Shifting Priorities

Sunday

Malcolm hands his keys to the valet parking attendant before rounding the back of the car to open the passenger door for Penelope. He places his large hand to the small of her back and guides her through the double doors of the renovated upscale 1940's style mansion. He decided not to fight the wide smile on his face once she agreed to join him in Atlanta at his favorite restaurant for brunch. The contrast of her rich brown skin against the white, sleeveless, linen sheath dress proved a delight to his eyes.

"Malcolm…brotha'…what are you doing back in town?" a voice greets from the left corridor.

"Hey Prentiss," he returns the greeting with a soulful hand grasp before pulling his friend in for a warm embrace. "You know I couldn't stay away from the crab cakes for too long. Please let me introduce you to the special lady in my life…Penelope Washington," he gestures to his right. She better be ready for her new title.

Penelope tucks her coral, shantung silk clutch bag under her arm and extends her hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you," her lips smile around the words.

"The pleasure is mine," he responds. "Man, you want your old table?"

"Actually, no…I think something near the fountain feels about right."

"Fountain it is with VIP service of course," he winks at Penelope.

Monday

Daryl descends the steps of the court house with the official paperwork secure in his back pocket. He drives the streets of Kings' County in his new pride and joy; the fully restored vintage Chevy truck. The window is down and the sound of the local blues radio station rides the wind whipping through the front seat.

Rock me baby…all night long…like my back ain't got no bone…Roll me baby, like you roll a wagon wheel…

He nods his head to the heavy slide guitar rhythm working through his private list of wedding surprises for his family. He stops at the only jewelry store in town. He greets the small staff, "How you doing Mr. Porter? Nice to see ya' again."

"Mr. Dixon, I do enjoy your visits…per usual your latest project was quite the delight…the research alone…I am going to start visiting some auctions to infuse our offerings. May I ask where you found this piece?"

"Thank you Sir, I can't take credit. My assistant found the pendant but your idea to re-make the old African American cameo into a broach was great since she has all those Sunday suits to decorate."

"Your mother is a lucky lady to have such a thoughtful son," he praises.

"I'm the lucky one…plus Mom deserves everything," he smiles.

Daryl returns home later that afternoon to hide the gifts away from Sasha's prying eyes. He stares down at his gift for Pops. I cannot wait to see their happy faces.

Tuesday

Gideon taps his pen against the desk. Things are getting stale. 'The Gazette' ran his investigative piece: 'Judge behind the Robe' above the fold after the explosive day in court. The piece and he as a reporter were the talk of the town. He did not enjoy the individual attention but he could not deny he craved the adrenaline of chasing and exposing corruption. Speaking of attention. He picked up his cell to send a text to Rae-Ann and break up the monotony of his day when his office line rang. "This is Wallace," he responds.

"Mr. Wallace, this is Captain Walsh with the Kings' County Security Firm."

"Mr. Walsh what can I do for you today?"

"The question is what can we do for each other?"

"I beg your pardon," he does not get to finish.

"I am a straight shooter so let me get to the point. You are gaining a reputation as the main man over at the paper. I think we can help each other out."

"If I am the main man, as you say, why would I need your help?"

"Your last piece exposed the corruption of the establishment. Why not follow up with a report on all the good outside of the system? I am a home town boy that reflects the values of Kings' County…I lead a company that provides pure law and order; plus I am marrying my high school sweetheart. The people will eat it up. What do you say?"

Interesting. "Mr. Walsh," he is interrupted again.

"Shane…Please call me Shane."

"Fine…Shane. I am an investigative reporter. I do not write puff pieces…I research, conduct interviews, cross reference and publish what I determine to be the objective truth. I am not sure you completely understand the gravity of what my findings may mean for you, your life and the organization you lead," he explains.

"Is that the same thing you did for Grimes? I do not remember you talking to me about him. I known him his whole damn life…hell I use to be his partner and you didn't ask me any questions before putting him on the front page," he snaps bitterly.

Wow…bitter…resentful. "I tell you what…let me do a little research and if I determine there is a story worthy of the public's attention I will be in touch. Fair?"

"Sounds fair…I know you will come to the right conclusion so I will wait for your call."

"Well, I should let you go. Thanks for reaching out."

"My pleasure," Shane disconnects.

Gideon looks down at the yellow legal pad. He already had a series of questions scribbled out during their brief exchange: Who is Shane Walsh? When did he leave the department? When was KCSF established? Why mention the high school sweetheart? Why seek publicity? He feels the tingle up his spine. This is more than meets the eye.

Wednesday

Rick assists Michonne onto the exam table. "I do not want you getting worked up."

"I'm not…sure and steady…we got this," she nods in agreement. "We get piano time when we get home right?"

He rubs her belly and kisses her forehead, "You can have anything you want."

Dr. Bennett enters the room, "How is my favorite family?"

"Great…Good," they both reply.

Naomi completes the physical exam after attaching the fetal monitors. "Are you experiencing any pain across your lower back or cramping?"

She shakes her head from side to side. "Nope, not today or any other time during my early maternity leave."

"She has been off her feet…doing her yoga…getting plenty of rest."

"I believe you. Unfortunately, you are dilating again which means I need to refer you for an extended hospital stay and see if we can slow things down," she states.

The energy in the room stills. Michonne stares at her belly taking short shallow breaths. "Is she in early labor?" Rick questions with a shaky breath.

"Hard to determine…I was hoping we could go at least two more weeks but that may not be possible. Right now we are going to monitor them to gather enough data to develop a plan. I appreciate you both remaining calm. Let me get the paperwork together," she exits the room.

Rick cradles her face in his hands, "Look at me…we got this."

Michonne takes a deep breath, "Team Grimes."

Thursday

Mike lays spread eagle on red satin sheets in the center of the spinning round bed. Not only can he not remember the last time he was outside he does not care. The early attempts to find regular work were less than successful due to the gaps on their resumes and lack of tangible references. What began as a weekend free of stress morphed into a retreat from reality. He and Andrea exist on a steady diet of hard liquor, drugs and sex. She has yet to emerge from the shower when a loud bang on the door vibrates through the room. "Management…check out was at noon…please open the door or we can force entry."

He pulls his sweaty body up and steps into a pair of boxer, "Coming." He only cracks the door open as far as the inside lock allows. "There is a misunderstanding we have a credit card on file."

"Sir, the card was declined so unless you have another form of payment you and your companion are required to leave within the hour."

"Give me a minute to meet you at the front desk," he stalls for time.

"One hour is all you get," the gruff voiced man retreats down the steps of the trailer located in the middle of the desert.

Andrea exits the bathroom naked with a grey towel twisted around her hair and balanced on her head, "Are they sending another girl?

"Not even close…the card was declined. Do you have another one?"

"What?" she shrieks. "How are we out of money? Wasn't that the card attached to the LLC?"

"Look, we are off grid…maybe we can offer services in exchange."

"Do these people really appear to need legal advice?"

"Wake up…you are no longer Judge Blake's wife or a partner in a law firm. Get prepared to put out if necessary," he shouts.

"No, why not you…it would not be the first time," she challenges.

"Oh no…you, me, we will do whatever. This is survival 101…you should be familiar with the choice. Isn't survival how you ended up married to Blake? What is the difference?"

She waves her arms around, "The benefits."

"This is the new world order and the benefits are food and shelter. Make the adjustment."