Married into the Navy
Chapter 3
Being a single parent with Mike in the same city was one thing. He helped her with the kids, sometimes had food delivered when he knew she had had a long day at work, and just being present. But with him being deployed, it was incredibly harder.
Kaitlyn refused to talk to the counselor Christine had found. Hannah had a summer cold and Lucas hated his day camp program. Christine had to call in sick one day, which didn't help her paycheck. She even had to write one of Mike's checks to cover some over-the-counter cold meds for Hannah. She could only hope he didn't mind. She would find a way to pay him back.
"Did you hear about this virus? It's a flu. In Africa and Asia now. They say people are dying from it." One of the nurses said as she held up a newspaper.
"No. I've not had much chance to read a paper. Its only in Africa and Asia, though?" Christine asked the nurse, Rayna.
"Yeah, so far. Are you worried about your ex?" Rayna asked.
"A little. They may have to stop for fuel or supplies." Christine said.
"He is your ex-husband." Rayna pointed out. She had been divorced three times and was on her fourth marriage.
"I haven't filed yet. We decided to wait until he came home. Better for the kids. And, I don't wish him harm. My kids need him." Christine replied.
"I wouldn't care if any of my exes died. Seriously, I think you are still hung up on him. I think you need a last hoorah." Rayna said.
"A last what?" Christine asked.
"Last hoorah. Sleep with him one last time, and for God sake, if you can still get pregnant, use protection. I made the mistake of not having anything and ended up knocked up. Prolonged the divorce." Rayna said when their boss, Doctor Sanders walked up and gave Rayna a look.
"I need blood drawn on the patient in Exam Room Two. Here's the order. She's on her lunch break so hurry." Dr. Sanders said. After Rayna walked away, the doctor turned to Christine. "My advice is, don't take Rayna's advice. If you and Mike are meant to be together, it will work out. Sleeping with him, just to have a cheap thrill will only cause pain, for both of you." Dr. Sanders said.
"True. I think he still hopes…I don't want to hurt him. Anyway, do you think there is anything to this virus?" Christine asked.
"Hard to say. Could take the course of Ebola or any other. Doctors a lot smarter than me have to figure it out. I just get to call the Jones and let them know, after years of trying and giving up, she is four-months along." Dr. Smith said.
"That far along? She didn't realize?" Christine asked.
"Nope. Thought she was going into menopause. And just judging by her weight gain, the levels and everything; I think it might be more than one!" Dr. Sanders said.
"That's great." Christine said with a huge grin.
"Its almost three and I just have charting. If you want to go on home, go ahead. I'll pay for the full day too." Dr. Sanders said. It was a small practice and when it got slow, Christine was generally sent home.
"Thanks. Hannah is still not feeling good and my neighbor has been watching her during the day. I need to pick Kaitlyn and Lucas up too." Christine told her as she stood up and grabbed her purse.
"If you need to bring her, let me know. We can make it work." Dr. Sanders said.
"Thanks, Doc. Its just…Mike always helped with this stuff. I imagine he will once we divorce too, but I miss him not being here." Christine admitted.
"Is it that you miss him, or just his presence and help? That is something you must figure out." Dr. Sanders asked before Christine left.
Christine drove to the day camp to pick Lucas up and then to the Chandler's to pick Kaitlyn up. She was greeted with Kaitlyn's usual attitude and Lucas's explanation of his day at the camp. He was so like Mike. Not subtle. Outspoken and funny. Hearing him talk reminded Christine of how she missed Mike…or his presence. She wasn't sure which. She only knew, she had to figure it out before he came home and they filed for divorce.