Better Together
Chapter 13
Christine didn't find pleasure in watching Katie struggle to apologize but she also agreed with Mike. Katie needed to understand that she had brought pain to Christine. It was just hard. Katie had always been so like Mike, but Christine had always loved how steady she was. It was why she had not hesitated to hire Katie. She was dependable. A week after Mike woke up, Christine stepped into Katie's office with a to-go container of coffees and a carton of donuts.
"Coffee and carbs?" Christine asked.
"Sure." Katie said. Christine sat the donuts out on a dish and handed Katie a cup of coffee; selecting the chai latte for herself. Katie looked tired.
"I heard that the Adams won their bidding war." Christine said. They sat down at the round table and Katie selected a jelly-filled roll for herself.
"Yeah. A $100,000 over the list price. She's a cook so I just ordered one of those dutch ovens as a house-warming present." Katie said.
"Price of doing business. I am going to convert the extra office into a closet with different presents stocked. Candles, dutch ovens and such." Christine explained. It was a higher end dutch oven but when people paid an exuberant amount of money, their real estate agents should treat them.
"Sounds like a plan." Katie answered awkwardly.
"Your father is trying to be released already." Christine remarked.
"He's only a week out of a coma." Katie said.
"Yeah. He's a very stubborn man." Christine said.
"No kidding." Katie replied.
"Katie…look, your dad…he told me everything. What you and him talked about. And he was right. We were both so busy protecting you girls that we didn't give you the information you needed to make an informed decision. That was not fair of us. I wanted you girls to see that I was strong. That I didn't need Mark…or your dad for that matter. I didn't need a man to validate me. Had I been honest from the beginning; it would have solved a lot. And when your dad was hurt; I should have taken the time to explain what his wishes were. So, yes; I was aggravated with you, but I was also partly to blame." Christine explained.
"I could have caused Daddy to die." Katie remarked.
"No, honey. Mark would have caused that. Your dad doesn't want any of us to blame you for it and honestly; I don't want to see you blaming yourself either." Christine answered.
"Doesn't change the fact that I told Mark that Daddy was staying with us. He's having to retire now and all the trouble with being shot." Katie said.
"He was going to retire anyways. Honey; you are not to blame for everything. How have you been sleeping?" Christine asked.
"Not…well at all. I've been having nightmares." Katie admitted.
"I thought maybe so. You will feel better once Dad is home where he belongs." Christine said.
"Yeah, but that could be weeks from now." Katie remarked.
"And you need to sleep before that. Do you remember when you kids were small and your dad was away; and you would get scared? You would all jump in bed with me and we would watch movies and eat junk food." Christine asked.
"Yeah, but we aren't little anymore." Katie said.
"No, but your dad is away and you're scared. I'll run by the store tonight. You find the movie." Christine said with a smile.
"Don't you want to visit Daddy?" Katie asked.
"I'll call him and explain. We've both been worried about you." Christine said.
"Okay." Katie answered.
"Just find the movie. I'll take care of the food and your Dad." Christine told her with a wink.