Loss of Time
Chapter 11
Shockingly, Hannah was able to give a full statement to Detective Sams, the investigator on her case. She had good descriptions of her assailants and surprisingly, the light bulb had burnt out in the basement before Mike had gone downstairs. It had been fairly well lit and Hannah had seemed to memorize all of her attackers, knowing details about tattoos, clothing and physical descriptions. She had also fought back enough that she had DNA under her fingernails. Mike was honestly impressed with how resilient Hannah was.
They had stitched the cut on her neck along with one on her scalp. Aside from her wrist and a couple broken ribs, she didn't have any broken bones. The stab wound was deep and had knicked an artery but the surgeon was able to fix it in the E.R., not requiring a full surgery. No other damage had been done to her abdomen.
The counselor had talked to Hannah at length and told Mike that she believed that Hannah was ready to go home. There were some concerns about her going back to the basement of the apartment building but Mike assured her that Hannah would not be going down there ever again. Mike wanted to take her directly to his house where he knew she would be safe. Tom and Sasha lived across the street, Danny and Kara were on one side and Andrea and Russ were on the other side. Several of the guys had a duplex on the next block over. Mike could assure his family's safety and especially Hannah's peace of mind at his house, but in Christine's apartment, he couldn't.
At five am, they were released from the hospital. They had an hour or so before they had to be back to the apartment; and Christine had already called into work. Mike made the decision to take Christine and Hannah to Sally's. He knew she would be open and Hannah was sleeping in the backseat.
"Hey, Christy, are you hungry?"
"I could eat. And before we left the hospital; Hannah told me she was really hungry. Why?" Christine looked over at Mike and then looked at their sleeping daughter.
"A friend owns a restaurant. Serves a really good breakfast. It's Sally, I told you about her the other night." Mike turned the corner on the street that Sally's diner was on and Christine nodded at him. They had spoken about Sally and Christine was anxious to meet her.
"Sure. I could use a cup of coffee. Hannah is completely out though. What are the plans once we get back to the apartment?"
"I figured we would get the kids off to school and taken Hannah back to my house. We can all rest and then when it's time, I'll go get the kids from school and we'll do our weekend thing."
"I wish…I wish I had just moved in. This would have never happened." Christine had broken down just as Mike pulled into Sally's parking lot. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek. He didn't want her blaming herself.
"It's not your fault. What you suggested made sense. It was better for you and the kids. It was a decision I supported and worked with. If it's anyone's fault; it's mine for not getting home sooner. I knew you had to work late and I didn't get home til after eight."
"I was afraid you would be blaming Courtney." Christine had sat up and was wiping the tears off her face.
"I am trying really hard not to. It's a little hard and that is why I am trying to shift the blame on myself; so I don't do that to her." It was something Mike was deeply ashamed of. He adored Courtney but he was livid at her for what had happened to Hannah.
"Mike, I understand and I am in the same boat but we have to remember, no matter how angry we are at Courtney; we are still her parents, she still needs us and we love her. We have to let go of the anger."
"Yeah, I know. Easier said than done though. She has a lot of maturing to do. Guess it is a fake it 'til you make it type thing." Mike knew as soon as he said it; it was the wrong thing because Christine gave him "the look."
"Mike, you can't fake being her father or loving her. That has to be for real and you know it. You are going to have to act like you aren't mad at her; but you can't act like you love her if you don't. Now, I know that you do love her. I don't doubt in the least but you do because of this. I agree, she has a lot to learn and maybe I've coddled her and put too much on Hannah. We just have to remember, despite the anger and frustration where Courtney is concerned; we are her parents. The two people that should be in her corner, no matter what."
"You're right. It was a poor choice of words. I love Courtney. It is just going to be really hard to get through this. As far as coddling her; you have always been an excellent mom and Hannah only wanted to help you. I don't see that what you did was wrong." Mike kissed Christine's temple again and then opened the truck door while Christine jumped out of her side. He hoped Sally could put everything in perspective. Hannah had woke up and Mike carefully helped her out of the truck. He was still being careful not to touch her too much and Christine came around to guide the young girl.
"Does this place have pancakes?" Hannah was walking in between Mike and Christine and Mike nodded down at her.
"She serves a good breakfast. It's where I got that pie the other night." Mike opened the door for Christine and Hannah and nodded at Sally who was at the counter. He sat down next to Christine at a booth and Hannah got in on the other side. Sally walked over and sat a coffee cup down in front of Mike.
"These two lovely ladies must be your beautiful wife and daughter. What can I get you to drink, ladies?"
"I'll have a coffee, please?" Christine was glancing at the menu that Sally had handed her and Hannah was looking at her own.
"A hot chocolate?" Hannah seemed almost hesitant asking for anything but Sally nodded at her and smiled.
"Of course. Mike, I hate to ask but my truck just did a delivery and he didn't put the sacks of flour where he is supposed to. Mind helping me?" It was an unusual request from Sally and Mike looked over at Christine who just nodded at him. He had told her how he had talked to Sally when things got bleak, and Christine seemed to understand it. He stood up and followed Sally into the kitchen.
"What's going on with your girl?" Sally pointed him towards the sacks of flour and he began moving them to where she generally kept them.
"She was attacked last evening. Just got out of the hospital with her. She's my cherry pie eater." Mike didn't have to give all the details to Sally. She had already guessed them. He had called and asked her to make a cherry pie and he would be by later that evening for it.
"I just so happen to have one in the oven. I will get it to you before you all leave. Pretty girl. She has your bearing and her mother's looks." Mike had finished moving the flour sacks and they headed back into the dining area. Mike sat back down next to Christine and looked over her menu.
"What will we have?" Sally asked the three of them and Mike gestured to Hannah for her to order first.
"I want the…two pancakes with fruit, strawberries and a side of sausage links." Hannah pointed at the menu and Sally nodded at her.
"I want the sausage and egg croissant, please." Christine handed Sally both menus and eyed Mike.
"Three eggs, scrambled, ham steak, hash browns and two pieces of white toast. I also want a side of sausage links as well." Sally was used to Mike's large appetite but even Christine and Hannah looked at him in shock.
"Jeez, Dad, did you need some protein or something?" It was the closest thing that Hannah had said that was close to a joke and she even had a slight smile on her face.
"I didn't have supper last night and barely a lunch. I'm starving."
"It is a bit much, babe." Christine winked at Mike as Sally brought their drinks by.
"I know but…I'm hungry."
"I need to get home soon enough to fix the kids breakfast. I promised Mikey I would make him the oatmeal he likes so well." Hannah looked worried and was looking at the clock on the wall to estimate how long she had. With her left arm casted, she wouldn't be able to cook easily.
"Sweetie, I'll make the oatmeal for him. That arm is going to slow you down. Dad and I have both taken today off and we figured we would go to his house and rest there once the kids went to school. When I take Courtney to school, I will talk to your school counselor. Get your assignments and such."
"Okay. I don't want to go back there." Mike and Christine both looked at each other. Hannah was looking down at her hot cocoa like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Sissy, you need to go back to school. Not immediately but you'll need to at some point…"
"It's just…Dad, most of the guys go to school there. The ones from the gang. I don't want to go back there if the police can't catch them." Hannah looked pretty hopeless and Sally showed up with their breakfast, giving them something else to focus on.
"We will figure something out, Hannah. Just have faith in the police to do their jobs. Detective Sams said you gave a really good statement." Christine grabbed Hannah's plate and cut up the pancakes and sausage links because Hannah was having trouble. They had forgotten, she was left handed and having a lot of trouble figuring out how to use her right hand.
"Yeah, Hannah, the statement was impressive." Again, Mike used the wrong word, given the look Hannah gave him. It was an emotional minefield.
"Can we not talk about this here?"
"Yeah, let's drop it. So you good with staying at Dad's this weekend?" Christine gave Mike another look telling him to follow Hannah's lead.
"Yeah, that's fine. Maybe we can get my room set up with the stuff Dad bought for me Monday night?" Hannah had an almost hopeful look and Christine nodded at her.
"Of course. Are we repainting the room?"
"No. It's fine. We got a comforter and curtains and a rug and some pictures for the walls. And then maybe we can get Mikey and Sarah Elizabeth's rooms fixed up." Hannah seemed really excited about the prospect and Mike just stayed quiet. He wanted his family to feel at home and if helped Hannah heal to make it homier, he was fine with it.
"I want to repaint the kitchen. That red is terrible. What color do you think?" Christine had commented several times about the color of the kitchen and Mike knew that it was kind of a visual reminder of Helena for her. Repainting the kitchen was a very small price to pay for his affair.
"A brown would look pretty with the cabinets and countertops. Dad, can I have a piece of your ham?" Hannah had finished her own plate and had been eyeing Mike's ham steak for a couple minutes. Mike cut half of it for her, placed it on her plate and then cut it up into smaller pieces so she could easily eat it.
"Yeah, it would. Easy to cover the red up too. Mike, you know what's on your honey do list this weekend." Christine took a drink of her coffee and grinned over at Mike.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike had to smile at Christine and she leaned over and kissed him. Hannah had finished her food and Sally came over and cleared the plates and gave Mike the ticket. Mike stood up to pay the bill and Sally brought out the pie for Hannah. When he looked down at her, she was grinning from ear to ear at the box in Sally's hand.
"Thank you!" What shocked Mike and Christine was Hannah giving Sally a big hug. Sally was a complete stranger to Hannah, and Hannah, even on a good day, was not overly affectionate. It being the worst day of her life; hugging a complete stranger was a big surprise. Sally returned the hug and kissed the top of Hannah's head. Mike knew that Hannah had made a friend with Sally and was honestly grateful. As soon as Hannah pulled away, Christine pulled the older woman into a hug.
"Thank you for what you did for Mike." Christine whispered into Sally's ear and squeezed her.
"He's a special young man and you are exactly as he described you. He is beyond happy with you." Sally had pulled away but was rubbing Christine's arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Mike finally got his hug from Sally and they made their way out of the diner.
"We need to make this into more of a habit. I like Sally." Christine told Mike as they got in the truck and headed to the apartment. Hannah was visibly more nervous but also had an odd strength about her.
"We will. Sally loves you girls." Mike pulled into the apartment building and parked. As he helped Hannah out of the truck; Christine grabbed the pie and put Hannah between her and Mike. Christine was on her right side and grasped her right hand while Mike had an arm around her. Thankfully, Hannah was okay with him touching her and they made their way into the apartment building, which was quiet. Hannah glanced down towards the basement but buried her face in Mike's shoulder and they quickly moved her past it and up the stairs.
The trek to the fourth floor was a painful one for Hannah but she refused to have Mike carry her. By the time they got into the apartment, she was exhausted again and Mike settled her on the couch while Christine woke the twins up. They had silently agreed to just let Courtney sleep. Mikey and Sarah Elizabeth both ran up and started hugging Hannah.
"Hey, guys, you have to get ready for school and Mikey, Mommy is going to make your oatmeal. I will watch and make sure she makes it like I do. When we get home tonight, we are going to stay at Daddy's. Do you want to draw on my cast?" Mikey and Sarah Elizabeth were sitting on either side of Hannah and seemed to be assessing her every mark and bruise.
"Yeah! Hannah, you need to have Mommy kiss your ouchies. That always makes me feel better." Mikey was extremely serious and had stood up and pointed towards Christine who was in the kitchen starting the oatmeal. Mike was also next to her, making coffee.
"I only wish that could fix this." Christine said under her breath to Mike. She was still beating herself up and Mike put his arm around her and kissed her. They couldn't hear what Hannah said in response but Mikey had settled back down.
"Me too."
"Jeez, why are you guys so loud?" Courtney came out of the other bedroom, obviously mad about the early morning. Mike's blood started boiling and even Christine bristled up. They were both going to have to figure out a way to deal with their oldest daughter.