World View
Chapter 10
Michelle actually felt a little sorry for Tom. She knew how Mike felt about him and she also knew; it was important to Mike they patch things up. He had told Michelle that Tom was the only other person still living who had known his kids. They were meeting, at Mike's suggestion at a diner. Tom was waiting on her.
"Sorry I'm running late. Mike was needing some stuff at the hospital." Michelle said. The waitress took their drink order and Michelle waited for Mike's response.
"Isn't he being released today?" Tom asked.
"Yeah. It was clothes. I'll pick him up, and if its still okay; bring him back to your house. Its going to be a couple weeks before his is done." Michelle answered.
"Yeah; its fine. Will it be done before your wedding?" Tom asked.
"No, but he'll be with me then. I really want the house to be just right for him. He needs a home. It'll help him recover." Michelle said.
"I…agree." Tom answered awkwardly.
"Tom, I'm going to be completely honest. I love Mike. It was not a relationship I foresaw happening, but I love him. I also know; Mike needs you. He said that you are the only other adult he knows that knew Christine and the kids. He knows Ashley and Sam knew them, but its not quite the same. He needs that. So, as much as I love him, and as much as he loves me, I won't take that from him. I will call off the wedding." Michelle said.
"You'd do that? Its that important to you?" Tom asked.
"It is. As I said, I love Mike, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but you are an important part of that. I don't care about his career, his money or his power. He treats me and my kids with respect and love. That means a lot, especially since my first husband didn't." Michelle answered.
"He told me about your first marriage. How everything happened. I'm sorry." Tom said. When he thought about it, it was horrific what Michelle had been through.
"Don't be. I had four beautiful children. One has died now, but the other three are amazing." Michelle remarked.
"I think that is what Mike misses most. Christine dying is one thing, but the kids dying…its hard. Their birthdays are particularly hard." Tom said.
"I need to know those dates so I can be prepared." Michelle said.
"Kaitlyn's was May 1st, Hannah's was November 22nd, and Lucas' was August 17th. Their anniversary was September 1st. Funny how I remember those dates as well as I know my own kid's birthdays." Tom said. Michelle had taken a notepad out of her purse and took notes.
"Anything else?" Michelle asked.
"He won't eat pickles. It was a thing he shared with Hannah. Here a while back, before the cancer, he was over for dinner. Sasha didn't know and put some on his plate. Mike wouldn't eat them and got rather emotional. He also has a weird thing about Thanksgiving. Mostly because he promised Lucas he'd be home before Thanksgiving when we went to the Arctic." Tom explained.
"I see." Michelle said.
"He and Kaitlyn were struggling a little. She'd hit that age where her parents weren't her heroes anymore and resented Mike's absence. He feels real guilt about that. They had a huge argument before he left, which led to issues with Christine. I don't know all the details, other then Kaitlyn told him she hated him and Mike didn't respond. It was also Kaitlyn that he never got confirmation of her death." Tom explained.
"He had mentioned not having confirmation. Do you think she's alive?" Michelle asked.
"No, but Mike hopes. Thinks she has stayed hidden because of that argument." Tom answered.
"Well, its unrealistic, but its not right to take that hope away." Michelle remarked.
"We are working on an article with a reporter. She thinks it will be shared nationally. If Kaitlyn is out there somewhere and reads it, it might draw her out." Tom said.
"About Mike?" Michelle asked.
"Yeah. For years, I've had almost celebrity level attention, when it was Mike that really sacrificed everything. I'm tired of it. And he doesn't know." Tom said.
"I won't say a word." Michelle said.
"Alright. I will shut my mouth about the two of you getting married. I was just afraid someone was taking advantage of Mike. If you were in it for money or whatever, you wouldn't have said you'd call it off. You would let this destroy our friendship. That says a lot." Tom said.
"I really do love Mike and I will do anything to help him." Michelle said.
"Likewise, just in a totally different way." Tom remarked. He paid for their drinks, and shockingly gave Michelle a hug. Even Michelle was shocked.
"It was nice to talk to you. I hope we are on the same page now." Michelle said as they left the restaurant.
"I think so." Tom agreed. By the time it was all said and done, he actually liked Michelle.