All Roads Lead Home
Chapter 1
Mike looked back at the Michener, knowing it was the last time he'd be seeing it. He had rebuilt the Navy again after the James sunk. Recruitment was at an all-time high, and the United States had a fleet to be proud of. He had been on a year-long cruise reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet." One journalist even compared Mike to the long-dead President, even though Mike was no politician. But, his retirement was in and he was done. He had no idea what he was going to do with himself.
For years, he had paid the mortgage, insurance, power bill and taxes on the house in Norfolk. He had hired someone to go in and mow the yard, collect any mail, and to make sure there was nothing in the house that could go bad or break. He had lived out of a suitcase for years, moving from hotel, to BOQ, to captain's quarters on whatever ship he was on. He hadn't returned, but it was time. He needed to face the fact that his family was gone. No Christine, no Katie, no Hannah and no Lucas.
His friends were moving on. They had their own lives and the only one who remotely understood was Russ, but he had advised Mike to go through the house. Sell what could be sold, keep what he wanted, and sell the house. Buy something close to a lake so he could fish. Be everyone's favorite uncle that would die alone. It just seemed so depressing but it was Mike's reality.
Mike got himself a hotel room, and went to a car dealership. He didn't even have a vehicle. Initially, he had his heart set on a truck, but for whatever reason, ended up buying a SUV. He didn't need anything like that and would probably hate it, but it would get him to Virginia. Mike went back to his hotel, ordered room service and found a baseball game on the TV. He would stay in Mayport overnight and then he would begin the drive to Norfolk.
About midnight, Mike fell into a fitful sleep. As always; he dreamed about his wife and kids. He'd wake up and wish Christine was next to him, and that the kids were going to crowd onto their bed, begging for Mike to make pancakes. It would never happen again and for that; Mike was so sorry. He hoped that now that he was retired, he could grieve for them properly and that he was strong enough for it.
Super short chapter, and no dialogue, but that'll change!
