Shadows of the Past
Chapter 11
Things got worse before it got better, but finally; late one night, Mike reappeared. Christine didn't even realize he was there until he crawled in next to her. She immediately focused on the new scar on his side. It looked terrible and there was a new scar above his eyebrow. She leaned up and kissed him.
"You're home." Christine said simply.
"Yeah. Sorry I didn't call. I finally was released and just started driving. I looked in on the kids. They are sound asleep." Mike answered.
"Good. You'll be a nice surprise for them and your parents in the morning." Christine answered.
"That's the plan. I'm so tired." Mike said.
"Go to sleep. I love you." Christine answered before giving Mike a soft kiss.
"I love you too. We'll talk more tomorrow." Mike said. Within less than five minutes he was asleep. Of course with him there; Christine felt better, but she knew it was only a matter of time before he was called away again. All she could really do was get him healed up before he left again. Being careful of his injury; Christine wrapped an arm around him and cuddled close.
They both slept well and the next morning; Mike spent time with all five kids. Rebecca, Molly and Jacob were a little unsure of him, but Katie and Hannah were thrilled to have their beloved dad back and Paul and Mary Alice always loved having their only son there with them. They all recognized that Mike had been hurt and that his smile was a little faked. He was shorter with the kids and he and Katie had immediately started mixing like oil and water. About a week after he showed back up; they came into the house one afternoon arguing.
"You are too young to drive the tractor." Mike insisted.
"Papa has let me and I've learned to drive a car." Katie said. Paul gave her a sheepish look, not wanting to be involved in the argument between the father and daughter.
"You are too young." Mike repeated.
"Dad; I turned sixteen while you were gone, so legally I'm old enough. There just isn't anyone to do driver's tests anymore." Katie said.
"Stop back talking!" Mike yelled. Paul and Christine exchanged a look and she stood up.
"I'm…" Katie started but stopped as soon as Mike slapped her across the face.
"Mike!" Christine yelled.
"Michael; outside now!" Paul demanded. He pushed his son away to the side porch, while Christine tended to her oldest daughter; who was completely distraught. Her face was a little red but that was all, but her pride was another story altogether.
"Daddy has never done that before." Hannah remarked as Christine washed the tears off of Katie's cheeks. Mary Alice had taken the younger kids upstairs just before Mike and Katie came in, so fortunately; they hadn't witnessed Mike slapping Katie.
"No. Katie; I know this hurt and you may be angry at your dad; but I want you to think about something. He came back…different. I'm not sure why or what happened, but please don't hold this against him. He is your dad and he loves you so, so much. He wasn't so good at showing that today, but I promise; he already regrets this. I know its hard; but please forgive him." Christine told her quietly.
"It hurts." Katie said quietly.
"I know, honey. If you want to go upstairs; we'll cover your chores tonight. You aren't being punished. It might just help to create a bit of distance. Your dad needs to…think." Christine said.
"Okay. Maybe I shouldn't have back-talked." Katie remarked.
"No, but you really didn't do anything to cause this. You were only doing what you had been doing for months. I think in some ways, Dad was trying to keep you his little girl, and by seeing you drive that tractor; he's having to admit, you aren't anymore and he's missed out on a lot." Christine explained.
"I think I will go upstairs. I'm...tired." Katie said.
"Alright. I'll bring dinner up for you, unless you want to eat up there." Christine told her.
"Thanks." Katie answered before heading up the stairs. Hannah had followed her sister up and so Christine stepped outside, where Paul was lecturing his son.
"She has done nothing but help since she got here and honestly; I couldn't have ran this farm without her. She is doing adult work; and maybe its time for you to accept that." Paul lectured. Before Mike could say anything, Christine interjected.
"Mike; she's gone upstairs for the night and she wants left alone. I'll take dinner up but I suggest you figure out a way to fix this by tomorrow morning, because you will have to face it. I don't know what happened out there. I can only imagine, but we can't fix this since you won't tell us. By doing what you did; you did the one thing you promised me that you would never do to our kids. I feared my parents and you have made Katie and Hannah both fear you now." Christine said before going back in the house. All she had wanted to communicate to Mike was that he was going to have to fix it. She didn't have the energy for anything else. She finished dinner, and took a plate to Katie.
Mike was completely silent throughout the meal. Hannah refused to sit anywhere near him and he would just look at Katie's empty chair. For the first time since they had gotten together, Christine had no idea what he was thinking or feeling and it worried her to no end. And like her older daughters, a little bit of her feared Mike now.