North Stars

Chapter 1

Mike stood on the deck of the Michener, after the James sunk, looking at the sky. He had always had a fascination with the night sky. As a rookie cop; he would look at a full moon and groan. As a homicide cop, he would look at the lack of stars in the Chicago skyline and wish he could see the stars and smell fresh air. As a new sailor, he would see the wide expanse of the sky in the South Pacific and miss his young family and now, in the Gulf of Mexico, he was missing his family again. He looked up at the North Star and could figure GPS by it, but all he could think about was if Christine was seeing it. And the memories came rushing back.

"Mike, its late and the kids are in bed. You have an early morning." Christine said. She was disgusted that he was leaving again. She had threatened divorce and had already made a bed for him on the couch.

"Yeah, I know. I was just looking at the stars." Mike answered as he strummed an old guitar.

"Remember the night you asked me to marry you? It was under the stars and it had rained. You were walking me back to my parent's house. All of sudden, you got down on one knee and asked me. You hadn't planned it. Didn't even have a ring, but I didn't care. I was worried about your pants getting wet but it was still so sweet." Christine asked before sitting down next to him.

"I was shocked you actually said yes." Mike said with a laugh. He still strummed the guitar absentmindedly.

"Despite everything, I've never regretted that decision." Christine said.

"Even now?" Mike asked her.

"Even now. Mike; someday, you will be home so much that I will be begging you to find a hobby. But, for now, you are out there making this world a little safer for our kids, and so someday; we can sit out here and enjoy this, not worry about the jobs or any of that." Christine said. Mike sat the guitar down and gave Christine a soft kiss on the lips.

"I love you." Mike answered simply.

"I love you too. Now, bed." Christine demanded.

"Couch or bed?" Mike asked.

"Bed." Christine answered. She stood up, grabbed the guitar and his hand, pulling him up. And he followed her into the house and into their room.

As Mike concentrated on the stars, he wondered if Christine was seeing the same stars somewhere. The likelihood of her and their daughters surviving was nil. They would have surfaced by now, but still…he looked. And worried. And had nightmares. And the things he imagined were not good. So, the stars gave him peace and happy memories.