Star Pupil
Chapter 6-Katelyn
Katelyn could tell as soon as her mother walked into the new house; that she was completely happy with it. For the first time in years, she smiled. She would make no bones about it, Katelyn was protective of her mother. Christine had sacrificed everything to protect her children. Her sanity, her health, her body and possibly even her marriage. She deserved a beautiful home. One where she could piece herself back together, if she ever could and Katelyn could tell her dad was prepared to sacrifice everything to make that happen.
She remembered the fights. Her parents tried to keep it away from the kids, but late at night, when they thought Katelyn was asleep, she would hear them arguing. She heard them use the divorce word more then a few times. But, she also heard them both say that they loved one another more than a few times. Early on, Katelyn recognized that both her parents had very strong personalities and they were constantly fighting for dominance. She also knew, the reason they got married was because Christine was pregnant, but they had built something. The fights were passionate, but the make-ups were even more passionate. It was just a constant tug-of-war.
Something had changed. Maybe it was because Christine was so weak and Mike had such an instinct to protect. They got along and there were times that Katelyn would catch Mike holding Christine's hand or would have an arm around her. And odder still, Christine was accepting of it. She was even seeking Mike out at times. It confused Katelyn, but she was glad to see it. She knew the chances of her parent's having a 'normal' marriage was small, but at least their marriage might survive. Christine was exploring the kitchen, planning meals for her family when Mike walked back in with a few bags from a craft store.
"Where's your mom?" Mike asked Katelyn.
"Kitchen. She is looking over everything." Katelyn said. Mike nodded and walked into the open-concept kitchen. Katelyn could hear them talking and so she watched for a moment to make sure everything would be alright.
"Hey; I got a few things while I was out. I remember you painting pictures when we first got married and I thought it might…help." Mike said.
"I have missed it." Christine admitted.
"I thought so. I figured, that sunroom would be good and there is plumbing on the one wall, so I could install a sink pretty easily." Mike said as he led Christine out into the sunroom, out of Katelyn's earshot and eyeshot. Despite that, it was incredibly sweet. Katelyn wasn't even aware her mom had painted, and wondered why she ever stopped. Maybe her dad was trying to give her mom back a piece of herself.
Katelyn knew when she got into the Academy, one way or another; they would be reunited with her father. Going into the Navy had not exactly been a lifelong dream, but while it lasted, Katelyn would do her best, and would make her father proud. His were big shoes to fill, and Katelyn had already decided that she wouldn't try. She would make her own mark, away from his. Still, half the time she wasn't sure if she was supposed to stand at attention and call him Sir, or hug him and call him Dad. It was an interesting situation for sure.