Married into the Navy
Chapter 7-2 years later
Christine had actually adapted to being so secluded and the girls were healthy. They had also adjusted, and even Kaitlyn didn't complain much. Marian had left because she couldn't handle the seclusion, taking Nancy's car with her. They truly didn't have a way out, but they survived.
They did have a radio, so there was a connection to the outside world. Christine kept a lot of the bleaker news from the girls, but she knew the Nathan James crew had delivered a cure and there had been a government coup, that was ended by the crew. She also knew there was a famine going on, but it didn't affect them, because they had vegetables canned, and a freezer full of meat. The only thing Christine missed was dry goods, but she wasn't willing to stick her neck out to find them. At some point, the electrical company must have started working again, because the lights came on, and there was never a bill.
Nancy kept them all going, and she 'homeschooled' the girls, with material she had devised. She had retired as a schoolteacher and the girls responded well to her. It gave Christine free reign of the farm and she worked from sun-up to sundown. If Mike ever found them, he would find that she had changed completely and had kept their daughters alive. She just hoped he was still alive.
She hoped for a lot of things, but mostly that when Mike found them, he would give their marriage another chance. She'd given him every reason not to, but even when things were bad, they had something.
After a long day of chopping wood, mending fences and tending to their menagerie of animals, Christine walked in and took her boots off. The girls were already asleep, and Nancy was warming her dinner up.
"We were listening to the radio this morning. Apparently, the Nathan James crew saved the day again. They've found a cure for this famine and it has been delivered back to the US scientists." Nancy said.
"No telling if Mike is still on the crew." Christine remarked.
"And I quote, 'led by Captain Mike Slattery, who was severely injured procuring the seed.' They went on to say that Mike was alright and is due a promotion." Nancy replied.
"I didn't need to know that he was injured, and I hope the girls didn't hear that part?" Christine asked.
"They didn't and I never said a word about his injury, but I did tell them that I had heard something on the news that led me to believe he was alive. They are thrilled…or Hannah is. Kaitlyn is her normal self." Nancy explained.
"I just don't know what to do? Should I walk into town and try and call the Navy? I bet that crew has people coming out of the woodwork constantly. I have no way to prove who I am." Christine said. Her driver's license, social security card and military dependent ID had been lost long ago.
"Probably right, but you have to take a chance. Christine, we cannot stay here forever, and I think the day is quickly coming that Kaitlyn will leave. You and I both know it. Maybe you should control it." Nancy said.
"Kaitlyn has no great affection for her father. Its not like she would seek him out." Christine responded.
"No, but you can seek him out for her." Nancy said.
"Alright. I'll walk to town tomorrow. I'll leave at first light and will hopefully be home before midnight. Can you think of anything we need? Remember, we're saving money." Christine said. Occasionally a neighbor stopped by and brought sugar and flour by, before the famine.
"Just the normal. Sugar, flour, salt, coffee, tea, but if you can't get it, don't stress. We will manage." Nancy said optimistically.
"I really don't think this will amount to anything." Christine answered.
"Maybe, but the worst thing that can happen is a no. You know he is alive." Nancy retorted. Christine went back to eating her dinner in total silence.
The next morning, Christine began the five mile walk to town. She was shocked at how desolate things were. There were no cars around and when Christine reached the town library, she was shocked to see it open. They had internet, and Christine looked up a number for the Navy headquarters in St. Louis, then paid to use the phone. A rather prickly secretary answered.
"Hello, my name is Christine Slattery, the wife of Captain Mike Slattery. I believe he might be looking for me and our daughters." Christine started.
"Ma'am, we have these calls every day for different members of the crew. Do you have your marriage license? Any form of ID?" The secretary asked.
"No, but…" Christine started.
"Then you are wasting my time." The secretary said.
"But…are you even going to tell him? I'm in McGregor, Missouri…or a farm outside of McGregor. Do you have his address? Maybe, I can write him." Christine asked.
"Captain…or rather Admiral Slattery is far too busy for a liar. He has been tasked with rebuilding the Navy." The secretary answered.
"So, there is no way I can reach him to let him know that his wife and daughters are alive? Mike would want to know." Christine asked, becoming frustrated.
"No, ma'am and you are wasting my time." The secretary answered.
"Just tell him that I called from the town library in McGregor, Missouri; please?" Christine begged.
"Goodbye." The secretary answered before hanging up.
"If you leave the number, I can keep trying and will hopefully get a different secretary." The librarian, Kathy, said after Christine explained.
"Its up to you, but I am not sure it will do a lot of good." Christine said as she handed the number to the other woman.
"Don't give up hope." Kathy said.
"Hope went out the window two years ago. Now, its just a pipe dream that we can be a family again. Thank you." Christine said before leaving.
She bought the things for Nancy, and a few small treats for the girls and began the long walk back to the farm. Christine knew one thing for sure, she was never going to try and find or reach Mike again. It wasn't fair to herself, Nancy or the girls. If he found them, it would be a miracle. Otherwise, it was just a pipe dream.
The town of McGregor is fictionalized. Just a name I came up with so I wouldn't have to use an actual town!