Shadows of the Past
Chapter 5
The safe zone was quickly compromised, and so Christine packed Katie, Hannah and Rebecca; the orphaned baby girl she was taking care of, up. She began driving and avoiding stopping at busy places. Finally, two days later; she pulled into the farm where Mike grew up. It was not a place that she had spent a lot of time at and she wasn't sure she would find Mike's parents, but she knew it would be safe. She made the decision to leave the kids in the car, under Katie's care until someone opened the door or she could check the house. She was walking up the porch steps when Mike's mom swung the door open. Christine had always had a deep respect for Mary Alice, who was the polar opposite of Christine's mom.
"Oh, Christine! Paul and I've been so worried about you and the kids. Where are they?" Mary Alice asked as she gave Christine a hug and then looked down at her belly in shock. "A baby?" Mary Alice asked.
"Yes." Christine answered before gesturing at the girls. "Lucas died. I'm sorry. The baby that Katie is holding was orphaned. I took care of her at the safe zone I was at. I couldn't just leave her once it was compromised." Christine explained.
"Of course not! Girls, come on." Mary Alice said. They followed her into the farmhouse where Mike grew up and the girls settled onto the couch while Christine fed Rebecca a bottle.
"Lucas died pretty early on, and Mike finally got ahold of me. Told me to go somewhere where he would know to check. He doesn't know about the baby…either of them. The connection was bad when he called. I barely was able to tell him that Lucas had died and that at that point, we were alright. I hope we can stay?" Christine asked.
"Of course. I better go talk to Paul and explain. He's been particularly worried. Is Mike alright?" Mary Alice asked.
"He was when I spoke with him last. I am worried, though." Christine said.
"I'm sure." Mary Alice answered before going out the back kitchen door. While Christine fed Rebecca, she remembered the first time she had visited the farm and how intimidated she had been by the very close family. Mike was an only-child and his parents doted on him. They had plans for him to marry the daughter of family friends, which would bring Mike back to the farm, rather then being a cop in Chicago. Christine's first visit was a bit icy, but Mary Alice and Paul eventually accepted her.
Christine had never been out of the city, so the expansive farmland was almost a treat to her. She and Mike had only been 'together' for a few weeks and everything about the new relationship was exciting and fresh. It had never occurred to her that some people would not approve of it. Sex before marriage and living together before marriage was still considered a sin with the people Mike grew up with. It had all been a part of Christine's life before she met Mike.
"We will have to sleep in separate rooms." Mike told her as he drove.
"Why? I like sleeping next to you." Christine asked. She was young and the relationship with Mike was the most serious, wholesome relationship she had. She saw nothing wrong with it.
"I know, but my parents won't approve. Its just easier right now. Unless and until we marry, its just gotta be." Mike told her.
"Is there something wrong with you and I?" Christine asked.
"You are younger and living together is looked down on in this town. I wouldn't change anything, but I don't want to upset my parents." Mike answered before pulling into a driveway. The house was the biggest Christine had ever seen, with the freshest paint and a well-kept yard. A tall, blonde woman stepped out and immediately gave Mike a huge hug and gave Christine a once-over.
"So, this is the woman that my son has traded his future for." Mary Alice said.
"Mom, be nice. Christine, this is my mom; Mary Alice. Mom, this is Christine." Mike said. Mary Alice simply sneered at her.
It was not a pleasant memory, but eventually; Christine was able to endear herself to Mary Alice and Paul. They treated her with love and respect, and Christine was able to see what a normal parent-child relationship should be. It might have had something to do with blessing them with grandchildren, but it worked for them. And now; they were the only people Christine could depend on.