Lost Loves
Chapter 3-2013
"Seriously, Christine; again? You keep embarrassing yourself." Mike asked. He had heard she was cheating again. It was true. Fortunately, the kids were in school and Mike had 'stopped by to get a tool.' He was standing in the kitchen, leaned against the counter.
"You've had just as many affairs as I've had." Christine remarked.
"I've slept with two other women. I've counted…at least six men for you and those are only the ones I know about. I suspect that you have a problem." Mike said.
"What? Like a sex addiction?" Christine asked.
"Possibly." Mike said.
"Or maybe I just like having my husband home? If you remember right, I didn't start having affairs until you joined up and was gone all the time." Christine answered.
"You and I talked about it before I joined. You knew what it entailed and you wanted to stay home with the kids. Now; since we are maintaining this place and my apartment, you have to get a job. I can't keep up at this rate." Mike said.
5 Years Later
Even though she was concerned Mike would throw her out, Christine felt safe. She had had food, a shower, a warm bed with her daughters next to her and Mike was letting her wear his t-shirt. He had even given her a flannel shirt to wear. She didn't deserve the kindness he was showing her.
Katie and Hannah were thrilled to be near their father and Christine was thrilled for them. Mike had always been a wonderful dad and he had tried to be a good husband. Christine had just failed him.
She wondered if they could have a do-over. Her and Mike had been good together at one point. She had been through so much that she would never cheat again. She just wasn't sure that she could be any sort of a wife to Mike.
She wasn't even sure why it had started and gone on. At one point, Mike had doubted that Hannah was even his and had demanded a DNA test. It had confirmed that he was her biological father and Mike had let it rest. Unfortunately, Hannah had found out what the tests were but it seemed to be long forgotten.
Christine wasn't sure she had some sort of sex addiction. She just wasn't as good of a wife as Mike wanted or deserved. The next morning; Mike had taken the girls shopping; giving Christine a chance to discover Mike's home.
She suspected it was more a place to store his stuff when he was away and it was not decorated at all. Still, there were pictures around of the kids and even a few of her. If given a chance, she could make the house a home, but she was sure Mike would set her up in apartment at some point. She was not prepared for the amount of clothing and other items Mike and the girls came in with.
"This is a lot." Christine remarked as she looked in the bags.
"Some of it is for you. I got a few basic things and we'll get more as you gain weight. I also got groceries and stuff the girls wanted for their rooms. I ordered furniture too." Mike said.
"Expensive." Christine remarked.
"Its okay." Mike replied as he put groceries away.
"Mike; you didn't have to get me anything; you know? You don't owe me anything." Christine said.
"You kept the girls safe. I can tell by how protective they both are that it was at great personal cost. I just wish I knew what the cost was. I want to help you but I can't if I don't know." Mike said.
"Why would you want to?" Christine asked as she fidgeted with a shirt.
"Because you kept the girls safe. I was shocked at how well-rounded they both are. Typical teenagers. And we are still married legally. I am responsible for you." Mike said.
"I am shocked you didn't have me declared deceased so you could move on." Christine remarked.
"I…couldn't. It would have meant admitting the girls were dead and I just couldn't." Mike admitted.
"Mike; after everything that happened before, is there any chance of us trying again?" Christine asked.
"Yes, but for you to properly move on; you need to talk about what happened in the last five years. If not to me; to someone. The last five years has been no cake walk for me, and I had to find help. My point is; its not a sign of weakness and I won't judge you for it. I've done some pretty off-color things too." Mike told her.
"Thank you. I'll think about it talking to someone." Christine said.
"Please do." Mike answered. He patted her back as he walked past her, towards the laundry room. The funny part was; when anyone touched her, it terrified her, but Mike didn't scare her. Maybe because he had never physically harmed her and because he was the only man she had ever loved?
