Married into the Navy
Chapter 6
Christine chose to keep herself and the girls at the safe zone until she no longer had any other choice. Things were becoming so dire and people were so scared. It had helped talking to Mike, but there was so much not said.
Kaitlyn hated the safe zone, and just wanted to go home. Hannah, thankfully, was just accepting of everything. She missed her home, her brother and her dad, but she at least complied. One day, the safe zone leader, Charles Alexander came in with a large smile on his face.
"You have a visitor." Charles said.
"Who? Mike?" Christine said as she stood up.
"No. She's out with the girls." Charles said as he raised the flap to open the tent. Just outside the tent, her mom stood with the two girls.
"Mom? How did you find us?" Christine asked as she ran to her mom, Nancy.
"Oh, it was quite the adventure. I have somewhere safe for you and the girls. Safer than here." Nancy said as she gave Christine a hug.
"And you should go. Don't feel bad about the cooking. You and the girls need to be kept out of the elements and be protected." Charles told her.
"Honey, if you are found out, who you are married to, you will be a target and so will the girls." Nancy said.
"I know. I just didn't know where to go." Christine admitted.
"Are we going back home?" Kaitlyn asked.
"No. Its not safe. I have a place, but we need to move." Nancy said.
"Okay; we'll need to pack." Christine agreed before walking into the tent. They quickly began packing, but they would have to leave a lot. Christine opted to leave a photo album with Charles, instead taking the baby books for all three kids and her wedding album. She hated choosing but Charles would guard the items. There were only a few changes of clothes packed as well.
Christine and the girls hugged the friends they had made while living at the safe zone and packed into the tiny car that somehow Nancy had procured. Christine chose not to ask a lot of questions. She was sure it was a little less than legal.
They drove all night and only stopped to fuel up at abandoned gas stations. The girls were uncomfortable and starting to complain when Nancy pulled into to a beat-up farmhouse in the middle of nowhere.
"Where are we?" Christine asked as they got out of the car.
"Its in the middle of the Ozarks. Close to Arkansas. One of my friends from Bingo owns it. She's here too. The work will be hard, but we will manage." Nancy answered. She was an optimist, because the farmhouse was in terrible shape.
"Does it even have running water?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Yes and no. We will be using rainwater and water from a well. It's a bit rustic. We do have a generator, but we aren't using it a lot because we are being careful with the diesel. Girls, we will manage." Nancy said sternly.
"It's better than a tent, with winter coming. We will have shelter." Christine added. She was less than thrilled, but it was secluded, had ample food sources and was seemingly warm. It would work until Mike found them.
"Mom, how's Dad going to find us here?" Hannah asked.
"I don't know, but we'll figure something out." Christine answered as they began unloading the car. Of course, Kaitlyn complained and argued the entire time, but they were quickly moved in and introduced to liked her. Even Kaitlyn seemed enthralled with her and Hannah was easy to please.
As they unpacked, Christine smiled down at Hannah, who was looking at Mike and Christine's wedding album. The little girl had always been fascinated by the pictures and always loved to see her dad dressed in a suit or his dress whites. Christine took a break and sat down next to her.
"You love this album, don't you?" Christine asked.
"Yeah, you look so pretty in it and Daddy looks so handsome. It was kind of like a fairy tale, wasn't it?" Hannah asked.
"It was back then. We had Kaitlyn about a year and a half after we got married, but I loved that time in our lives when it was him and me. Of course, we both love having you kids, too." Christine said.
"But, its not a fairy tale now?" Hannah asked.
"Not all stories end happily." Christine said.
"I think you and Daddy's fairy tale isn't over. Before he left, anytime he came home, your eyes sparkled a little more and Daddy still loves you. He told me so." Hannah said. It was amazing how perceptive the eight-year-old was.
"Well, sweetie; yes, your dad and I still love each other very much. We share you kids and that is a very intimate…personal connection." Christine tried explaining.
"No. When he is home, you look like this. And he looks the same. You didn't have us kids then and you looked all…lovey." Hannah said as she pointed at one of the pictures.
"We'll see. Right now, we need to finish unpacking and figure out how we can help Gram and Miss Marian, alright? We will work. No fat on this bone." Christine told the little girl before the stood up.