This idea presented itself after I wrote my Mother's Day story, but it is not connected to that story. Thanks to tmtcltb for the idea.
Lost Soul
Chapter 1
Elizabeth Slattery had always been tough. She had had no choice. Her husband had been a cop and was killed in the line of duty when she was seven months along with their son. Because of that, she had raised Mike to be a tough man and he was a son any mother would be thrilled with. When the Red Flu hit, and Christine called her from Deer Park, deeply traumatized and retreating into her own mind, Elizabeth knew what she had to do. She took Christine and the girls and then found a place for them to hide.
Christine had been attacked at Deer Park, and most days, she barely existed. The girls got frustrated with her, but Elizabeth understood. Between losing her only son, and having been so brutally attacked, Christine just couldn't function anymore. Elizabeth also thought there might have been a head injury that caused some of the issues. Whatever had happened, Christine was a shell of the strong woman she had been years before.
Elizabeth knew she had to do something. Christine required care and Elizabeth had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had quietly followed Mike's career for years, and knew he was retiring. It was time. So, she got ready to go to St. Louis. The girls weren't particularly happy to be reunited with their father, but the one Elizabeth was most concerned with was Christine. She was sitting in a rocking chair, staring into space when Elizabeth knelt down next to her.
"Christine; it is time for me to go. I am going for Mike." Elizabeth said. Shockingly, for the first time in years, Christine smiled.
"Mike? I've missed Mike." Christine told her.
"I know you have. I have too. With me being sick, he needs to be here and you need help." Elizabeth said.
"I've missed Mike." Christine repeated, still smiling.
"I know, honey. I should be back in a few hours. Tell the girls when you get hungry, okay?" Elizabeth said.
"Okay. Tell Mike that I want to see him. I've missed him and I love him." Christine said.
"I will." Elizabeth promised before kissing the top of Christine's head. In the years that had passed, she had come to love Christine as a daughter. They hadn't gotten along before, but Elizabeth adored the younger woman now. She hoped being reunited with Mike would help Christine. She gave both Kaitlyn and Hannah a list of things to do while she was away, mostly to take care of their mother and began the drive to St. Louis.
The secretary at Mike's office was dismissive, so Elizabeth waited just outside of the employee parking lot for what felt like hours, until she saw Mike approach. It took a moment for their eyes to connect, because he was talking to a man as they both walked.
"Mom?" Mike asked as he got closer. Elizabeth nodded and pulled Mike into a hug as soon as he was close enough. He was older. His hair was grayer and thinner, but he was still strong. "How? I've looked everywhere." Mike asked as he finally pulled away.
"I kept myself, Christine and the girls secluded." Elizabeth answered. She hoped it wouldn't make him mad, but she wasn't going to apologize for it.
"Christy and the girls? Where are they? I want to see them." Mike asked, searching around the parking lot with his eyes.
"Is there somewhere we can talk?" Elizabeth asked.
"Russ; can you let the office know I won't be in for a few days. I'll be available by cell." Mike told the man that was with him.
"Of course, Sir. Take all the time you need." The man said before walking back into the office building.
"There's a coffee shop close." Mike said and Elizabeth nodded. She followed him to the coffee shop and they sat down with cups of coffee and pieces of pie. "So, what happened?" Mike finally asked.
"When the Red Flu hit, I was still able to hide out in my apartment. I knew Lucas had died, and I knew Christine and the girls were at Deer Park. One day, Christine called me, begging me to pick them up. Something was off about how she talked. When I got there, I found her and the girls. This is difficult…she was raped and severely beaten by the man running the camp. I got her and the girls out and began just driving. In hindsight, I suspect she had some sort of head injury, but I couldn't take her to a hospital because she would have gotten sick with the Red Flu. She…has never recovered and has become very child-like. The girls get frustrated with her, and I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Its stage three and I have every intention of fighting it, but Christine needs care. You might have moved on with someone else, but you owe her this. I followed your career and knew you were retiring, so I knew it was the right time." Elizabeth explained. She could tell Mike was in shock.
"I haven't ever…moved on. Just never felt right." Mike finally said.
"Then you will help us out? The girls won't make it easy for you and Christine can be a handful, but Mike; I need you, son." Elizabeth begged.
"Of course. Did she know you were coming here? Did she understand?" Mike asked.
"Actually, yes. She was genuinely excited when I told her. She spoke of how much she had missed you and that she loves you." Elizabeth said with a smile. She knew Mike understood that he would never have a conventional marriage again, but maybe with Mike around; Christine would do better.
"I've missed her…all of you, really." Mike remarked.
"Mike; things will not be easy for you. The girls are angry. They feel you should have found us and don't understand that I kept us secluded. They don't understand why Christine hasn't just magically recovered either. And she might never be able to be a proper wife again. If you do want out of the marriage, I understand and will find a way to explain it to her. She may not totally understand, but it'll clear you of any responsibility towards her." Elizabeth told him. It needed to be said, no matter how distasteful.
"No. I won't divorce her like that. If it did ever come to that; I would be the one to explain it to her." Mike said.
"Okay. Well, I'm sure you want to see them. I can give you my address and you can follow me back?" Elizabeth answered, glad to hear what she was. She had raised Mike to be loyal, and he was proving it.
"Yeah. I'll need to go by my apartment to get some clothes." Mike said and Elizabeth nodded.
"Alright. I suppose it's time." Elizabeth said before standing up. Mike paid for their coffees and pie and then gave Elizabeth another big hug.
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you for taking care of my girls for me." Mike told her. He had always called Christine and their daughters his girls. It made her smile. Elizabeth gave him a kiss on the cheek and then wrote down her address. They parted ways, and it was a long drive back. Once she arrived home, she gave Christine a shower, and fixed her hair. She even put her in a newer pair of pajamas. Christine had remembered that she was going to see Mike, and seemed to understand that Elizabeth was preparing her for his arrival, which made Christine smile again.
"Ready for Mike!" Christine said with some excitement. Of the two girls, Hannah was a little bit more patient with Christine and Hannah gave her a smile.
"He'll think you look really pretty today, Mama." Hannah said. She had painted Christine's fingernails and helped her into a sweater.
"I hope." Christine told her. Hannah leaned down and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek and Christine patted Hannah's arm. There were times that small glimpses of the old Christine came through. A great mother, a confident woman and loving wife. It was fleeting, but wonderful to see when it did happen.
"He's excited to see you three." Elizabeth answered.
"Will he sleep in my room?" Christine asked and Hannah looked at Elizabeth, not knowing what to answer.
"I cleaned out the spare room and found a bed and other furniture. I would imagine he'll be in there." Elizabeth answered.
"I want Mike with me. I feel safe when he's close." Christine insisted.
"How about this, Mama; when he gets here; we'll let him decide?" Hannah suggested.
"I really want him close." Christine told her. She was getting frustrated, which was never good. Just then, a truck pulled into the driveway.
"I think he's here. I'll go out." Elizabeth told her. Christine was still sitting in her rocking chair and Hannah handed her the baby doll that Christine held onto when she was having a rough time. It made her seem even more childish, but Mike needed a full view of what he was walking into. Elizabeth met him on the porch and stopped him from just walking in. "Mike; Christine is really excited to see you. You might comment on how pretty she looks. Also, she is not fully understanding why you may not want to sleep next to her. Its up to you in how you deal with it. She has a queen sized bed, but there is another option open if you want it. She was getting fairly upset about it." Elizabeth told him.
"Alright. I'll figure it out." Mike said.
"Also, Hannah does help some with her. You might mention it. I don't know how Hannah will react to you. Kaitlyn is still pretty angry." Elizabeth said as she walked to the door and Mike nodded at her. He followed her into the room where Christine and Hannah were. As soon as he walked in, Christine gave him a dazzling smile.
"You came back!" Christine exclaimed. Mike smiled back at her and knelt down in front of her, grasping both her hands in his.
"Finally. You look so pretty. Can I give you a hug?" Mike asked.
"Yeah." Christine said and Mike very carefully gave her a very gentle hug. As Elizabeth watched the scene, she knew; Mike was back for good. He would take care of Christine while Elizabeth battled cancer.