Shadows of the Past
Chapter 12
Christine was shocked by Mike's behavior because he refused to acknowledge what had happened between him and Katie the next morning, and quickly came up with an excuse that he was going to have to leave. What shocked her even more was that he wanted her to go with him and leave their kids on the farm. Of course; she refused. Her place was with her kids. She just never thought it might cost her her marriage. That night, as she watched Mike pack his bag; she wondered what had happened to the kind and compassionate man she had fallen in love with.
"Do you know when you'll be back?" Christine asked.
"No idea. I have to rebuild the Navy and work on recruitment. Some things are bigger than this family." Mike said.
"Really? Is that why you wanted me with you?" Christine asked.
"No. I just thought it would do you good to see a bit of the world. Mom and Dad can take care of the kids, and Dad has Katie to help with the farm. I'm not needed around here." Mike answered.
"If that is what you think; it's a pile of horse-shit." Christine said sharply.
"You've made your choice." Mike said.
"And what happens when we need you? It's not an if. It's only a matter of when." Christine asked.
"Call Great Lakes. They'll be able to find me." Mike said. It bothered her that he wasn't giving her a cellphone number or forwarding address.
"The kids and I will miss you." Christine said, not bothering to wipe the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.
"I doubt that. You have proven you are quite capable of managing without me. Mom and Dad will help you. Maybe as Rebecca and the twins get older; you can find a job. I will send money home when I can." Mike answered.
"Mike; are you filing for divorce?" Christine asked.
"I have no idea. I'll remind you; you have chosen to not go with me. I will leave early in the morning. I'll sleep downstairs so I don't wake you or the kids up." Mike said but Christine grabbed his arm.
"No. You will sleep up here with me, and you aren't in such a hurry that you can't tell the kids and your parents goodbye in the morning." Christine answered. She was surprised when Mike actually consented. He stripped down to his boxers. She didn't bother even trying to be intimate with him. Just having him next to her was enough; but unfortunately; sometime after she fell asleep, he slipped out of bed, got dressed and left the house. He was gone when they all got up, not even bothering to talk to the kids.
The younger kids simply didn't understand, but the rest of them were angry and hurt. Christine had no other choice but to continue keeping her kids safe. To her, it was best done at the farm. Schools opened back up and Hannah went back. Katie was too old and chose to continue working with her papa. She received her GED, but seemed to have no interest in college. Rebecca was in preschool and the twins were at her heels, curious about everything. Paul and Mary Alice were the most upset by their son, but were wonderful to Christine.
Every month a money order showed up from Mike, but there was no note and the postmark was never from the same place. He didn't bother to check on Christine or the kids, but he also never bothered to file for divorce. Still, Christine followed his career. He was re-estabolishing the Navy and she had read on the internet that he was involved with Andrea Garnett. It stung, but she had been expecting it. She knew it would take something drastic to bring him home, but it wasn't like they knew how to contact him.
Christine had gotten a job at the local diner, waitressing. It gave her a little money that wasn't from Mike or her in-laws, and allowed her to hear all the news. Word of the attack on Mayport came there first, and Christine suspected Mike had been there. Thousands had been killed, but still there was no word from Mike. A phone had been installed at the farm again and Christine had a cellphone. She was surprised when Tom Chandler called her one day a few weeks after the attack.
"Christine? I wanted you to know that Mike was alright. He's not where he can call now; but he is okay." Tom said in greeting.
"Good, but he hasn't bothered to get in touch this entire time other than to send me a money order every month. Why does it matter now?" Christine asked. She hated how bitter she sounded.
"I figured you had seen the news and was worried." Tom said. It occurred to her then, Tom was calling—not for Mike but for her. She shouldn't be so sarcastic.
"You're right. I'm sorry. Yes, I was worried." Christine apologized.
"Andrea Garnett was killed there." Tom said.
"I hate that for Mike. And yes; I had heard, even here." Christine answered.
"I don't know when he will be able to get in touch." Tom told her.
"Well; he has to want to. Just let him know; the kids miss him…we all miss him. We are okay here, but would be better if he would just come home." Christine told Tom.
"For whatever its worth; I think you made the right decision. Staying with the kids and I think Mike is realizing that." Tom said before hanging up.
The phone call made them all feel better, and in the back of her mind, Christine was happy that Mike was beginning to realize what he stood to lose. She had decisions to make before Mike came home, if he bothered. The one thing she had done was make sure Rebecca, Molly and Jacob thought Mike was some sort of hero. Hannah and Katie had a different opinion, but they kept it to themselves. If Mike ever came home; he would have to figure out a way to fix it all. That was the one thing Christine would not be able to do for him.