Second Chances
Chapter 6
Mike knew one thing for sure; he had been blessed with an understanding daughter and friends who were willing to jump in and help. He had been subjected to meetings regarding the sinking of the James, even still on board the Michener. Maddie and Sasha kept Kaitlyn company because she was basically shut in Mike's stateroom, per Michener's captain's order. He knew the two women were already planning a shopping trip for Kaitlyn's room and clothes. It sounded expensive, but Mike didn't mind in the least. He was just glad he had a daughter to spend money on.
Once they got to Mayport, it was everything Mike could do to get Kaitlyn ashore and to his vehicle. Maddie was good help and Kaitlyn seemed to adore her. She followed Mike to his house, near the beach. Mike had to carry Kaitlyn up the stairs to his house and got her settled on his couch. Maddie helped him carry things in, and then headed to the local grocery store to get needed items for dinner. Mike helped Kaitlyn into one of his sweatshirts and then assisted her to his back porch so that she could see the beach.
"Its so pretty!" Kaitlyn said.
"It is. You have your choice of bedrooms, of course, but the one I had in mind for you has doors out onto the deck and you can open the windows and listen to the waves crashing. That's my favorite thing." Mike explained.
"I can see why." Kaitlyn said with a smile. While it was pretty out, there was a chill in the air and so Mike grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and covered Kaitlyn with it.
"Maddie has gone to get us some groceries. Would it bother you if she stayed the night?" Mike asked.
"Nah, that's fine. She can stay here all the time, if its up to me." Kaitlyn answered.
"You like her?" Mike asked. He had been most worried about Kaitlyn approving of his relationship. It was unorthodox and against the rules, but it worked for him and Maddie.
"Yeah; Daddy, I do. As nice as it is out here, I'm getting cold and tired. Can you help me in?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Of course." Mike said as he helped Kaitlyn out of the chair and into the house. She had nearly no strength at all and was weak. She settled on the couch, and was quickly sound asleep. Mike aired the bedroom out, changed the sheets and made sure the en suite bathroom was cleaned. It had a walk-in shower, with a bench so that Kaitlyn would be able to shower herself with no help when Maddie wasn't there. Finally, Maddie came back with groceries, a bag of things for Kaitlyn and a bag of her own clothes. Mike began supper, a chicken noodle soup while Maddie got situated.
Kaitlyn still hadn't talked a lot about what happenedHe to her, but Mike hoped as she got comfortable, she would begin to let it out. He also needed to get her into a doctor to have a more thorough examination, and he knew a therapist might help. His to-do list was long, but Mike didn't mind in the least.