The Assignment
Chapter 4
Fortunately, Ashley had the next day off from school; giving her time to get the Slattery kids what they needed. Mike had made her start a savings account. Months that she didn't use all of her allowance, the money was put in the account. She had never been sure what purpose of the account was, but she could use it now. Mike would pay her back. She took all three kids to the doctor, where they were put on antibiotics and vitamins, and then to a clothing store to get some basics to get them by. She also purchased a cot to put in Sam's room for Joey, and bedding for the extra bedroom and cot. She also bought extra groceries.
Kaitlyn was still edgy and her health was more precarious then Hannah and Joey. She had some unexplained bruises and had pneumonia. Hannah and Joey were fiercely protective of her and Hannah had talked her into quitting her jobs. It didn't explain the bruising. Hopefully, when Mike was reunited with them, he'd figure it out.
He had not returned Ashley's call and she had even called his office to have him call her. They had told her he was touring the South Pacific fleet and was actually onboard an aircraft carrier, where he had encountered problems. The carrier was being sent to Pearl Harbor, and best case scenario, Mike would be able to fly back from there. It was not urgent enough for them to contact the carrier and to have him call her, but they knew if he called in, to either tell him the news or to have him call her. The one upside to Kaitlyn being there, was she seemed to enjoy cooking and baking. One day, after class; Ashley came home to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and banana bread.
"Where'd you learn this?" Ashley asked.
"Mom always had me help in the kitchen and then in one of the foster homes; I had to cook. It was my responsibility. Once we left; I missed it." Kaitlyn explained.
"Why'd you leave?" Ashley asked.
"I aged out and those homes aren't good places. So, I took Hannah and Joey. I imagine its illegal but Children's Services don't care. I just didn't know how to reach my dad. My story isn't believable, so I stopped trying." Kaitlyn admitted.
"Did something happen in one of those homes?" Ashley questioned.
"Nothing that was not normal in most foster homes. Foster kids are treated like slaves, and to fulfill all needs, even sexual. If I wasn't there, he'd turn to Hannah and that couldn't happen. It would have broke her. I at least had happy memories of Mom and Dad. Hannah was only eight when the Red Flu happened. She remembers them, but it is vague. And of course, Joey never knew." Kaitlyn said as she took another pan of cookies out of the oven. It made Ashley's heart break for Kaitlyn.
"And the bruises?" Ashley asked and Kaitlyn made a face.
"Just one of those things. No biggie. Alright; I've made chili and cornbread too. The chili is just in the crockpot and the cornbread is just about ready. Could you get the table ready and the kids washed up?" Kaitlyn asked, changing the subject.
"Sure." Ashley agreed. She knew the answers would be slow in coming, and painful; but the reunion with Mike would be beyond sweet.