Lost Soul
Chapter 10
As Christine recovered, losing her temper become a common occurrence, but thankfully, she reserved most of it for Mike. She was mad at him for not being there when they needed him. When Lucas died. She blamed him for it all. One night, about a month after the returned home, Elizabeth found him in the living room with Josie. The baby was asleep and at first, she thought Mike was too, but he was staring into space.
"Son, Josie is asleep." Elizabeth said as she patted his shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. I was hoping if I could stay out here, Christine would be better rested and maybe in not such a terrible mood." Mike explained.
"Just be patient. She'll get better." Elizabeth said as she sat down next to him.
"I wish I was so sure." Mike remarked.
"Son, just talk. You need to get it off your chest." Elizabeth told him.
"When I first got here, before the surgery, Christine was so thrilled that I was here. I could see us doing well. She was so sweet. I wanted her to have the surgery; I suppose for selfish reasons. I wanted my wife back. Now, I'm remembering that the wife I left when I went to the Arctic was bitter and angry about me being gone all the time. I show back up in her life, pressure her to have a painful surgery and then tell her I've had a baby with another woman who doesn't want that baby." Mike explained.
"You did what was natural. You had a duty to serve and orders to go. No one could have known there would be a pandemic that would kill so many. Had you been home, you might have died too. As far as Christine's rape and beating is concerned, perhaps now it is time for her to have counseling to sort all that out? Don't give up on your marriage. Somewhere, deep down, Christine loves you. She always did." Elizabeth said.
"Before, you hated Christine." Mike remarked.
"I didn't hate her. I just didn't care for her but I have spent the past six years taking care of her. Watching her watch the window everyday as she waited for you. Watched her daughters grow up while Christine become more and more childish. Son, I know it seems horrible right now, but keep fighting for her. Maybe even romance her a bit. You weren't so good at that before. The girls are older and we can take care of Josie. Date your wife." Elizebeth said.
"I'm not even sure I can get her to leave the house with me." Mike commented.
"Tell her what you're doing. One thing about Christine that hasn't changed is that she hates surprises. Don't worry about Josie. Just concentrate on Christine right now." Elizabeth ordered before standing up, kissing Mike's forehead and heading back to her own bed. All she could hope for was that Mike would take her advice.