Where It All Began

Chapter 7-Mike Slattery

"I'll pay you back as soon as I can, Dad." Mike said as his dad, Robert wrote the check out. It was not the first loan Mike had to ask for, this time because Kaitlyn had been back to the doctor and the insurance wasn't covering all of her prescriptions.

"Anything for my grandbaby." Robert told him. He adored his only granddaughter.

"I don't know what to do. You'd think we'd be okay. I'm a detective now. Child care is so expensive that it makes no sense for Christine to work outside the house, but she's babysitting, and helping a caterer she knows with baked items." Mike explained.

"Having a child with a chronic illness doesn't help. Do the doctor's have any answers?" Robert asked.

"They think she has a seizure disorder. All the tests are expensive." Mike told him.

"She can't have the tests she needs due to money, and because of that, they can't give her any medicine for it?" Robert asked.

"Yep, that's it." Mike answered.

"City insurance used to pay better, but then you were as healthy as a horse." Robert said. Mike decided to just be honest.

"They bid it out last year. I'm not the only one having this issue. McAllister's wife has breast cancer, and they won't pay for the surgery. I guess chemo is cheaper. But, it isn't my only problem. Christine told me last night that she took a pregnancy test. It came back positive. I'm sure that I will love the baby, but it's hard, because with a new baby comes diapers, formula and more insurance stuff. And we were being really careful. Neither of us knew what happened. Christine even asked if I thought we should look into giving the baby up for adoption. I think she's already resigning herself to not being able to keep it." Mike commented.

"Mike; if it comes down to that, quit the city. I am sure I can get you a job here. Better pay, better benefits, lower cost of living. You guys can stay here. Don't give that baby up. You will hate yourself if you do." Robert told him.

"A lot of couples would be thrilled to have a baby. Course, I can't even promise the baby would be healthy." Mike remarked.

"Son, don't. By doing that, you are signing yourself and Christine up for years of heartache. If you are too proud to come home, I have another suggestion. The military. You'd have a housing stipend, healthcare would be taken care of, and the pay is slightly better. You wouldn't be home a lot, but you could get Kaitlyn her medical tests, you could make sure Christine is able to stay home and you could keep this baby." Robert suggested.

"I've actually thought about the Navy. Even spoke with a recruiter when I was working a case last week." Mike said.

"What's Christine say?" Robert asked.

"Not much, but every time Kaitlyn has one of her 'episodes' she cries. Its hard for her to watch. And you know how she really wanted to be a mom. Thinking she might have to give a baby, one created in love, really bothers her. Something has to give." Mike remarked.

"Do you have a lease?" Robert asked.

"No. It's month to month." Mike answered.

"Son, put your papers in. Sign up for the Navy, or whatever branch you want. Christine and Kaitlyn can stay with me when you are in basic, and until you all have a duty station where they can follow you. Its not a perfect solution, but better then what you are dealing with now." Robert instructed.

"The recruiter I spoke with said due to my experience as a cop, I might be able to get into OCS. With the war going on, they are looking for officers." Mike stated.

"Well, I can't force you. I can tell you, your granddad loved being in the Navy. You could provide better for your family. It wouldn't be ideal, but it would be better then having to borrow money every other month. I don't mind to help and will continue, but this could be the answer you're looking for." Robert stated.

"Thanks, Dad. I really need to talk to Christine about it more. It'll be her who really sacrifices." Mike said as he stood up. His dad handed him the check and slapped Mike's shoulder.

"Just let me know." Robert told him. He walked Mike to the door and watched him leave. As Mike made the drive back to Chicago, he knew his dad was right. Things couldn't stay like they were, especially with a sick child and another baby on the way. He couldn't ask Christine to give up the baby she wanted so badly.

I waited to write Mike's story because so many of the stories I do are about Mike, from his POV, etc.