Bitter
Chapter 19
Mike was shipped out immediately, but was able to carry the box on board with him. He stowed them away in his quarters and put the notes in his pocket to read. The snacks and cookies were welcome and before Mike went on duty; he sent out a text to both daughters, expressing his appreciation and that he would be out of pocket for a while. He would email Christine later.
The days were busy and Mike knew that Tom was floundering. It seemed that PTSD was finally catching up. Mike just wanted to go home. Tom just…was a mess. Russ was just Russ. One day, Mike was standing on the deck looking out when Russ approached him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Russ asked as he handed him a cup of coffee.
"They aren't worth a penny." Mike joked.
"How's Katie?" Russ asked, knowing that was usually the basis of Mike's anxiety.
"Dialysis is taxing her system. Of course its all sunshine and roses from Katie but Christine is honest. They want her to have a transplant. Christine has already been tested and didn't pass. Hannah wants to be. I've given permission for that." Mike answered.
"And you?" Russ asked.
"Me what?" Mike asked back.
"Have you been tested?" Russ asked.
"No. If I am a match and give her a kidney, I can kiss my career goodbye." Mike said.
"Seems to me, that is a worthy exchange." Russ said.
"How would I support Christine and my kids if not for my career?" Mike asked.
"You've been in long enough to have retirement and benefits and could negotiate. You have lots of bargaining room. To me, the answer is simple." Russ said.
"Maybe, but you haven't done what I've done to my family. I've not just burnt bridges. I've torn up the train tracks leading up to them." Mike told him.
"Its not too late, you know." Russ remarked before walking away. As Mike looked out into the ocean; he pulled Christine's note out of his pocket and reread it. Maybe there was a road home?
The day that that James was shelled, Mike had put all of his letters in his pocket and had Parker's trophy on the bridge so he could fidget with it. He was able to grab it when the order was given to abandon ship. He hadn't accounted for having to talk Tom off a ledge, but he was glad he was there to do it. He couldn't get a call out and so by the time the Michener got to Mayport, he knew Christine and the kids were going to be desperate for news. But as soon as Christine answered the phone he knew something was wrong.
"Hey, I wanted to let you know I was okay." Mike said simply.
"Mike…Katie is in Renal Failure. She was admitted this morning. Hannah wasn't a match. I'm not sure what to do next." Christine said as her voice broke. Hearing her sob cut into Mike because of how strong and stalwart Christine had always been. When she finally stopped crying, she spoke up. "I am not asking or begging you to come home. I am telling you, if you want a chance to tell your daughter goodbye and to hold her hand…you probably should come home. Damn the Navy!" Christine said before hanging up. Mike didn't see President Reiss or Russ approach.
"Admiral Slattery, we need to have a meeting about the James. Figure out next steps." Reiss said. Mike narrowed his eyes at the man. He had missed precious time with his family because of Reiss' orders, granted he could have said no, but he would have been disobeying orders.
"Sir, with respect; I need to go straight to St. Louis. I have a bit of a family emergency going on. I just spoke with my wi…my wife." Mike said.
"Admiral, a legendary warship is on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. There are dead and injured crew. You have a duty." Reiss said.
"President Reiss; I have given everything to the Navy. Everything. I should have been at home, spending time with my daughter but instead; I've been climbing ranks, rebuilding the Navy, recruiting. It is probably too late to save my daughter's life now, even if I could in the first place. I didn't get to tell my son goodbye. I will be there for my daughter and once she is gone, I will pray I still have a place with my other children. You can court martial me if you'd like. I'm sure I can find a job in the private sector." Mike insisted. For some reason, it felt like there was a weight going off his chest.
"And if that happens; I will tell the media." Tom answered. That was the lenchpin with Reiss. He was constantly jockeying for photo ops and good media.
"Oh, fine; whatever!" Reiss said before walking off.
"Sir, I stepped away and you have a flight to St. Louis." Kara said.
"I'll take you and arrange for pick up at the airport. Which hospital?" Russ asked.
"I…didn't ask." Mike admitted.
"Who is her doctor? If we know a name, we can figure out an affiliation?" Sasha asked.
"I honestly don't know." Mike answered, feeling like he was two foot tall.
"We'll figure it out while you're in the air." Tom said.
"C'mon. I'll take you to the airport." Russ said. They walked to a nearby SUV that Danny had somehow commandeered for them and began the drive. Mike was expedited through security, even with his baseball trophy and was given a good seat in the plane. He had texted Christine but hadn't gotten an answer back, not that he expected to. She was concentrating on Katie, as he should have been.
