Bitter
Chapter 26
Mike's release day finally came and Christine had to admit; she was nervous. By the time she got to his hospital room, Mike was sitting in the wheelchair; fully dressed and ready to go. After receiving directions from his nurse and the prescriptions, Christine went and got her SUV to meet Mike at the front door.
The first few minutes of the drive home was quiet. Mike would occasionally groan when she hit a bump and seemed tired. Katie was a good patient, but from all reports from Mike's nurses; he was anything but. Christine would have her work cut out for her. She finally broke the silence.
"The extra room is set up and the bed is ready for you to just crawl into and go to sleep." Christine said.
"Thanks. I am tired." Mike answered.
"I figured." Christine said with a smile.
"Are you okay with me staying in the extra room?" Mike asked. They had had a long conversation about 'dating' and Christine knew Mike felt that it was important for them to get to know each other again.
"Its fine. I understand." Christine replied.
"You're disappointed, though?" Mike asked.
"I just want my marriage back. If this is part of having that happen, fine." Christine told him.
"I know you do but I want you to be absolutely certain. Not just do it because it's comfortable." Mike said.
"Just don't let that be your cop-out. The other thing I was gonna ask about was with you retiring; how are we going to be with finances? Do I need to find a job?" Christine asked.
"I'm still negotiating terms. I would say we will be fine. Of course, with me being home, I can stay with the boys if you want to get a job." Mike said.
"Lets just wait it out. The boys need to get used to you being there before I start working. If finances will be okay, I can wait." Christine answered.
"Working is important to you?" Mike asked.
"I just want a chance to provide for my family and I also know that if this doesn't work out, I will need to work. Mike; no offense, but one thing our marriage has taught me was that I couldn't necessarily depend on you." Christine said.
"I want to change that." Mike said.
"I am sure you want to, but I don't know that you will follow through. Only time will tell and I really don't want to argue. We are home and I want the kids to see us getting along." Christine told him.
"Yes, ma'am." Mike answered.
"Mike…I know you are trying really hard. Some of it is trust issues for me. Just keep up. It is going to take me a minute." Christine told him. She reached over and squeezed his hand before opening the car door. "Wait a second. I'll help you out." Christine said. True to her word, she came around, opened the passenger side door and gently helped him stand up.
"I am so glad to be home." Mike admitted.
"I'm glad to have you here. Bed or recliner?" Christine asked as she unlocked the door.
"Recliner for now." Mike said. She nodded and then helped him into the living room and into his big recliner that the kids had bought for the last Father's Day. He had never actually seen it, just pictures.
"Its got a warmer. Do you want it on?" Christine asked. She had put the foot stool up and covered him with a blanket.
"If you don't care. Where's the kids?" Mike asked.
"I'm right here!" Katie said as she came out of her bedroom. She bent down and kissed Mike's cheek before giving Christine a hug.
"Hannah and Parker are at school until three and I need to go pick Liam up from preschool. He had an early day. Will you be okay?" Christine asked.
"I'll be fine." Mike answered.
"And I'll be right here too, Mom." Katie said.
"I may run by the grocery store. Do you need anything special?" Christine asked.
"I'm okay." Mike said. She nodded, tucked the blanket tighter around his chest and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"You get some rest. Sleep will be a bit harder to come by once the boys are home." Christine told him with a smile.
"Be careful." Mike said. She winked at him and nodded before grabbing her purse off the couch and headed back out the door. Katie settled on the couch and smiled at him.
"Dad; we are really glad to finally have you home. The boys have been drawing all kinds of pictures for you and Hannah and I made a basket for you. Its in the extra room." Katie said.
"Thanks, honey." Mike said, feeling very sleepy.
"Go to sleep, Dad. You're exhausted." Katie said.
"You too." Mike answered. About the time his eyes slammed shut, he realized it was probably not the right response, but it was too late to care and he was just glad to be home. It had been a long time coming. Too long.