CH 2
Over the next two months Kate got to know the Flynn family. She was going to counseling twice a week and she started school as she didn't want to get behind in her studies.
On Friday afternoon Kate walked into the kitchen to get a drink before going up stairs with her school bag when she saw Michael talking to some guy who had his back to Kate.
"Hi Kate,how was school?"
"it was good."
"How was your test?"
"Good"
"Your essay?"
"A" she said smiling.
"Good for you. Kate I would like for you to meet my oldest boy,Kate this is Mike, my oldest son." Mike turned to Kate and held out his hand.
"Hi Kate, pleased to meet you at last. Mum and Dad told me a bit about you."
"Nice to meet you too Mike, and likewise." Mike smiled at her.
"Dad said you want to join the navy."
"Yes sir."
"Call me Mike. Have you been out on a boat before?"
"Yes, when my father was alive. It has been a while."
"I know what you mean. I've hired a boat for a few hours tomorrow, Mum and Dad are going to be coming with me. Would you like to join us? You're more than welcome."
"I would like that. Thanks!"
"Great, we will be leaving at zero six hundred in the morning, do you know what zero six hundred is?"
Kate smiled, "Yes I do."
"That's good. So do you like fishing?"
"Sometimes, it depends on how I'm feeling."
"I like to fish sometimes too but now that I'm in the navy I don't get much time for fishing like I used to do."
"Well you've got tomorrow."
"True"
Kate went and got herself a drink then she turned around and walked out of the kitchen leaving Mike and Micheal alone.
"I feel sorry for Kate dad. No ten year old, hell no young teenager should have gone through what Kate has been through."
"I agree son. I haven't told her yet,the court case is coming up."
"When?"
"The following Monday."
"Does Mum know?"
"Yes, she does."
That night the family was outside having a barbeque dinner. Kate watches the four siblings teasing each other while enjoying her dinner.
Mike was sitting across from Kate. He noticed how quiet she was even though he only met her just a few hours earlier.
The family told Mike about what they have been doing and the trouble that they've been getting up to, and also teasing Don since he got himself a girlfriend.
"What about you Mike, when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?" Mel asked
"When I find the right girl Mel" Mike looked from Mel to Kate then down at his beer bottle.
"What about the ones in the navy?", Mel asked.
"They either have boy friends, engaged, or married. What about you Mel? Are you still going with Chris?"
"Yes and he's taking me to the prom next month."
"Ok"
They talked about other things for the rest of the evening.
Early the next morning Mike, Michael, Wendy and Kate left the harbour on rented pleasure cruiser for the day. Mike was up top driving the boat out of the harbor while Kate, Wendy and Micheal were sitting down on the back of the boat. As they headed out to sea the sun was just starting to rise.
When Mike found a good spot he slowed down and stopped the engines. Then he walked down the ladder steps just as Michael started to put the bait on the first rod. Meanwhile, Wendy went down below deck to make everyone a drink and to see what Kate packed for breakfast since it was after seven thirty in the morning.
Mike saw Kate putting bait on her hook just as he picked up a piece of bait for himself.
"Kate, do you know how to fillet a fish?", Mike asked as he put bait on his hook.
"No, but I have seen it done."
"Ok, would you like to learn?" Kate tossed her line into the sea then she sat down while holding onto the rod. Then she turned to Mike as he picked up his rod and he looked at her.
"You willing to show me?"
"Only if you want to learn", he said smiling at her then he turned to toss his line into the sea.
"I would like to learn, thanks" Kate said.
"Great! But first we have to catch a fish!", Kate laughed.
"Yes we do"
Mike sat next to her but not too close to her.
"So Kate, care to tell me about yourself?" Mike asked. He saw a scared look.
"Hey, don't be scared. How about I ask you a question and you can either answer it or say next question. Then you can ask me a question if you would feel more comfortable that way."
Kate thought about it
"Ok"
Mike smiled.
"Great! Ok, my first question...what's the one thing you miss the most?"
"My dad."
She turned slightly to look out to sea and take a deep breath as a tear starts to fall. She then said, "He always liked to spoil me when ever I did well in school. During the holidays I went with him to see what he does. I remember him telling me not to tell mum, but every Thursday at lunch time he would go to the RSA for lunch where he met up with his friends every week to see how they all were doing. He even took me there for lunch where I met his friends and their wives. Dad always let me have whatever I want. As for mum, she was different. Now my turn...why did you join the navy?"
Mike smiled.
"I love being out on a boat, being near the sea. My great grandfather was in the navy himself. He was a chief warrant officer when he retired...My turn. You said your mother was different as to what your father gives you. Can you give me an example?"
Kate smiled.
"At home for lunch it was always a sandwich, piece of fruit, and orange juice. With dad I would have fish, chips, salad, and a coke."
Mike nodded just as Wendy showed up carrying a tray with coffee mugs and some sandwiches.
"Here we go, here's breakfast."
"Thanks Mum." Mike put his rod on his lap then picked up two plates and put them between him and Kate.Then picked up two coffee mugs and past one to Kate.
"Thanks"
Wendy moved to where Michael is and put the tray down on top of the chilly bin and then sat down next to him. Kate took a sip of her drink at the same time Mike did.
"Mike what is your goal in the Navy?"
"My goal is to be the best officer I can be.Have you gotten into any trouble?" Mike asked.
Kate thought about it then started to smile.
"Yes. One time when I was about six years old, my parents had people around for evening dinner. I wasn't allowed to attend since it was for adults only. My nanny would look after me. What happened was I was playing hide and seek with the nanny and I hid in my dad's office. I remember the whoopee cushion that he had in his drawer since he confiscated it from one of the men at work that liked to play jokes on others. He put it on my dad's chair and dad sat down. I remembered it since I was there when it happened, and it was my dad's birthday. Dad wasn't happy at first but I laughed because I thought it was funny. Well, I took the cushion out of the drawer and ran into the dining room. I was just about to put it on the chair when I heard dad and his guests voices so I hid under the table. While I was there I put it on dad's chair and waited. I watched as the guests sat down then dad did. I tried not to laugh but I did giggle. He and some of the guests heard me. Dad he stood up and bent over and lifted the table cloth and saw me. He wiggled his finger at me so I moved from under the table just as he picked up the whoopee cushion and said to me,'Did you put this whoopee cushion on my chair Kate?' I said yes daddy. Am I in trouble? He looked at me shaking his head then he turned to his guests and introduced me to them. I said,
' hi' to them and apologized for what I did. They all grinned at me. One asked if I like to play jokes on dad. I said sometimes but he does it back to me so we are even. Dad said for me to go to bed since it was my bedtime. I gave him a hug and kiss then I go and do the same to Mum before I said my good nights to the guests. Then I walked out of the dining room with one of the servants. Did you get into any trouble Mike?"
Mike smiled,"Yes I did."
Wendy and Michael listened to Mike and Kate talk as well ask each other questions while they were eating something as well drinking their drinks. They had a great day fishing and talking.
When they returned home there was a chilly bin with fish in it. So while Michael and Wendy took care of the first chilly bin, and the rods and other stuff, Mike and Kate took care of the second chilly bin that had the fish in it. Mike showed Kate how to fillet the first fish then he let her try it. Kate smiled up at Mike when she filleted her first fish.
"Want to do it again?" Mike asked.
"Sure"
So Mike watched her fillet all the other fish. When done she turned to him ,
"I'll take this inside while you can clean up Mike"
"Hey you made this mess!"
"So, you watched me do almost all of the work. Have fun it shouldn't take you too long to clean up."
"That's true."
She picked up the large plate and started to walk towards the house.
Michael was watching Mike and Kate talk and heard what was said and saw how happy Kate is. He knew he would have to talk to Mike so he walked outside to talk to him.
"Cleaning up Mike?"
"You heard."
"Yes, I did. Mike, I've been watching and listening to the way you talk to Kate, how you got her to open up."
"What are you saying dad?"
"Kate's therapists been having problems getting Kate to open up about her feelings and her past, including about the rape. But you, you have done more in one day than the counselor has done in two months. I'm proud of you Mke."
"Thanks Dad."
The next morning Michael and Wendy were at the table talking to Kate. Mike was out side hanging a load of washing on the line.
"Kate,Ann called couple days ago." Wendy said
"Am I moving to another home?"
"No dear, it was about the court case."
Kate looked at them for a minute,"when is it?"
"Monday next week. We know you haven't talked about what happened to you."
"I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry, I can't!" Kate stood up and ran outside.
Mike saw her run outside crying. She ran around the side of the house and down the driveway. Wendy and Michael ran outside so mike walked over to them.
"What happened?" Mike asked.
"We told Kate about when the court case is."
"She didn't take it well."
"No"
"I'll go and talk to her Dad"
"You do that son."
Mike turned and walked away knowing where Kate might of gone to.
When he found her she was in the play area sitting on one of the swings. He walked over and sat down on the swing next to her.
"Dad told me what happened,'' Mike said as he looked at Kate.
Kate was looking down on the ground as she slowly moved back and forth on the swing. "Why?" Kate said a minute after what Mike said.
"Why what?" Mike asked.
"Why do I have to go to court? I don't want to go but I have to, I have to face them. I can't do it!"
Mike move his swing towards Kate, Kate look up and turn to Mike, he could see that she has been crying.
"Kate there something my dad said a few years ago to another young girl like yourself. He said to her. You are stronger than them. You can face them, face your fears head on, and you can overcome them. When the time comes you won't be alone.' He's right Kate. You won't be alone."
"Yes, I will be alone."
"No, you won't. You will have Ann, the police, the lawyers, mum, dad and me there to support you, to be there for you. So you won't be alone" Kate knew that Mike was right, that she won't be alone.
"I...I won't know what to say."
"Yes you do Kate, just remember this, You are stronger than them. They will try to say bad things about you, try to pull you down, name calling every thing that they can think of. But when they do that, they will be the ones who are showing their weakness. You won't be because you're stronger than them"
"I know that now but when I have to face them..."
"Do it with your head held high. Show them you're not weak."
"With the nightmares, it's always the same thing over and over again, night after night."
"I know Kate, I've heard you scream and because of your fears. It will get better, but it will take time."
"I hope your right."
"That was what dad said, it will take time."
Kate let out her breath and turned to look ahead of her as she lay her head against the chains.
"Why did he do it? Why did he have to rape me? What did I do to deserve to be raped, why?"
"Only he can answer that question Kate."
"No guy will want me after they find out about the rape or they will think that I'm an easy target"
"There is someone out there for you. You're young, you've got to remember that your the victim in this."
"That's what my councilor always says."
"It's true."
Mike and Kate talk for another hour before they walk back to the house talking about other things. When they walk inside Wendy and Michael were worried that Mike didn't find her.
They heard Mike and Kate talking before seeing them. They both relaxed and turned to the door to see Mike and Kate walk into the room.
"Sorry for running out like I did."
"It's ok, your not the first one to do that. I gather Mike found you" Wendy asked.
"Yes, we talked."
"That's good. Would you two like a drink?"
"I'll get it mum" Mike said as he walked into the kitchen. Kate walked over and sat down at the table.
"Care to tell us what you two talked about besides the court case?" Michael asked.
"Mike made a deal with me."
"Deal, what deal?" Wendy asked Kate looked at Mike who was looking at her.
"You can tell them Kate" Kate turned to Mike's parents.
"The deal is for me to keep my grades up and when the time comes, and no matter where I am or where he is, we will keep in contact with each other. And he said he will take me to my prom if I haven't got a date by then."
"Prom date Kate, that's a few years away."
"Five, remember I skipped two years of school."
"That true. Mike you better hold up your end of the deal."
"Yes Dad I will. If I don't Kate said that I'll have toothbrush duties!" Michael and Wendy laughed while Kate smiled.
During the next few days Kate managed to forget about the upcoming court case since she was busy studying for upcoming tests. Plus, she started to open up to her counselor about her past and about her parents from when she was in England.