AN:~~** I'm so sorry this chapter took so long to get out. Some of you know I suddenly went to LA for TOWL premiere and finally met Andy and Danai in the flesh *swoon and fans myself* Then I immediately crisscrossed the country again for Atlanta Con and had an amazing girl's trip! Shoutout to my Girls!

I've also started work on a new blog, Noir & Nerdy with some other awesome ladies. Please follow us on Twitter, IG, FB and subscribe at noirandnerdy dot com. We will be covering all things The Ones Who Live, future AMC titles as well as other shows that feature BIPOC characters. Also I've still got a few Richonne candle sets avail at my Etsy shop and I'm working on soaps *fingers crossed* Yeah, I'm doing a lot lol

Yall still have me cracking up and in total agreement with your reviews. I always read them after I've written the next chapter so they don't influence my writing. The outline for subsequent chapters are set before I even put up the first chapter to keep me focused. But I love seeing if you are picking up where I'm headed. Rick and Michonne are driving me crazy as well but I'm loving the angst also. Already working on chapter 12 so the wait shouldn't be too long. Thank you as always for rocking with me and February 25th here we come!

~~11~~

"Lil man."

Mike chuckled looking over at his son who seemed to be sprouting up before his very eyes. The boy had grown three inches over the last year alone. Michonne was above average height for a woman. Then combining that with his father coming in at six feet, it probably meant Andre would be tall as well. But when his father gazed at him, realization was hitting him. He was missing too much time with his dalliances. He was needed at home and this time he intended to fulfill his role.

"You're not so little anymore, huh?" he used his hand to gently pat at his son's curly high-top fade, careful not to misshape it. Andre didn't like the pat on the head as much now that he was starting to take notice of his appearance. Yet another way, his parents knew he was maturing.

"Maybe I'll be as tall as you." his son wondered.

"Probably, we'll have to see."

"There are some boys that outgrow their fathers. Like by a lot." Andre optimistically informed.

Mike snickered. "If you did then you could play ball the way I did in college. But with extra height, you could probably make it to the NBA."

From the kitchen, Michonne noticed their sons conflicted face before he responded. "I'm not really good at basketball or other sports. I'm all arms and legs."

"Those are the parts you need. You must practice on your athleticism. We can start doing that together again."

"I guess."

"It'll be fun. We can shoot hoops. Nothings greater than a boy hanging out with his old man."

Andre shrugged uncommittedly at his father's enthusiasm. "We'll see."

Mike leaned back on the sofa, letting his mind drift off. "You know that's how your mother and I met. Back in college. She pretended to not know who I was-"

Michonne was tidying the kitchen after dinner. She was glad they were getting some father-son time, but she had to interrupt when her husband started with his continual fallacy.

"I wasn't pretending. I was purposely being obtuse because I wasn't interested. That's all."

Andre perked up. "Why weren't you, Mama?"

Mike grinned like the Cheshire cat expecting his wife to tell some fabled tale of him being a ladies' man.

"Your father was a bit… pedestrian." Michonne gleamed, glad she'd wiped the grin off his smug face. But their son twisted his face in confusion.

"What does that mean?"

"It means-" she started but Mike cut her off.

"It means, it's time for bed."

"Aww, but I want to know what pedestrian means."

"How about you look it up in the dictionary." Michonne offered while Mike looked on in slight amusement.

"I can just ask Alexa or Siri."

"No, you won't. If you want to know what it means you must look it up in a tangible book. Either in the library at school or from the bookshelf. And I'll even give you a little hint. You want it's use as an adjective."

Andre nodded, accepting the challenge. "Once I know, then Dad…you can tell me why Mama thought you were pedestrian."

Mike couldn't help but snicker at the fact that he had become the butt of the joke. He and his son stood from the couch. One headed for the staircase while the elder stood on to watch.

"Don't listen to your mother. She was captivated by me from day one. Look that word up too. Captivated." Mike gleamed.

"Okay, but I know what that word means already. Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Mama."

"Goodnight." his parents returned the salutation, and he skipped his way up the stairs to get ready for bed.

Mike smiled, realizing how much he missed this before turned his sights on Michonne as she finished wrapping up her task. "Now, why are you lying to the boy?"

"What makes you think I'm lying?" Michonne smirked.

"Because of that ring on your-"

There was a pregnant pause as they both realized he'd misspoke. Bringing up a subject, they both skirted around now that he had returned. Mike was full of promises to make amends as usual. Michonne would have to see if his actions matched them this time. But her ring finger remained empty until she decided to put her set back on. If she did.

Mike could've backed away from the powder keg he'd just stepped on. Instead, he rounded the center island to stand on Michonne's left side. They stood in heavy silence for a few moments until he got the courage to proceed.

"I hope you will wear it again."

Michonne sighed overwhelmed with emotion she'd been keeping down. "Mike-"

"I'm not saying today or tomorrow. But hopefully soon." he placed his hand gently on hers and when she didn't immediately flip it away, he was further bolstered.

"I'm learning more each session. I really think we can work this out. I'm going to be more considerate of the things you want."

Many things ran through Michonne's mind like her salon, a new house and vacations. But also love, affection, care and support. Honesty and trust made her heart seize, for she wasn't sure if those could be regained.

"We could try for the baby you wanted."

It was as if a record abruptly scratched. Michonne snatched her hand free and turned to Mike incredulously. She didn't utter a word, just glared at him.

"What? I thought that's what you wanted." he was unbelievably taken aback.

"Yeah, a couple years ago. Before you began to step out."

Mike shamefully hung his head. "I'm sorry. I figured that-"

"Yes, having a baby will solve all our problems." Michonne remarked sarcastically.

"I'm not saying that, but you did want another baby before. Has that changed?"

Michonne thought back to when expanding their family was all she wanted. If Mike hadn't cheated, she knew they for sure would have been working on baby number three by now. A large family was always something she wanted.

"No, it hasn't. But that's the last thing either of us should be motivated by right now."

Mike breathed as though he was exasperated but Michonne didn't care.

"Instead of trying to get in my pants, you should concern yourself with rebuilding your bond with Andre."

"What do you mean?"

"You think your absence didn't affect him?"

"Well, yeah. But I think you are blowing it out of proportion. You act like I was gone for months or years."

"What's a day missing here or there?"

Michonne chuckled mirthlessly because this was the kind of nonsense she was all too used to from her husband. Bending over backwards to flout responsibility. She'd had enough of this and grabbed her water bottle so she could head up to check on Andre's bedtime progress. But Mike hesitantly stepped in her path, and she scowled up at him.

"Wait, I'm sorry. I'm still working on my counterproductive behaviors. It comes natural for me to deflect when I'm confronted with hard truths."

He waited anxiously as to what her reaction would be. But Michonne didn't move to leave. She unscrewed the cap to her water and downed a gulp. Mike took that as his opportunity to take accountability.

"I admit the times I didn't come home. I was completely out of pocket. I was letting something momentary get in the way of what was most important to me."

Michonne stood there allowing a wave of her own guilt to hit her. Those very same thoughts plagued her since her faithful or unfaithful day. But she needed to sit that aside to concentrate on what Mike was owning up to for once. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes, his contrite.

"And the last time, it wasn't what you thought. I had to… tidy up some loose ends."

Michonne raised a hand to stop him from going on. "I don't want to know. I asked you numerous times before and you were never forthcoming."

"I didn't want to hurt you even more."

Michonne blew out not wanting to allow emotion to overtake her right now. Mike tentatively stepped closer to her. His hand coming to her cheek, caressing it while he looked deeply in her eyes allowing her to view his remorse.

"I promise to keep working on things with Andre. I'll talk to my therapist about ways I can rebuild with him."

Michonne nodded because she wanted that more than anything. But she watched Mike's eyes fall to her lips before returning to her eyes. Her heartbeat picked up as she watched him move in close.

"I want to get back to the old us too. Please."

His hand slid to her chin tipping her head before he pressed his lips to hers. Michonne gradually acted out of reflex, scarcely moving her lips. Mike's hands lowered to grasp her waist pulling her body flush with his. She could feel his erection growing against her.

The sensual part of her had been rendered dormant from Mike's selfish actions. But it was recently sated and remained reignited. Her husband was completely oblivious as to why. As far as he was concerned, he was the pinnacle of desirability. And that showed in the way he waltzed into her job, completely unaware of the man that presumably stood out.

However, Mike must've picked up on the change in her hence his endeavor to seduce. But his arrogance meant he didn't pay attention to how her desire could've been restored.

Most of her sexual experiences had been with him. Her style and skill effectively taught to her by him to fit his needs. Don't get her wrong, Michonne climaxed as well. But over time it began to feel as though any enjoyment he delivered was in response to his own ego or reputation, his need to be lusted after. Mike never said it, but it seemed his fulfillment should be what got her off.

Michonne was a pleaser but with time she wondered what it could feel like to be catered to equally. Be with a person who enjoyed her receiving pleasure and granting it selflessly, not out of some obligation. She pondered how it would feel to play out some of her innermost fantasies. They weren't extreme or anything but just to have that balance and control would mean so much. And yet as she engaged in an idle smooch with Mike, another man was who she thought of. She imagined him providing her with those experiences.

She and Mike had both broken the pledge of their union even if hers was only once. But she couldn't so easily throw her marriage away over one spine tingling time with a man unavailable to her. The old adage reared its ugly head- How you get em, is how you lose em.

She had to be rational and not let her hormones get in the way. And that meant even right now. Therefore, when Mike's hands dropped to squeeze her ass, she broke away. Gently removing his hands and stepping back to catch her breath. She was about to explain but Mike surprised her.

"If you're not ready, I understand."

It was a punch to the gut. His sympathy. All her hidden guilt came bursting out after she'd conveniently packed it away.

Michonne whispered. "I can see you are trying, and I appreciate that. But you're right, I'm not ready to be with you that way just yet."

Mike nodded and took another step back allowing them both space to digest their new reality. This was what Michonne said she wanted. That she would try to find her way back to him if only for her baby's sake. But now she had reservations. She had to move past this teetering, and she figured she could give her husband something small.

"I'm not ready for you to be in our bed. But what about if you move into one of the guest bedrooms instead of being relegated to the couch." she offered, and Mike started to grin.

"I can make that work."

As Michonne walked to the stairs with Mike happily following, she knew he thought his persuasion was working. That he was working his way back to her, back to her bed. When it was a different reason, he'd been granted a reprieve.

Once they got to the second floor, they both peeked into Andre bedroom to see him fast asleep. A superhero pajama clad leg kicked out from under the comforter as he snoozed. His parents snickered and closed the door. Turning to face one another, ready to head separate ways when Mike's phone rang. He quickly pulled it from his pocket to silence it because he normally kept it on vibrate only.

Spick and specks played making Michonne giggle. But Mike looked somewhat tense.

"I've gotta update my ringtones."

"Yeah, the Bee Gees. The kids will switch from calling you Unc to Pops." she chuckled at her joke, but Mike only brought himself to snort.

Michonne wasn't a go in your partner's phone type of girl, and she only asked because her interest peaked from his reaction. "Who was it?"

"Oh, this guy from work. He was cool at first but now he's trying too much. He's not getting the hint."

"Maybe you should talk to him. Let him down easy."

"Babe, men don't do that." Mike snickered. "I think it would be better if I just blocked him." Mike swiped at the screen assumably doing just that.

"Easy, is more like it."

"What do you mean?"

"Seems a little extreme when you have to see him at work."

"Naw, it's fine. Hopefully, that will convey the message."

Mike quickly pecked her cheek. "Goodnight Babe."

"Goodnight."

Michonne returned then headed for her bedroom. She tried to keep her mind from wondering but something was still off.

Michonne pulled into the parking lot of Patton Elementary and cut the engine. She glanced at her phone, noticing text messages from Mike. Pictures of him standing against a building's directory with a smile on his face. For some reason, he felt the need to assure her of his whereabouts as of late. Perhaps it was something his therapist advised to rebuild trust, but she wasn't sure.

Initially, Mike was scheduled to pick Andre up from after school, but his counselor was able to fit a session in and the duty fell to Michonne. She didn't take issue with it because her husband had begun the work that she'd asked him to do for so long. Plus, her schedule allowed it without having to swap anything around. In fact, her last client's haircut went quickly to where she could depart sooner than necessary.

With her earlier arrival, Michonne figured she could sneak a peek at rehearsals. She loved seeing her baby in school productions. Andre participated in dances, plays and musical selections from kindergarten on up. He loved the arts having been exposed to them from birth, maybe even conception. Mike and Michonne would frequent museums, plays and art exhibits with Andre strapped to one of their chests in a carrier. Thinking of those family outings warmed Michonne's heart to the possibility of their return.

Andre's upcoming school performance, being a sort of variety show with children displaying assorted talents peaked Michonne's interest. Therefore, she decided to head inside hopeful to catch the tail end of practice. Once she signed in with security, she walked down the hall to the auditorium. On the way she realized there were a lot of activities still being conducted in the building. Children and staff were in various classrooms imaginably receiving tutoring or partaking in some form of extra -curricular activity, she mused.

"Ms. Michonne!"

Before she could turn to see who'd shouted her name happily, she was being hugged from the side. She was thrown off but looked down to realize it was Carl. She smiled warmly at him and returned his hug.

"Hi, Carl. What are you doing here? Are you in the showcase with Andre and Hershel?"

He shook his head making his growing hair flop about. It made her grin realizing he'd taken her suggestion to heart. "I'm not in the show. But I'm building sets."

Michonne could see the excitement on his freckled face. "That's really cool."

"I figured. My dad makes stuff so I should be good at it too."

The mention of his father had her stomach flip, but she pressed on concentrating on the boy before her. "Well, that's a great outlook. And I'm sure the production team is happy to have your expertise."

They grinned affectionately at one another. "I hope that means you are taking a liking to it here at Patton."

"I am even though we'll be graduating and going to middle school soon." He said anxiously then paused as though he pondered whether to share additional information. "I did get in trouble the other day."

Carl looked nervously to the ground and Michonne was surprised that her opinion of him meant so much already. "You got in trouble?"

He nodded sheepishly. "I had a fight with a bully."

Michonne considered before she responded. "I know that must have been scary for you. Having to defend yourself."

The boy chewed his lip. "It kind of was. My mom and dad taught me fighting was wrong. But he just kept picking at me and threw fruit at my head."

Michonne's head arched to the side as her overprotective side jumped out. "He what? Do your parents know about this?"

"Yes. My dad had to come after the fight. He was mad. But we talked about it after he took me to work with him. He made the principal make me and the other boys go to mediation." He griped.

"Well, that's a good idea. Actions bring about consequences. You will all learn some lifelong lessons there on how to handle tough situations."

"I guess. We've only gone once so far but, the boys haven't bothered me since."

"Well, that's good."

"Mama!"

Michonne and Carl both turned to see Andre racing down the hallway excitedly. "What are you doing here already?"

The boy launched himself at his mother nearly taking her down with the impact, but she smiled brightly. Happy to see her growing son was still so enthused to see her. So much so he slipped up and called her Mama in public. But she wouldn't make it into a big ordeal and embarrass him.

"My last haircut was a simple lineup. I decided to come sneak a peek at practice since you've been so secretive."

"Mom, that will spoil the whole show for you. Tell her Carl." Andre went to his best pal, draping his arm around his shoulder.

"Yep." He agreed and Michonne realized they were thick as thieves. It just made her giggle. Happy they'd found one another.

"What are you doing in the hallway?"

"I was going to the bathroom, and I saw you two."

"Well, Carl was just telling me about the trouble he got into recently."

Andre frowned pensively. "I was going to tell you about it. But I didn't want you to think Carl was trouble."

Michonne grinned at her son as he took up for his new best friend. "I would never think that way about Carl. He's a very sweet young man. You both are." She playfully rubbed the tops of their heads, and they chuckled but moved away not wanting their hair tousled.

"Did you tell my mom about mediation?"

"Yep." The freckle faced boy nodded.

Andre suddenly grew nervous, and his words came out with hesitation. "Do they have that kind of thing for people who haven't been in a fight?"

Michonne was curious as to where this was headed. "Yes, they do."

"Well, maybe we could go with Dad."

Emotion drummed up in all three of them, threatening to bubble over. They were each going through the trials and tribulations of disruptions in their home lives. The place that ought to provide comfort from a stress filled world. Michonne placed a hand on her son's shoulder giving him a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Proud that he was becoming a young man that didn't bottle things up but asked for help.

"I'm sure we can. In fact, your father is doing something like this by himself, right now. It's the reason he couldn't pick you up."

"Really?"

Michonne understood her son's surprised skepticism. His father's actions had become doubtful, and Andre must've assumed today's swap was due to more of the same. But her disclosure brought hope back to his eyes.

"Yes. Eventually we can go with your dad since that's something you seem to be interested in."

Andre considered and Carl, who remained silent, spoke up. "After my mom and dad broke up, we went to talk to someone together also. It helped them stop arguing so much. It taught us how to be a family in a different way."

A small smile crept back up onto Andre's face. "I'd like to try that when Dad and you are ready." He looked optimistically to his mother who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, we can do that. I can even find someone for you to talk to on your own."

Bing Bong

The school bell rang, and the trio looked around.

"Oh no, afterschool is over, and I haven't gone to the bathroom yet."

They all snickered at Andre suddenly wiggling now that he remembered why he'd come out of the auditorium in the first place.

"Go to the bathroom. I'll be right here."

"Okay." Andre raced down the hallway to the restrooms. "See you later Carl!" he shouted before turning a corner.

Kids were filing out into the previously empty halls more than ready to depart the school grounds. And Carl pulled his cellphone from his pocket before he looked back at Michonne.

"It's my dad. He's in the child pickup line out front. He's here to pick me and Hershel up. We are going to drop him to Ms. Maggie's house on the way home."

Again, Michonne's belly constricted knowing Rick was nearby. "Well, you should get your things, find Hershel and get out to him."

"I can wait until Andre comes back. We can all leave together. I'm sure my dad would love to see you." Carl smiled brightly and a bit cunningly.

Michonne needed to find a way out of this. Her pledge to go cold turkey was being tested and she found herself stammering to a child no less.

"I parked in the lot on the side. You should go on, get your things then find Hershel. You don't want to keep your father waiting." she nervously snickered. "You know how the parents in the car line can be."

"Honking their horns. It drives my dad crazy." Carl laughed like it was the funniest thing to witness his father's frustration.

"Okay, see you soon Ms. Michonne. Tell Andre I said I'll see him on Monday. I'm going to be with my mom this weekend."

"Oh, that will be nice. Tell her I said hello."

"I will." The boy started to walk away but doubled back to swiftly hug her before he ran off to do as he was told.

Michonne stood there wavering in her convictions. There was nothing more she'd rather do right in this moment than to see those pretty blue eyes. But she remembered her vow to not see Rick anymore until she could manage her longing for him. Until the draw to him disappeared.

She figured incorrectly that it would've begun to subside by now. But alas, Rick was always on her mind whether she acknowledged it or not. Yet she had to stick to her guns. Especially when her child just asked if their family could attend counseling together. Andre wanted his family to work. Therefore, she'd keep trying for her baby.

With a deep sigh from exhaustion, Rick collapsed on his couch. He wanted to get more comfortable but the only thing he could manage was pulling off his trusty boots. Tossing them to the side, he laid across the cushions resting his head on the padded armrest. His heavy eyes immediately closed because he could rest tonight. Carl had gone with Lori for her scheduled weekend, where she would drop him straight to school on Monday morning.

The free time could've been used in numerous ways, but Rick threw himself into work. Being on site from sunup to sundown was an easy way to justify his dodging. Backbreaking tasks would keep him too absorbed to constantly dither with his phone. In the last few days, even when the screen hadn't lit up, it was becoming too commonplace for him to glance at it. Rationalizing was the only thing Rick could do when he opened his messages. The text he'd sent Michonne was marked 'read' but there had still been no reply.

Rick understood he and Michonne both required time and perhaps distance to process their illicit liaison. Recalibrating after what was done in a weak moment would take more than a few days. After which, they could adjust and move forward with a normal acquaintanceship even though he subconsciously hoped for much more. He'd settle for friendship at the very least. He didn't want to lose her, because their connection was too real and genuine. He'd have to accept them for what it could only be.

Even though it wounded him, Michonne was unfortunately right about his willingness to abruptly end his relationship. If he hadn't met her, he wouldn't have been alerted to this kind of connection being a possibility. Let alone that he could have it with someone, he wouldn't have thought to end things with Jessie. He would've plowed on seeking to make things work in their relationship. Figuring things would've cleared up with time and much patience. Just getting by with what he knew to be true.

Maybe the amazing sexual activity was provoking him into being ready to cast everything aside immediately after completion. Rick still couldn't believe he was ready to act so impulsively for a second time in such a short span. He could only hope that when the sex haze, as Michonne called it, cleared that he would see reason. But in the days gone by, that assumption, the one where he'd move past wanting Michonne in his life was the blurry one. He couldn't stop thinking about her.

At first, he too thought it was a momentary infatuation and having sex with her would make it cease. Get it out of his system as they say. Instead, it was a chance encounter that provoked all five of his senses to lock every detail in remembrance. Frequently revolving to the forefront when Rick should be preoccupied with other objectives. Combined with not accidentally running into her over the last few days served to stoke the yearning. He didn't want to exaggerate but it was damn near torturous.

Rick wondered had it been the same for Michonne. And maybe that was the reason she needed more time, so he not so patiently waited.

Just this once

Just this once

Just this once

A vow on repeat meant to keep his mind from wandering to longing. But Rick was struggling, tonight especially. In the stillness of his home, her languid pants and moans crept up, the same as during any quiet time. His tongue swept across his lips but nothing he tasted since pleased in the same manner. Every breeze tickling past his nose set off a search for that sugary sweet and nutty scent unique to her.

Rick's rough fingertips tapped at the tiny bit of his stomach exposed by his t-shirt riding up when he laid on the sofa. He ached to caress her skin, silky smooth and tender. Firm but somehow soft and supple under his desperate manipulations.

He couldn't hold back the groan that escaped his lips while his manhood stiffened. He reached down to placate the hardening to an end. But reminiscences of gliding into warm and gushy make him tremble.

Maybe if he just…

Just to steady himself…

Hurriedly he unclasped his belt then pulled down his zipper. Rick slipped a hand under the band of his boxer briefs setting himself free. His cock heavy while his balls were full from having no release since that day. His hand came to his mouth, and he spit as much as he could into his palm.

He slicked the moisture over the sensitive tip and back down before grasping his pulsing member. Slipping and squeezing his wetted hand to simulating the clinching and relaxing of Michonne's muscles that were seemingly formed just for his thickness was his objective. Up and down his shaft his hand glided until he was fully erect. His breaths jutting out on each tight tug.

With his eyes closed, it helped him envision the expressions on her beautiful face while he'd delivered her pleasure from below. He'd unearthed but two routes to give her ecstasy. He wanted to learn more but also expand her climatic map. All the ways he could think of flooded his mind while he worked himself. Thrusting his hips helped paint the picture of entering her over and over.

This had to be enough, he told himself as he jerked his throbbing dick. And even though the sensation was building he knew it wasn't going to satisfy his hunger for too long. His grip tensed. Rick wanted Michonne in the worst way, he could admit that now. His exhales forced their way out. He wanted her so badly. He was just about there. One thing would put him over the top right now and he pulled the memory up.

Gazing between her legs, she left ajar unabashedly he could see the evidence of their fuck. Her slicked pussy more fetching with some of his creamy goodness leaking from it. But he crawled up her body to his true destination. To ask for permission.

A kiss.

Easy and erogenous, he replayed it. Everything before that could be chalked up to brash hedonism. Their frustrated lust set loose for carnal acts. But the lip lock was everything. Rick never had the pleasure of lips so full and soft parting for him. Them gently pulling him into a melodic pattern. Sucking enough to signify a passion ran deeply between them. Their tongues circling a tease of the sensuality they'd not gotten to relay in their haste.

Rick's body spasmed on the next tug and the creamy warmth spurted out to ooze over his hand. The liquid fulfillment coating his cock while he struggled to pump the rest out. A spew of expletives flew out of his mouth with each shudder. Gasps for air replaced it until he could finally relax. He just laid there for a few minutes enjoying the bliss he was able to deliver himself from thoughts of her.

After, he carefully got up trying not to spill his seed because his legs were shaky. Rick went to the half bathroom since it was closest to clean himself up. While doing so, he glanced at his face in the mirror, not ashamed of trying to deter his longing with a hand job. Even though he knew this wasn't what he really wanted, but it had gotten the job done, he thought. He washed his hands and cock of the sticky, opaque mess, noticing his curls and beard had grown out.

Tucking himself away and fixing his jeans, Rick then dried his hands. All the while trying to convince himself of what he knew he shouldn't do. But he returned to the living room and retrieved his cellphone. In his bookmarks, he found the link he needed and tapped on it. He toggled through until he hastily followed all the directives necessary to make an appointment. The confirmation popped up and he nodded to himself, putting his phone in his back pocket.

A double check to make sure he hadn't made a mess on the couch was conducted, then he grabbed his boots and headed up the stairs. When a chime alerted from his device. At the landing he fished it out to see he'd received an email from William's Barbershop. He swiped it open to see his appointment had been canceled.

Rick was perplexed because it had gone through minutes before. He huffed his way into his bedroom and plopped down on the end of his bed. He painstakingly went through the whole process all over again. The confirmation popped up once more but this time he waited. His stomach in knots with each passing second until a notification dropped down from the top of his screen. His appointment was canceled… once again.

Rick stood and began to pace his bedroom. His anxiety went through the roof. He wasn't thinking clearly as he immediately went to his messages. He typed furiously and a tad bit frantically.

Hey

R u canceling my appts?

Can we please talk?

He watched as the texts became marked as read. Then he could only wait on batted breath while ellipses appeared. He needed to know what she'd say but then just as quickly the dots disappeared. A second passed and they hadn't returned.

Before Rick knew what he was doing, a desperate call was placed on speakerphone. He pleaded aloud for Michonne to pick up his phone call. But only two rings occurred then the robotic voice of a default voicemail setup answered. He didn't even get to hear a recording of her voice.

Ending the call and chucking his phone, Rick collapsed weightily on the edge of his queen-sized mattress. He gloomily chuckled to himself. He'd screwed up. His glassy eyed gaze was distant and unfocused. He sorrowfully dropped his face into his hands to dissuade his eyes from filling up. He didn't know what to do now.