Together
Chapter 17
Christine was shocked when Carolyn Hicks showed up at the apartment one day, toting her two youngest kids. She was a little older than Christine but she liked her, and had taken and utilized a ton of her parenting advice for Katie. "I happen to know a few places that offer free day care. C'mon." Carolyn said.
"What?" Christine asked in confusion.
"Pack this little lady up and come with me. We will take them to a safe day care that I know of, and go for coffee." Carolyn said.
"Really?" Christine asked. It didn't even matter that she didn't drink coffee.
"Yes." Carolyn answered. Christine let them into the apartment and they quickly got Katie ready to go. A half hour later; she and Carolyn had settled at a little coffee shop. The kids were at a nearby 'play day care' and Carolyn had ordered Christine a chai latte, which was not as bitter as coffee.
"I don't usually do this sort of thing." Christine commented as she nibbled on a beignet.
"I try to about once a month. Just a few hours away from the kids. I get coffee, and do a little window shopping. Its cathartic. I had just not thought to invite you along." Carolyn admitted.
"Mike must have said something to your husband?" Christine asked.
"He did, but I should have tumbled to it quicker." Carolyn commented.
"Its okay. I just needed someone other than Mike to talk to. Katie is not always a good conversationalist, like her father." Christine said with a laugh.
"Well, she's not quite two, so that's part of it." Carolyn said.
"How do you do it with so many? I struggle keeping up with one." Christine asked.
"I buddied them up. The older ones help with their buddy, who is younger. How's it going for you on that front? Baby?" Carolyn asked.
"Not so far. My hormones have regulated finally, but no baby yet. The doc isn't sure I can even get pregnant and is worried once I do." Christine explained.
"I can't say that I ever struggled in that department, but my sister did. She had the same issue you have, but she and her husband just had their fourth baby." Carolyn said.
"What'd she do?" Christine asked.
"She stopped stressing. I also kind of asked her if there was anything else. She wrote down a few things. Monitoring your ovulation. Positions. She also gave me this book to give you. Its about fertility." Carolyn said. She handed Christine a book with a piece of paper stuck in it, and Christine put it in her own purse.
"It sounds simple enough." Christine said.
"I don't think its supposed to be overly complicated. Stop stressing about having a baby, and enjoy the time with your husband. It's the link you have with him. How you express your love." Carolyn explained.
"And there's the problem. I love Mike; but he doesn't love me. You've surely heard how we were pushed together." Christine replied.
"Doesn't he? I've seen the two of you together." Carolyn asked.
"Before my surgery; when I told him that I loved him; he said 'take care.'" Christine said.
"Some men are not good at expressing their love. I would say, Mike is probably terrible at it. And maybe, he doesn't realize he is even in love." Carolyn remarked.
"I think that's why we haven't gotten pregnant. Its not for lack for trying." Christine commented.
"Honey; it doesn't take love to make a baby. Katie is proof positive of that. I do think you and Mike are lacking some sort of connection, or intimacy." Carolyn remarked.
"I just want to love my husband and to have him love me back. Even if we didn't have a baby, I could handle it. When I was a teenager, all I wanted was to be a nun. A servant of God. Now; its changed." Christine said.
"Love will do that to a girl. Just be patient. I think Mike will come around, given enough time." Carolyn said.
"I'm not getting any younger." Christine said.
"You are…twenty-one? You have time. I hadn't even gotten married by then." Carolyn said with a laugh. She stood up and Christine followed her out of the coffee shop.
"I wonder how Katie is doing?" Christine asked, and Carolyn laughed again.
"Oh, she is probably having a great time and won't want to leave. Jimmy and Sarah never do." Carolyn said.
"She's not been apart from us that much. Occasionally, Mike's grandmother or sister will keep her, so I can go to doctor appointments. I got tickets for a comedy club that Mike likes for Friday and Grandma Hannah will watch Katie for us. Even overnight." Christine explained enthuastically.
"That will be nice for you two." Carolyn said as she peaked into a store window.
"If Mike can get off in time." Christine finished.
"Ah, the life of a detective's wife. I swear; Joe is gone far more than he was before. If he doesn't make it home in time; you'll just have to make a new plan. He will appreciate flexibility." Carolyn advised.
"I'm still learning that. You seem to have figured it out naturally." Christine said.
"Ah. I come from a family of firefighters and cops. And Joe has been a cop longer. I knew what to expect. Missed dinners and holidays. Arriving late to birthday parties. Its all part of it." Carolyn commented.
"So, it doesn't get better?" Christine asked.
"Not until retirement. It makes you enjoy days off and vacations all the more." Carolyn said.
"I suppose. Its just difficult to get used to. Of course; my own father wasn't home a lot. I feel like what Mike is doing is far more worthwhile." Christine said.
"Do you ever hear from your parents?" Carolyn asked.
"My dad calls about once a month. He made sure I had a place at my grandmother's funeral. My mom; I never hear from anymore." Christine said.
"Do you regret it?" Carolyn asked.
"No. I can't imagine saying to Katie what my mother said to me that day. Perhaps it would have been wise to just leave my marriage at a business arrangement but neither Mike or I have been able to do that. Even if he doesn't love me, he's not at a business arrangement." Christine said.
"Good. Stand by it. Now, let's go pick up the kiddos." Carolyn said. Christine smiled in response. It was exactly what she needed. A few hours away from Katie, and a talk with another woman.