Looking Back
Chapter 2
"Now, Mike; the doctor said you pulled a stitch so you have got to stop moving around. We want this surgery to work. You aren't a good patient, and I'm a terrible nurse, so we aren't doing this again." Christine told him as she settled him back in the bed for the third time that morning. A week after back surgery, Mike was restless and he had promised Henry he would help him build a model airplane.
"There is so much I need to be doing." Mike argued and Christine gave him a look.
"No. There is so much you want to do. Nothing you have to do. Mike; seriously. Slow down. You had major back surgery last week. Just relax and let me and the girls take care of you. We want this surgery to be a success. You can handle being babied for a couple weeks." Christine told him.
"More like smothered." Mike commented.
"In love." Christine said before giving Mike a kiss and walking out of the room. As Mike watched her go, it reminded him of many years before; when he first met Christine. He couldn't shake her then either.
"Now; Christine; this is Michael Slattery. We assign all of our younger kids, what we call a buddy. He is to make sure you get your food, to your classes and whatever else is needed. He is a few years older then you and will take care of you." Mrs. Davis explained. Mike gave the little girl a once-over. She was thin, with a bruise covering most of her face, and was very skittish. Her dress was three sizes too big and her shoes had holes in them.
"Can I take her to get new clothes?" Mike asked, pointing at the dress.
"Yes. I called the clothing closet and Mrs. Garrison is working on it now. Show her around to the dorms and to the classrooms. The girl's dorm won't be occupied right now and she will be in Bed A2. Show her how to make a bed. She's a little young so it doesn't have to be perfect, but she will need to learn. You know the drill and remember what I said. Protect her." Mrs. Davis said as she gently pushed Christine towards Mike. Mike took her tiny hand in his own and began showing her around. The cafeteria, playground, clothing closet to get her meager wardrobe, and then finally to the girl's dorm where Mike showed her how to make the bed. The entire time, she stuck to his side like glue. It was lunchtime, so Mike led Christine to the cafeteria, where some of the older boys were already in line for their lunch. Mike kept Christine by his side because he knew they would cause her trouble.
"Who's this?" One boy; Gregory asked. He was fifteen and Mike didn't like him at all.
"She's the new girl. Her name is Christine." Mike said. Christine was currently shrinking behind him and shaking in fear.
"Let me see her!" Gregory said. Mike was well aware that Gregory had some raging hormones and that he had done things to some of the other girls. That was not going to happen to Christine.
"I'm telling you right now; stay away from her or else." Mike demanded.
"Or else what?" One of the other boys asked. Mike took the opportunity and sucker punched Gregory in the stomach. There would have been an all out fight, but Mrs. Davis stepped in.
"Boys, enough. Gregory; you are in lunch detention anyways. You too, Max and Christopher. Michael, I told you to protect Christine, but I didn't mean to get into a fight within an hour of meeting her. You must be more careful or you will be like Gregory and we don't want that." Mrs. Davis said as she patted Christine's back. The little girl was absolutely terrified and clinging to Mike like he was a lifeline.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike said.
"Now, help her get her lunch. Maybe introduce her to a few of the girls." Mrs. Davis instructed before walking away.
Mike helped Christine get her plate of food and sat her down next to him, at the same table as a few of the other girls. Mike was popular among all the girls, because he wasn't like Gregory or those other boys. He didn't harass the girls or try to sneak into the girl's dorm at night to touch them, or whatever else they did when they were in there. Christine barely ever spoke, but she quickly become involved in a conversation about dolls or something. Mike could only hope at some point, Mrs. Davis would assign her to one of the girls instead of him.
Mike had to smile, because over forty years later; Christine still clung to him like a lifeline. The bond had been immediate with her. They didn't fall 'in love' for six years after they married, but perhaps Mike had loved her from that first day on? Their marriage was about protecting her initially and it was still a basis. He was glad that wasn't the only thing their marriage was based on now, but it had been initially. And he was also glad that Mrs. Davis hadn't reassigned him.