Bitter
Chapter 6
It had taken him longer than he anticipated getting back to his family. First came Rachel's murder and since law enforcement had been so hard hit, it was up to Mike to solve. Thankfully, it was pretty open and shut. Then they began getting the government set up and housing secured. He had found a single story, fou- bedroom Craftsman style house in Saint Louis. It allowed for Mike to be close to his daughters when he was home and for him and Christine to be separated.
He had not intended on moving back in with her, but it was easier with his benefits package and would probably help his kids. Once the house was equipped, he made the drive to Jed's cabin. Tom had warned him that Christine had been injured chopping wood, but Mike figured she was exaggerating. Its why he hadn't hurried to Virginia. Jed answered the door before Mike had a chance to knock and let Mike in.
"Tom will be here a little later today. Where is everyone?" Mike asked.
"In with Christine. She is having a lot of trouble." Jed said.
"She has no pain threshold." Mike remarked.
"It cut to her bone and I had to remove bone fragments. Once you get her back to St. Louis, she needs medical treatment. Trust me, she's barely complained." Jed said. He led Mike into an adjoining room where Christine was sitting up against the headboard of a bed. Hannah immediately ran for Mike, and after hugging both of his girls and Tom's family, Kelly and Ava giving them some privacy, Mike focused on Christine's leg. He could see fluid on the bandage and she was very pale.
"Mike…did you bring the crutches?" Christine asked.
"Yes. They are in the truck. I just didn't think it was this bad." Mike remarked.
"She needs a bandage change. Do you want to do it? Or I can get Mr. Chandler?" Katie offered.
"Go ahead and get him. I need to watch to see how he does it." Mike said. Katie nodded and left the room. A moment later, Jed came in with a basin of water, scissors and freshly cut bandages. "Hannah, I know you want to stay with your mom but maybe you should go in the other room?" Mike suggested. Hannah looked at Christine and she nodded at her.
"I'll be okay, baby." Christine told her. Hannah hugged her around the neck and ran out of the room. As soon as she was out, Jed began cutting away the dressings.
"Okay, so I stitched it but there is some seepage. I have to gently pull the bandages away from the wound without ripping them. Its easier to wet them and causes less discomfort." Jed explained. Mike had looked up and could see how intensely painful it was for Christine but he focused on the horrific wound on her calf.
"She should see a doctor!" Mike said.
"None close. All the more reason to get her packed up and headed to St. Louis. Maybe there is one there?" Jed asked. "How has this not gotten infected?" Mike asked as he felt Christine's leg. Fortunately, there was no heat but Mike wasn't sure how. Despite the stitches, the wound looked terrible.
"Probably because I've kept it clean but she needs antibiotics badly." Jed answered.
"Let's get this rebandaged and get her loaded up." Mike said. He began helping Jed, lifting Christine's leg, then getting the crutches. It took quite a bit to get her on her good foot and she was in a great deal of pain.
"It might be easier to just carry her." Jed remarked. Mike nodded in agreement. He put an arm around Christine and once Jed had the crutches out of the way, he picked her up. Fortunately, she was light and didn't fight him at all, showing just how in pain she was. Shockingly, Mike didn't even mind when she put her face into his neck. He settled into the backseat of his truck and a few minutes later the girls come out with their belongings, as well as Christine's.
"Okay, Hannah; you have to stay in the back with Mom. She needs to elevate that leg on your lap, okay?" Mike asked as he helped Hannah into the back seat and then helped Christine lay her leg over Hannah's lap. Jed was helping getting everything packed into the back of the truck under the bed cover and Katie was helping him and reassuring her mom.
"I've only been able to give her some Tylenol. Didn't want to give her aspirin or Ibuprofen due to thinning the blood." Jed explained.
"Yeah. Soon as I find somewhere safe to take her, I will. I don't think she can handle getting all the way to St. Louis." Mike remarked. Kelly appeared and put a pillow behind Christine before shutting the door. Jed leaned back from the front passenger seat and gave Christine a smile.
"We will see you in St. Louis. Take care, sweetie." Jed said.
"Thanks for taking care of us. We wouldn't have gotten through without you." Christine said.
"Yes, thank you; Jed." Mike said.
"No problem at all. Christine was a huge help and the girls are wonderful." Jed answered. He helped Katie into the front seat while Mike settled in the driver's seat.
"Take care and we will see you in St. Louis." Mike said. Jed nodded and in a moment they were on the road, with Christine groaning when he hit a bump. It was going to be a long and painful trip for her.