Shadows of the Past
Chapter 2
Christine was exhausted, but Mike had a good breakfast before he left. His departures were always hard on the kids, and there were always tears. Mike always spent a few minutes with each of the kids, and finally it was Christine's turn. The kids scurried off to their rooms and she gave Mike a long hug.
"I'm going to miss you." She said into his shoulder.
"I'll miss you too. Last night was amazing." Mike said as he looked down at her.
"It really was. Your rucksack is packed with all the normal stuff." Christine answered, feeling herself getting emotional. She hated days that Mike left.
"Hey, its only a few months. I'll be home for the holidays and our anniversary." Mike said. He kissed away a tear on her cheek.
"I have a really bad feeling about this cruise…" Christine started but Mike shook his head.
"Just put that out of your mind. I won't be off the ship. Everything will be just fine." Mike insisted.
"Its just…things have been so rough between us and I love you so much and…"Christine continued.
"I love you too, and I understand. I really need to get going. Russ just pulled in." Mike said and Christine pulled him for another hug.
"I'll miss you." Christine said simply. He gave her another kiss, before pulling away, grabbing the rucksack and leaving. Christine watched him and Russ pull out of the driveway. She checked on the kids, who were occupied in their rooms, and sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. As the tears fell, she remembered back many years before, when she met Mike.
"I'm Officer Mike Slattery. What happened here, ma'am?" Mike said, addressing Christine's mom, Lenore.
"Nothing." Lenore answered. She had no respect for police officers, despite the fact that this one could help her. Her eye was bruising and her lip was split from the latest beating.
"Miss?" Mike said, addressing Christine.
"My dad beat her up, but she won't press charges. She never does." Christine answered.
"Where is he?" Mike asked.
"The bar. Where he always goes." Christine answered.
"It doesn't matter. Now, go. I don't want no cops here." Lenore answered, standing up and gesturing at Mike to follow her. She was already half way to the door when Mike handed Christine a business card, with a cellphone written on the back.
"If you need anything. My cellphone number is on the back. Keep it to yourself." Mike said before following Lenore out.
A week later, when Christine was thrown down a flight of stairs by her mom, Mike was the only call she made. Thankfully, he was off-duty so he didn't break any rules by taking her to the emergency room. She had three broken ribs, a fractured wrist and a slight concussion. She figured that he would take her to some abused women's shelter, but instead; he took her back to his little apartment. The first few weeks, he helped her get healed up and to get her high school diploma since her mom hadn't bothered. Quickly enough, they fell in love and Mike moved from the couch where he had been sleeping, to the bed that he shared with Christine. And for the first time in her life, she had a 'normal' life. And for the first time, she felt loved.