Bitter
Chapter 23
Christine was exhausted. She checked on Katie who was sound asleep and went to Mike's room. He was sitting up in bed and staring into space. She cleared her throat and he looked towards her. She could have sworn that his eyes were red, but she took her sweater off and sat her purse down before she addressed him.
"Katie visit?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. We had quite the talk." Mike answered. He shut the TV off and tried to get comfortable again.
"Sorry I had to go home without explaining where I was headed. Was kind of an emergency." Christine remarked.
"She said that Parker got in a fight?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, but in his defense; the other kid kind of deserved it." Christine said.
"She also said that he was a bit hyper?" Mike continued.
"He is high-strung. Probably no more than Lucas but I was younger then." Christine remarked.
"She thinks me being home will help with the boys." Mike said.
"I think they could both benefit from having a strong male role model but that can't be your only reason for staying. It has to be because you want to. It can't be for me, or for the kids." Christine said. She sat down in the chair next to his bed and squeezed his hand.
"She had some other advice. Said once both of us is back to normal; I should take you out on a date." Mike said.
"Katie likes romantic gestures but I have to admit a date would be nice." Christine commented.
"What would you like to do?" Mike asked.
"A nice dinner…a bottle of red wine. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive." Christine said.
"Maybe once I get out of here and both Katie and I feel okay; we can do something once she can watch the boys." Mike said.
"Do you actually want to do that? You never wanted to before." Christine asked.
"I do. Maybe that was part of our problem?" Mike said.
"As I said; we built a friendship…perhaps with benefits, but not a marriage or even a partnership. That is all I want now. I don't expect fancy dates or any of that. Sure; being friends with my husband is good, but I didn't just want a friend. I wanted a husband. Still do. Mike; if you don't think you can be that; we need to just be done. I don't have the energy for this anymore. If you think you can do that; than yes; I will give you another chance and I will help rebuild this mess." Christine said.
"I wish you had told me I was doing such a bad job." Mike remarked.
"I probably should have but would you have listened?" Christine asked.
"I would like to say I would have but probably not." Mike admitted.
"Mike; I probably could have made things easier. You could have been a worse husband. You never, one time raised your hand to me. Sure, there were times you were emotionally abusive but never physically. You gave me and the kids beautiful homes, plenty of food and while money was never plentiful; we managed and I knew the lights and heat would be on. My kids would never know not having a meal or a comfortable bed. Of course, the Red Flu changed some things, but that was not your fault. Let's just get you and Katie home and then we'll figure things out." Christine said.
"I am so tired." Mike admitted.
"Go to sleep. I'll be with Katie but the nurse can get me if you need anything." Christine said. She stood up and pulled the blanket to Mike's chest before giving him a kiss on the forehead.
"Night." Mike said.
"Good night. I'll check on you in the morning. Sleep well, my love." Christine told him. She gave him another kiss and then left the room; hoping he got some rest; although she suspected he would be doing some soul-searching.