Author's note: Sorry about the wait! I've had a bit of trouble writing in general the past week and haven't done much of it. Sorry about the break in my Breaking Through stories as well. I've lost the story a little. Hopefully I'll get that one back soon and finish it up. As for now here's a chapter for this one! It's pretty long so happy reading and let me know what you think. Dark rolling sea.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mike stood in the hallway a moment trying to wrap his head around what just happened. He absently touched his fingers to his lips and looked back at the closed apartment door down the hall. He was a little disappointed that Tom was in town because it meant he had to come back to his own place. He shook the thoughts from his mind and sighed. Closing his eyes tight he cleared his mind and entered his own apartment, locking up as he came in. Tom was standing in the doorway to the guest room when Mike came in.
"I think I'll turn in for the night," Tom said. Mike just nodded at him. "You, okay?"
"Huh?" Mike asked as he looked up at Tom.
"I asked if you were, okay," Tom repeated. Mike looked at him for a moment.
"Uh, yeah, I'm, okay. I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay," Tom replied. He watched Mike for another moment then nodded slowly and disappeared into the guest room. Mike went to his own bedroom and stretched out on his bed. His mind was spinning, and he wasn't sure what this new development meant. He sighed and attempted to go to sleep. He tossed and turned for a while before he slipped into a fitful slumber.
He dreamed of Ginny, and the boys, and a life that could be. Somewhere in the night the dream took a dark turn as his dead family invaded the life with his living family. He woke early Saturday morning felling drained. He got up and started his morning routine knowing that Ty and Wyatt would be there in a few hours. Tom came out of the guest room an hour and half later and sat down that the table. Mike had coffee ready.
"You look like you had a rough night," Tom said. Mike smiled quickly and then nodded.
"Yeah, sometimes the dreams can get me," Mike mumbled. Tom nodded as if he understood.
"Life really did a number on us didn't it," Tom replied as he rubbed the back of his head. Mike nodded.
"Life of a forced hero," Mike sighed. Mike checked the clock. The boys would be there any minute.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Tom asked.
"I'll have the boys today, but we'll hang out here, or we can go do something," Mike replied.
"I'm good with just hanging out," Tom said. Mike nodded as he heard his front door open. He glanced over and saw Ty bust into the apartment while looking over his shoulder.
"Mom," he half whined. "Seriously."
"Tyrus Raymond, drop your tone," Ginny said as she walked in holding Wyatt. Mike raised an eyebrow at the exchange as the two seemed to be annoyed with each other.
"But seriously, why not?"
"We'll talk about it later, but for now I said no," Ginny said as she glanced at Mike. Ty sulked over to the kitchen table and dropped heavily onto a chair.
"It's not fair," Ty whined again. Ginny gave him a look and he dropped his chin to his chest. "Fine." Ginny breathed out through her nose then set Wyatt on the floor. He immediately made his way to Mike and held his arms up. Mike scooped him onto his hip and walked towards the kitchen.
"Everything, okay?" Mike asked no one in particular. Ginny looked at him with a forced smile.
"Just a disagreement. I'll be late tonight, but I only work a morning shift tomorrow."
"Okay," Mike said. "I can put them to sleep down there tonight."
"Thanks," Ginny said. Her gaze lingered on Mike, and he leaned his head against Wyatt's. Mike thought she might say something more, but she just nodded and turned towards Ty. "Behave today, I'll see you in the morning."
"Sure, Mom."
"Love you guys," she said as she ruffled Ty's hair and then turned and walked out. Ty had yet to see Tom sitting on the couch, but Wyatt had seen him. He let out a grunt and Mike looked at the little guy.
"It's okay, Wyatt, he's still a friend," Mike whispered. Wyatt struggled against Mike so he set him on the floor so he could do his running skipping routine. Ty finally glanced over at the couch and Mike saw his eyes go wide. "You're Tom Chandler," Ty whispered in shock. Mike laughed as Tom nodded and smiled. "Holy shit," Ty mumbled.
"Hey, Ty," Mike said sternly, and Ty nodded at him.
"Sorry, Mike," Ty said. "But seriously, he's the Tom Chandler," Ty said in awe. Tom smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"Been accused of that a time or two. I hear your name is Ty."
"Uh, yeah," Ty replied. "You didn't tell me he was coming," Ty said looking at Mike.
"Oh, well, I kind of forgot he was," Mike laughed. Tom shook his head at him.
"Some friend," Tom scoffed, and Mike laughed with a shrug.
"I'm kind of busy these days," Mike replied with a smile.
As the day progressed, Ty sat and talked Tom's ear off, but Tom seemed to like the back and forth. Mike sat back and watched wondering if Tom was that relaxed at home. Ty asked if they could surprise his mom at lunch and Mike agreed. Wyatt took a little convincing to leave the apartment but when Ty explained he was going to get to see Momma, Wyatt reluctantly agreed.
They arrived at the restaurant and waited for the hostess to seat them. Mike asked if they could be sat in Ginny's section, and they were. Ty sat next to Tom with Mike and Wyatt across from them in the booth. Wyatt laid on the booth seat between the wall and Mike, his feet lightly kicking against Mike's thigh. Ginny came out of the back and smiled when she saw Ty. She walked up to the table.
"Hey, guys," Ginny said with a smile. Mike looked up at her and smiled back. "What can I get you to drink?"
"I want a coke," Ty said. Ginny nodded.
"I'll have a coffee," Tom said next.
"Same for me," Mike replied. "I brought Wy's cup," he continued holding up Wyatt's empty cup.
"Okay, I'll fill it with lemonade," Ginny replied, taking the cup from Mike. Her fingers brushed over his and he felt a flutter in his stomach. "Be back with the drinks."
Mike watched her walk away and when he turned back to the table Tom was staring at him. Mike gave him a quizzical look and Tom arched an eyebrow at him then smiled. Mike furrowed his brown and shook his head. Tom laughed.
"Sure, Mike," Tom quipped, and Mike shook his head again.
"Leave it alone," Mike said glancing at Ty. Tom looked at the kid then back at Mike, before nodding understanding. Ginny came back out and set their drinks down then took their food order. It wasn't long before their food was served. Ty was talking Tom's ear off asking all kinds of questions, clarifying things he learned at school…asking if things really happened the way they were taught. Tom was a good sport and indulged the boy. Mike was grateful as he kept his attention on Wyatt. When they were done eating Ginny came out with the check and placed it on the table but stayed.
"How was it?"
"Very good," Tom replied with a smile. Ginny stood next to Mike; her hand draped gently on his shoulder.
"Good. Glad you enjoyed it," she said as she smiled at Mike, her fingers rubbing lightly against the back of his shoulder and neck. Mike felt those flutters again. "Any plans for the rest of the day?"
Tom looked at Mike with one of his knowing smiles and Mike gave him a shut-up look. Tom then shrugged and looked over at Ty. Ty looked at Mike expectantly.
"Not at the moment. But maybe we can do something," Mike replied, glancing at Ty. The boy beamed at him, then Tom. Tom nodded. Mike gave Ginny his credit card then she went to take care of his bill. "What do you want to do today?" Mike asked Ty and Tom. Tom looked at Ty.
"Got anything in mind?" Tom asked Ty.
"There's a cool mini golf place. I've never been, but I think it's cool," Ty said. Mike nodded.
"Okay, we can go there today," Mike said and looked at Tom who smiled back at him.
"Sounds great," Tom replied then ruffled Ty's hair. The boy nodded and smiled. Ginny came back and gave Mike his credit card back. He looked up at Ginny.
"You have a sec to watch Wyatt while I use the restroom?" Mike asked. Ginny nodded and Mike got up and Ginny slid into the booth seat next to Wyatt. Tom got up to go with him, but Ty said he was okay.
When Mike and Tom got back Ginny was talking sternly to Ty in harsh whispers and Mike wondered again what the two were arguing over. He made a mental note to bring it up with Ty while they were at the mini golf place.
"We ready to take off?" Mike asked. Ginny stood up and took a step back. Wyatt sat up and looked at Mike, and Mike held his arms out to the boy. Wyatt got up and stood in the booth seat holding his arms up. Mike grabbed him, settling him on his hip. Ty got up hanging his head, looking a little dejected. Mike frowned. Tom was waiting for them by the door. Ginny touched Mike's arm and he looked at her.
"Thanks for stopping by. It was nice to see you and the boys," Ginny said softly.
"It was Ty's idea," Mike said with a smile, and she nodded at him. "See you tonight," he said as he walked away.
By the time they were golfing Ty had perked up and was having a blast. Tom seemed to be completely relaxed and enjoying the day. Mike was glad his friend was able to relax and have a moment. Wyatt was having a blast hitting the ball as hard as he could every chance he got. They were halfway through the course when Mike finally decided to talk to Ty.
"Hey, Ty, what's going on between your mom and you?" Mike asked. Ty looked at him. "Just seems to be an argument going on."
"I'm not supposed to talk to you about it," Ty said with a sigh. He looked at Tom then down at the ground.
"I can tell it's upsetting you. Things are okay between you and your mom?" Mike continued.
"Yeah, I mean mostly. Just that I wanted to ask you to…" Ty started but stopped suddenly.
"Ask me to do what?" Mike asked. Ty looked at him with a pained expression and groaned.
"I think he just slipped and is caught between what he wants to do and what his mom told him to do," Tom whispered to Mike. Ty glanced at Tom and dropped his chin to his chest.
"She told me not to ask you. She said you already do too much for us as it is," Ty said a small whine to his voice. Mike sighed. He watched as Wyatt smacked the ball in the wrong direction and cringed, hoping no one got hit.
"Go grab Wyatt's ball then come back and ask me whatever you want to ask me," Mike said with a sigh. Ty took off after the ball. Tom looked at Mike. "What?" Mike asked a little annoyed.
"I think you're falling into that family," Tom said gently. Mike looked at him. "I just hope you know what you're doing."
"I'm helping them out," Mike sighed out. He knew he was in trouble…well trouble wasn't exactly the right word. Because if things worked in the right direction, it would be saving him.
"I know," Tom continued. "I think I'm kind of jealous." Mike looked at his long-time friend. Tom shrugged. "Happiness looks good on you. I wish I could achieve happiness again."
"You probably can, Tom, we just need to figure out what's holding you back," Mike replied as Ty came running back to them with Wyatt's ball.
"Right," Tom mumbled and looked away. Mike suspected that Tom might already know what his issues were.
"Here's the ball," Ty said breathing hard. Mike smiled and took it from him.
"Alright. Now ask me what you want to ask me," Mike said. Ty looked nervous. His eyes shifted from Mike to Tom then back.
"Well, there's this thing at school this week," Ty began.
"Okay," Mike replied.
"The school asked for moms and dads to come in and talk about what they are doing…like for work and stuff?"
"I see," Mike said as he was beginning to see where Ty was going. Mike glanced at Tom.
"And I wanted to ask you to come in and talk about the Navy or something," Ty said as he rubbed the back on his neck. Mike smiled and looked at Tom. "And then he showed up," Ty continued, pointing at Tom. "And I thought maybe the two of you would be able to come talk…"
"When is it?" Mike asked, looking back at Ty.
"Monday. I know it's short notice, but Mom wouldn't let me say anything. She said you didn't need to," Ty was saying but Mike cut him off.
"Ty, it's okay. I know why you want me to come, and I know why your mom said not to ask me. I'll talk to your mom, and I'll let you know. Okay?"
"Okay," Ty said with a nod. "What about you?" Ty asked Tom. Tom looked a little like a deer in the headlights and looked at Mike.
"I don't know that he'll still be here on Monday," Mike said with a shrug. Tom looked at him.
"I'll see. Let Mike talk to your mom first, okay?" Tom replied. Ty nodded.
They finished their day out and Mike got the boys feed and ready for bed. Once they were asleep, he and Tom were sitting in Ginny's living room. Tom had a show on the television with the sound down. Mike stretched his legs out. Tom's phone buzzed and he pulled it up and looked at the screen. He sighed and closed his eyes then tossed his phone on the table. Mike glanced at it and saw it was a call from Sasha. Tom let it go to voicemail.
"Tom," Mike said with a sigh. Tom looked at him and frowned.
"I don't want to fight with her. It's been a good day. I was in a good mood."
"And now?"
"I'm sour again. I know that if I answer that and talk to her, it will turn into a shouting match. We'll both say things. It will end badly. It always does."
"How long has it been like this?" Mike asked. He was a little upset Tom hadn't said anything to him sooner. He thought about calling Sasha himself.
"Too long. I told you she's pretty much done with me. I guess I can't blame her, things are pretty volatile between us," Tom said softly, and Mike could hear the sadness in his voice.
"How come I'm just hearing about it now?" Mike asked quietly. Tom looked over at him and shrugged.
"Guess I'm not a sharer," Tom said with an eye roll. Obviously, it was a sore point between him and Sasha.
"How's your relationship with the kids?" Mike asked. "And the truth this time," he said in his dad voice. Tom looked at his hands and shook his head.
"Pretty much nonexistent. Ashley's been in St. Louis for a while and now Sammy moved in with her. Neither wants much to do with me on a regular basis."
"Jesus, Tom," Mike breathed out. "What the hell is going on with you?"
"Why is it always my fault?" Tom asked, the anger seeping into his voice.
"You really don't get it do you?" Mike asked shaking his head. He took a deep breath and looked at his friend. "I hate to be this guy, and I hate to be so brutally honest, but, Tom? It's fricking you, Buddy. So, get over yourself and tell me what the fuck is going on with you?"
"I'm so tired of everyone blaming me," Tom said through gritted teeth and flexing his hands into fists.
"What you expected me to say, 'oh poor Tom'? You should know me better than that."
"No, I didn't expect…shit I don't know what I expected. I really don't want to talk about this."
"Maybe not, but it's not going to fix itself. Ignoring her, isn't going to fix it. Hiding here? Isn't going to fix it."
"Okay," Tom breathed out. "I get it. But I'm pretty sure its so beyond broken…no one can fix it."
"They only one who can fix it…is you. So, if you want to fix it? It's fixable. What's the issue?"
"I don't know," Tom said nonchalantly, and Mike blew out a frustrated breath.
"You really want to a be miserable bastard for the rest of your life, don't you? Come on, Tom. Everything we went through? It fucked us all up. You aren't special, my man, not even a little bit. Everyone has baggage and trauma. Stop hiding behind it and work through it."
"I didn't come here to get berated about my personality traits."
"It isn't a personality trait, Tom, it's trauma. It's darkness. It's guilt. It's loathing. You need to break the darkness, Tom, you need to face all the trauma and guilt. You need to figure it out, or you'll be miserable forever. Do you still love Sasha?"
"I've always loved her," Tom replied softly. Mike glanced at him and saw the tears burning in his friend's eyes. He was battling to keep them from falling. "Love isn't the problem."
"Then what is in your eyes?" Mike asked. Tom looked over at him, shoulders slouched, eyes haunted. Mike knew Tom needed some deep therapy but was against it. Tom shook his head and didn't answer. Mike waited on him. He wasn't going to give him the easy way out. Right now, Mike was convinced Tom needed some very tough love. "So, if I were to call Sasha right now, what would she tell me?"
As if on cue Tom's phone buzzed again. They both glanced at it. Mike saw it was Sasha again. Tom nudged the phone away from him with his foot and covered his face with his hand. Mike sighed. He picked up Tom's phone and answered it. Tom glared at him then hid his face again.
"Hey, Sasha," Mike said softly.
"Uh, hey, Slattery," Sasha said confused. "So, I guess that answers the question of where Tom is."
"He didn't tell you he was coming to see me?" Mike asked incredulously and gave Tom a look. Tom shrugged and got up and walked off towards the bathroom.
"No. He doesn't tell me much…anymore," Sasha said. Mike could hear the frustration and sadness in her voice.
"Tell me what's going on. Tom's being Tom," Mike said with a sigh.
"Figures. Look I just wanted to make sure he was okay because no one had seen or heard from him in a few days."
"Wait, is it this serious with him?" Mike asked. He felt a little bad about his tirade on Tom now.
"Look, Mike, I don't want to drag you into the middle of this. I just wanted to make sure he was okay. I got to go," Sasha said. Then she was gone. Mike looked at Tom's phone and frowned. Maybe Tom was right, and this was too broken to be fixed. He put Tom's phone down and waited for his friend to come out of the bathroom. Tom finally did and he stood looking at Mike. There was a haunted broken look in Tom's eyes.
"Tom," Mike said softly. "How'd you let it get this bad?"
"Like I did this on purpose," Tom said with a humorless laugh. He dropped his head. "Look, I'm going back to your place to crash. I've had enough of today." Mike sighed and pulled his key out of his pocket. He held it out to Tom.
"Okay," Mike said feeling lost. "I'll see you tomorrow then." Tom took the key then hesitated for a long moment. He sighed.
"Look, I know you mean well, Mike, but I just…I think it's too late."
"Okay," Mike said defeated. Tom nodded and then walked away from him. Mike stretched out on Ginny's couch waiting for her to get home. An hour later Wyatt came out of his room rubbing his eyes. Mike was half asleep but reached out for the boy. "Come here, Wyatt."
The boy climbed up with Mike and they cuddled together on the couch. It didn't take Wyatt long to fall back asleep and Mike kissed the little boy on the top of the head and hugged him close. The stress of the day caught up to Mike and he felt himself drift off to sleep.
To Be Continued…
