Stuck
Chapter 4
Christine smiled as she watched Mike work on his photographs. His attention to detail was amazing. She had gone with him to take the photos, but she didn't have the same eye for it he did. Things that never looked like anything much to her were stunning photographs now. And Mike worked in black and white and sepia tones.
"So, people buy these?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Pay a lot of money too. Its how I afford this apartment. If I was to just have my income from the police department, I couldn't afford it." Mike answered.
"I never knew anyone who would buy these." Christine admitted.
"Its…a different social group than what you are used to. I have to have these for the gallery opening." Mike said.
"Am I going to that?" Christine asked. She knew she was distracting him but she was curious.
"Yes, but we need to get you a dress and shoes. I have to wear a suit as well." Mike answered.
"You need to get a suit?" Christine asked.
"I have one." Mike answered. Christine looked away. She had never been to anything that required someone to wear a suit or to have a dress and special shoes. She was beginning to feel very inadequate.
"Oh." Christine answered simply. She gave Mike a kiss and nodded. "I'm going to take a shower and go to bed." Christine said, hoping it would tempt Mike to join her.
"Okay. I have to finish these. Don't wait up." Mike said as he continued working on the photographs.
"Alright." Christine answered as she headed for the bathroom. She hoped Mike would follow her, but she had showered, and went to sleep before he joined her, several hours later and by then he only wanted to sleep, pushing her hand away gently when she tried to unbutton his boxers.
"I have an early morning and need to frame the pictures before I go to work. Not tonight." Mike told her. He had never rejected her before. They had sex, pretty much every day, even when he was tired.
"Did I do something wrong?" Christine asked.
"No. Just tired and need to sleep." Mike answered. He rested her hand on his chest and gave her a gentle smile.
"We always have sex, though." Christine remarked, still not understanding.
"Sometimes, though; we have to work and sleep. Nothing is wrong. Its just real-life." Mike answered, before turning on his side away from her. Christine let out a frustrated sigh, but also turned away from him.
True to his word, he was up early in the morning to frame the photographs before he went to work about two pm. Mike had promised her the next day; he would take her shopping for a dress and shoes. She spent her day looking at magazines for different styles. It was hard not to look at wedding dresses too, and dreaming. She could see herself marrying Mike, but she wasn't sure he felt the same way. She was beginning to have some serious doubts.
Mike was educated. He'd been to Europe. He had a normal childhood. He had a nice apartment and had friends that didn't call him from jail to bail them out. His parents called him every few days. He could afford a nice apartment and several meals out through the week. She knew that he didn't come from a rich family but he didn't seem to stress too much about money and bills. He hadn't even mentioned her getting a job. He knew far more about relationships and sex than her. She was beginning to get very conflicted by the relationship that had seemed so wholesome and good to her just a week prior.