All Roads Lead Home

Chapter 10

Christine was exhausted from just getting Mike home and almost considered laying down next to him in her bed, but there was no way Mike would go for that. She would make do for the time being and sleep in one of the girl's rooms. At least Mike was being cooperative and trying to be a good patient, and the girls doted on him. That night, Christine carried in a tray of his supper.

"Do you need help eating? I cut the chicken up for you." Christine asked. She sat the tray down and helped Mike sit up before putting the tray over his lap.

"I should be fine, but if you want to you can stay in here? Unless you've not eaten?" Mike offered.

"I've ate. The girls wanted to eat and go to the movies." Christine said. She brought a chair closer to the bed and sat down in it, closer to Mike. He began eating and she stared into space.

"This chicken is really good. Is it a new recipe?" Mike asked, obviously trying to make conversation.

"Thank you. I don't think I've ever made it for you, so its new to you." Christine replied.

"Its good." Mike answered. They sat in silence for a few moments, while Mike ate.

"I'll give you your pain meds here in a bit. The nurse was adamant about staying ahead of the pain." Christine said after Mike finished eating and she picked the tray up.

"I figured I would try and white knuckle it through the pain." Mike said.

"Not a funny joke, Mike. You have to stay ahead of the pain. You would be miserable." Christine scolded.

"Figured you would want me like that after everything." Mike remarked.

"Not hardly. I hate what's happened to you." Christine said. She turned to leave but she knew Mike was going to try and have a conversation.

"And you don't hate me?" Mike asked.

"I…hate things you've done. That doesn't mean I hate you." Christine said.

"So why did you insist I stay here?" Mike asked.

"Because, for now, legally speaking; I am still your wife. And the girls wanted you at home so they could care for you." Christine answered.

"I see." Mike answered.

"Mike; you are the father of my children. I will always love you because of that." Christine told him.

"But?" Mike asked.

"But…what really bothers me is that you got with Breanna simply to get back at me for withholding the girls from you. So, what happens the next time I do something that upsets you? Will it be a tit for tat thing?" Christine asked.

"I made a mistake and I will live with the consequences for the rest of my life. Is it that I did it to get back at you or because I slept with someone else? Which bothers you?" Mike asked.

"Neither. Its that you felt the need to punish me, so in effect you punished the girls. You don't know how much they hurt because you missed your weekends or wouldn't meet them for lunch. I can get over how you acted towards me and what you did with Breanna, but I cannot get over what you did to the girls. They didn't make the choice. I did. They were so thrilled to have you back in their lives, and even us being separated and divorced; they could have handled, but the fact that you were willing to reject them because of what I did is not something I am willing to forgive. They are better than me, because they already have forgiven you, but I can't. So, you'll get your wish. Our marriage is over. You can stay here while you recover, and I will take care of you, but as soon as you are able, we will go our separate ways." Christine explained. She had sat the tray down on her dresser and was facing Mike with her arms over her chest.

"I see." Mike said. At least he wasn't denying anything.

"If that's all, I have dishes to wash. I'll bring your meds in shortly." Christine said before picking the tray up and walking out the bedroom door. She knew she had been harsh to Mike, but he had to know what he had done was wrong. She honestly didn't want her marriage to end, but Mike was going to have to get a taste of his own medicine before any of them could recover. They were at rock bottom and they could only move upwards.