Together
Chapter 3
Mike knew he had gone too far with Christine, but she hadn't stopped him. Of course, raised the way they had been, she might have been scared to. Mike had a theory that she wasn't as committed to being a nun as she thought she was. The week had gone by quickly and on Thursday when Mike got home from work, his grandma was there with all sorts of stuff.
"Grammy, what is all this?" Mike asked as he looked at the bubble bath, wine, chocolate, and containers of homemade soup.
"She is going to be in some pain Sunday. A decent man will fix her some soup, draw her a bath, and feed her chocolates and wine." Grandma Hannah said.
"She's only eighteen and giving her wine is contributing to the delinquency of a minor." Mike remarked.
"Don't be obtuse. It might be illegal, but she'll appreciate it. Mike, Saturday is going to be very traumatizing for her but you can make it better. Who knows, you and she might even grow to love each other. She's a good girl, and I think she wants to be a good wife. She asked Alice and I for some of your favorite recipes." Grandma Hannah said.
"None from my mom?" Mike asked.
"Your mom has never cooked a meal for you. Alice and I raised you and Kathleen, which what makes what you did with Fiona wrong. Fiona is her daughter, and when she saw you take Christine up to the attic, it broke her heart." Grandma Hannah admonished him. Mike had messed around with Fiona a few times, but they both knew it was just fun. Mike felt nothing for Fiona.
"Fiona knew nothing would happen. And I was careful. There won't be a pregnancy." Mike said.
"It was still wrong. Alice is going to send her to some family in Florida to make things easier for you and Christine. It doubles Alice's work and she'll miss her daughter, of course. I gave her money to send Fiona away." Grandma Hannah told him.
"What a mess." Mike remarked.
"It's a mess that you made. I just hope you are more selective when you choose a mistress." Grandma Hannah said.
"I won't. I already promised Christine I would be faithful." Mike said, figuring it would make his grandma happy. She had lectured him about being a good husband.
"Oh, Mike. That was stupid. In theory, yes. You should promise her that, but you will struggle providing it. She will hold you to a very high standard." Grandma Hannah told him.
"I thought it was the right thing to do. Grammy, I'm not sure how to do this." Mike admitted. Grandma Hannah patted his cheek and smiled at him.
"Treat her like she's the only woman in the world. Be gentle. Don't raise your voice. Don't force her to do something she isn't ready for." Grandma Hannah said.
"I just wish I knew her better." Mike said.
"I know, son. Just be good to her. I can see a scenario where you have a good marriage." Grandma Hannah told him before giving him a hug.
"I don't want to hurt her Saturday night." Mike admitted.
"There is a scenario that you could just sleep on the couch, but it would be prolonging the inevitable and knowing your parents and hers, they would figure out a way to check the sheets." Grandma Hannah said.
"Grammy, gross." Mike said.
"Oh, she might bleed a bit. Just be easy and careful. Hopefully her mother will have told her what to expect. I'd better go home." Grandma Hannah said.
"Do you need a ride?" Mike asked.
"I was going to get a taxi." Grandma Hannah answered.
"Nope, I'll drive you. Maybe take you to Arby's." Mike said. It was his grandma's favorite restaurant and he frequently took her.
"Ah, a date with my handsome grandson before he is too busy with his wife." Grandma Hannah said with a smile.
"Nah, she'll have to understand about the Arby's dates." Mike answered. He gave Grandma Hannah his arm and escorted her to his truck.