The atmosphere is tense.
"I have a tune-up appointment and I purchased a premium road side service plan also," Carl adds.
Penelope rubs her forehead, "Let me guess…you want to leave the state," she clarifies. They nod. "So, what you are really asking me is to let you go on a road trip with your boyfriend and no chaperone," she looks up with a resigned sigh.
"Mom…it didn't start that way but Sophia got accepted to the Young Entrepreneur camp with the Junior League so she had to drop out."
"Ms. Washington…I am not trying to take advantage of the situation-really. I would never disrespect Justice. I hope I have proven that," he implores.
She rubs her temples, "No…I know…I need a minute," she lifts her stem less wine glass to her lips and inhales a generous gulp.
"I do not need a minute…absolutely not…this is ridiculous. I will not sanction teenage sex. You are already enrolled at the community college-that is good enough," she huffs.
"Carol…Oh my God…Excuse me," they each respond in shock.
"Aunt Carol I want more than good enough. I am capable of more and I want to try. Maybe after I visit these schools I will decide to earn my Associate's and then transfer but I work hard and there are opportunities I deserve to explore," he wipes at his eyes, "You helped raise me…this is about my life...I am not a f-boy…a creep. I care about her," he whispers his voice laced with sadness and disappointment.
This is going off the rails. "Kids…give us a moment," she nods toward the living room. Justice picks up Carl's hand and leads him out of the room. Penelope takes a deep breath, "Carol, I am not thrilled either but if we do not remain calm this will blow up in our face. I am talking Romeo and Juliet…Bonnie and Clyde bad. How about we try and compromise? I have vacation days or maybe we can break the trip up into weekends," she tries to negotiate.
"Compromise with children-really. We need to maintain control," she takes another drink. "You know my first mistake…allowing Rick to guilt me into that car; now he has a sense of freedom. I can fix that…he cannot drive without insurance," she snaps with squinting eyes.
"I will not presume to tell you how to raise him but I need you to respect how I choose to raise my daughter. I am willing to work with them for a solution. Why don't we take a day or two to let everyone cool down?"
"Whatever," Carol waves dismissively with her hand in response to her request.
Michonne descends the staircase with her heels in her hand. She finally decided on a body hugging raspberry colored capped sleeve tea length dress with a mermaid hem. Rick rounds the corner from the den lured by the sound of her footsteps. "How did I know you were going to be the prettiest girl there," he smiles.
"And the most pregnant," she laughs. The fit of the dress highlights her belly. He crouches to help her into her heels. He kisses the top of each foot before securing the nude pumps.
Rick rises to his full height and takes in her face. He cheeks glow and her lips are painted to match the dress. "This is a baby christening so it is inappropriate for us to sneak out-right," he teases.
She giggles, "Yes Handsome but we can have all matter of fun when we get home. Maybe you can help me with my nap," she winks. She eyes his black suit and crisp white shirt. He opted to skip the tie. "I have some ideas about thanking my amazing husband for tackling his 'Honey do' list so thoroughly," she seduces.
"Well let's get started so I can get my treat," he winks leading them to the car.
Quinn sits in a chair bouncing Javier on her knee engaging in a one-sided conversation, "Look at Daddy and Papi," she points, "They may kill the wait staff before we get you blessed," she states in baby voice. Javier is dressed in an all white tuxedo with cuffed shorts, silk knee socks and white patent leather dress shoes.
"Which part of festive do you not understand? We are celebrating our son…we requested gold and silver confetti to anchor the center pieces…these are weak sprinkles…turn up the glamour," Xavier rants.
"I have baked for days and you bring me clear plastic trays to display the pastries on…did you miss the detailed e-mail regarding theme and color scheme? Fix this now…I will not allow you to disappoint our son," Jesus shouts.
The godparents enter the outdoor tent and approach mother and son, "Did we arrive too early?" Maggie asks glancing around nervously. Glenn squeezes the back of his neck.
Quinn laughs, "No…first time fathers' are a blast. They have a vision," she gestures, "If the staff does not get it right this event could become a funeral," she gestures toward the empty chairs. The medium sized tent is filled with a handful of small round tables that seat six. The family scheduled the baby christening at the park area near the town gazebo.
"May I?" Glenn asks reaching for the baby.
"Of course," Quinn responds lifting the baby into his new Godfather's arms. Quinn speaks for the infant, "Tell Uncle Glenn you need a playmate," she instigates. Maggie's eyes bulge and Glenn chuckles awkwardly.
Sunday evening
"Thanks for taking my call," Penelope opens the conversation.
"Of course, I doubt I will be of much help but I am glad to listen," Malcolm responds.
"In a nutshell your prized pupils want to go on a college road trip for a week out of state without chaperones," she explains in exasperation.
"Whoa…where?" he asks. I wonder how much of this I am inadvertently responsible for encouraging. He listens to pages turning.
"Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia…public, private and HBCU's; do not get me wrong they planned thoroughly but I am at a loss of how to respond. Carl's cousin had to drop out because of another academic opportunity," she rambles. "I mean they are great kids and I know what you are going to say…hundreds of parents want my problem," he cuts her off.
"First, I have a confession…I encouraged Carl to apply to Morehouse. Second, I do not know if there is a right response but you have every right to feel pure parental angst. Does it have to happen during that week and are they really resistant to chaperones?" he attempts to be supportive.
"I am not sure…I think we might be able to compromise. The other issue is Carol's complete opposition. She thinks it is all about sex. She is threatening punitive action like cancelling his car insurance," she takes a deep breath, "She thinks she can force obedience…she is so hell bent on control she misses the point. They are too old for manipulation. If Carl rebels there is a 50-50 chance Justice will be by his side," she shakes her head. "I am scared…I don't want to make the wrong call," she confesses.
She is so vulnerable right now. "I know it is not my place but I can reach out to some frat brothers or folks in my alumni association…I may be able to secure some on campus housing for a night or two. It is not perfect but it provides minimal supervision for your peace of mind and some autonomy for them," he suggests.
Her voice is small, "I do not know…you have already done so much. I do not want to impose," she trails off.
"Not at all…helping would be my pleasure and give me a chance to brag on my best and brightest students," he encourages her acceptance.
Penelope exhales in relief, "Thanks so much…I have never…I mean," he does not let her finish.
"Penelope…I know. You are remarkable but we all need a helping hand from time to time. To be honest I am flattered you called."
"I call," she defends.
"Oh, I will never turn down the late night, afternoon or morning flirting," he laughs. "This is a conversation that matters…this is beginning to share a life…hopefully." Let's test the waters.
"Okay…that is a level of depth I cannot engage right now; but fair to say I am open to that conversation once I survive this mini-parental crisis," she replies. How the hell did he knock down this wall?
"I will take what I can get. Give me the names of the schools they selected and I'll be in touch with some options."
Rick leans down on the top of the ladder with his feet planted firmly on the rungs inspecting the spackle and sanding on the wall above him. Michonne adjusted the height of the curtains in the parlor three times before she was satisfied with the 'vibe' in the room. She finally settled her curtain dilemma by contacting the vendor from the rental company to order a set of the same ice blue panels that adorned their wedding tent. He had to admit even he smiled every time he entered the room. Every moment of that night was magical. His mouth breaks into a smile when he feels her delicate fingers rub up the back of his thighs before her hands grip his ass, "What are you doing back there?"
"Hmm…admiring the Goddess' gift to me," she flirts before dragging her fingers back down his thighs.
He turns carefully to face her, "What is that smile about?" Whatever she is up to is going to be good.
She unbuttons his jeans and slides down the zipper. She grips the sides of his jeans tugging them down just enough to slip her hand into his boxers and strokes his dick. He steps down a rung completely at her mercy. Michonne wets her full lips in a circular motion before she licks his bulbous tip. "Mmm…I am so hungry. Do you think you could feed me?"
Rick nods furiously hanging on to the sides of the ladder. She extends her tongue licking and lapping like his dick is a melting ice cream cone. Once she hears him panting she slurps increasing the pressure. When he starts to tremble she inhales to the back of her throat and pumps what she cannot swallow with her hand. "Help me Jesus…you are the best wife ever," he moans. She lifts her other hand and strokes his balls through his boxers. His eyes cross as a slow motion orgasm travels from the bottom of his belly. He watches her head move down and back drawing out every bit of his release.
Michonne kisses his tip. "Thank you for my snack. Can I make you a sandwich, fix you a drink?" She looks up at him. His eyes are vacant; his breath is labored; and the knuckles on his hands are white from gripping the ladder. I may have sucked out his soul.
"I'm sorry…did you say something?" he notices her staring at him. She smiles and shakes her head before leaving the room.
AN: I apologize for the long wait. The Scandal finale captured the Muse but the TWD behind the scenes photos from season 9 restored the balance-I think. Can we all take a moment to thank the Saints for the Captain of the Richonne ship on that horse with that big swagilicious staff? Do not get me started on the Queen with that blue rope. Who is getting tied up or down and when? *FANNING*