Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Rick Grimes) (#Wattys2024)

Keep the faith

As I drove with Theodore, my grief weighed heavily on me, consuming my thoughts and emotions. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the road ahead, the memory of the CDC explosion kept replaying in my mind, causing me to cry uncontrollably. Theodore, ever patient and understanding, remained by my side, offering silent support as I navigated through my pain. Eventually, we had to stop for gas, and it was during this pause in our journey that I decided to try to stop crying. I knew that dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything, and I needed to find the strength to face the future, no matter how uncertain it seemed.

Rick approached me, expressing his condolences for my loss. I nodded in acknowledgment but turned away, unable to speak through my tears. Rick's words of regret echoed in my mind, but I knew that blaming him or anyone else wouldn't bring my mother back. Turning to face Rick, I spoke softly, my voice trembling with emotion. "You shouldn't blame yourself, Rick. It wasn't your fault. My mom made her choice, and we have to accept it now."

Rick nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of my words, and walked away.

Theodore reached over and handed me a bottle of water, his expression gentle and understanding. He didn't say anything, knowing that sometimes silence was the best comfort in moments of deep sorrow. I took the bottle, offering him a weak smile of gratitude before taking a few sips to steady my breathing.

We sat in the car together, enveloped in a quiet cocoon of grief, until I felt a spark of warmth amidst the darkness. I wiped my tears, took a deep breath, and began to speak.

"You know," i started softly, my voice still trembling but gaining strength with each word, "I remember this one time at my high school graduation... My mom, was so proud of me. She had this way of being both embarrassing and endearing at the same time."

Theodore listened attentively, his eyes reflecting empathy as I continued."I was up on stage, about to receive my diploma, and there she was in the crowd, cheering louder than anyone else. And then, as they called my name, she jumped up and started shouting, 'That's my baby motherfuckas!'"

I couldn't help but chuckle through my tears at the memory. "But that's not even the best part. After the ceremony, we were outside taking pictures, and there was this girl, Big Biggie Alice, who used to bully me. She thought she was so tough, you know? Anyway, she came up to me, trying to act all friendly, and my mom... Oh, she had this mischievous glint in her eye."

Theodore's lips twitched in a hint of a smile as I recounted the memory.

"Before I could even react, my mom grabbed her cup of water and threw it right at her! Big Biggie, who wasn't so big anymore, ended up drenched, and I couldn't stop laughing. I mean, sure, I got soaked too, but seeing the look on her face was priceless."

I wiped away another tear, this time a tear of laughter mixed with sadness. "My mom was something else, Theodore. She had this way of turning even the most mundane moments into something unforgettable."

Theodore reached out and squeezed my hand gently, his silent support speaking volumes. In that moment, amidst the pain of loss, i found solace in the cherished memories of my mother, knowing that her spirit would always live on in the laughter and love we shared.

Rick approached the car, his expression somber yet determined. "It's time to hit the road," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of their collective grief.

Theodore nodded, starting up the car as i fastened my seatbelt, my mind still lingering on the memories of my mother.

As we drove, Theodore began to share some anecdotes from his time as a bus driver for a church. "You wouldn't believe some of the things people say," he chuckled, shaking his head.