Shadows of the Past
Chapter 8
It was another few weeks before another vehicle pulled in. Christine went to the front door, hoping it would be Mike, but it was two men talking to Paul. She nursed the always hungry Jacob, as Katie had dubbed him. Molly was asleep in the homemade crib that Paul had made. Finally, Paul walked back in alone.
"Paul, why didn't you invite those men in?" Mary Alice asked as she rocked Rebecca to sleep.
"I didn't want them to know Christine and the kids were here. They said they work with Mike and wanted to take them to him, but I told them I didn't know where you were and we don't get along with Mike." Paul answered.
"Why?" Christine asked angrily.
"Because Mike wouldn't send strangers to get you. If he couldn't get you, he'd send people you knew. Did you know those men?" Paul asked.
"No." Christine admitted.
"He'll find you. I know it's hard, but it will be worth it. They gave me a business card, for an Allison Shaw. She works for the President or something. Still don't trust it." Paul said.
"Do you think they believed you?" Mary Alice asked.
"Yeah." Paul said, but Christine could tell he wasn't sure.
During the next few months, Paul heard things in town. First that Mike and his crew were traitors and then, that they saved the country. It sort of upset Christine, but she didn't have a choice but to accept it. Their food was getting a bit on the meager side and the kids were growing. Mary Alice and Paul went without two meals a day so that Christine and the girls had what they needed. Rebecca was now a year old and into everything, but a huge part of what kept them all going. Katie and Hannah were huge helps, but in Christine's opinion, losing their childhoods.
It bothered Christine because of how she had grown up. Her biggest goal as a parent was to create a childhood for her children that they could look back at happily. But, she wasn't the only parent in the same predicament. And Katie and Hannah were good girls. Katie helped her papa with the farm work and Hannah was wonderful with Rebecca, Molly and Jacob. They were Godsends. It only made Christine miss Mike more. Finally, one day an unfamiliar truck pulled in, and Christine heard Katie yelling happily. When she finally got to the front porch, she saw Katie, Paul and Mike walking towards the house. Christine's hip was still in bad shape so she couldn't run, but she met Mike half way down the porch steps and fell out in his arms.
"It's finally you." Christine sobbed into his shoulder.
"Hey, it's all okay. Sorry it took me so long. Katie said you'd been busy." Mike said with an ornery smile.
"Did she tell you about Jacob and Molly?" Christine asked. She was worried about telling him about Rebecca, due to the fact that the little girl didn't belong to them and wasn't the same race. Rebecca'a father had been Hispanic and her mom had been African American. It didn't bother Christine, but it might Mike.
"Yes, and Rebecca too." Mike answered.
"You okay with that?" Christine asked.
"Of course. Let's go in. I want to go in and meet my three new kids." Mike said as he helped her up the steps. She smiled back at Paul.
"Told you so!" Paul teased.
"Yes, you sure did." Christine answered.
NOT the end! It's hard to do the flashbacks due to using my IPad and the app! Bold and italics don't transfer well.