The Recruit
Chapter 2
Mike knew and he wanted to say something but until Katie was prepared to tell him; he knew better than to push. Given that she was going by Christine's maiden name; he might not have a place anymore.
He walked into his quarters, grabbed a beer out of the fridge, changed out of his uniform and flipped the TV on to some game. He was only filling in for Tom at the Academy and was a bit surprised to see his name on the screen of his cellphone when it rang.
"You're supposed to be enjoying a nice vacation with the kids and Sasha." Mike said.
"I wanted to see how first day went?" Tom asked.
"It went fine. I didn't bore them to tears." Mike answered.
"Did you follow the syllabus?" Tom asked.
"I improvised." Mike answered.
"MIKE! That syllabus is approved by the Dean." Tom scolded.
"I am technically his boss so I doubt he'll say much." Mike remarked.
"True. Any stand out students?" Tom asked.
"Its only the first day and the stats aren't good. Forty percent of the class won't make it graduation. But yes, there is one student that caught my attention." Mike answered.
"And?" Tom asked.
"I'll see how she's faired tomorrow with her homework." Mike said.
"How much did you give them?" Tom asked.
"Three chapters and I have it on good authority, they have calculus and weather science." Mike answered.
"You're an asshole." Tom remarked.
"Hey, I'm doing you a favor." Mike argued.
"Well, don't raise that percentage before I get back." Tom said before hanging up.
Mike looked at the TV and at the nearly full bottle of beer. He knew his life was empty. He missed his wife and daughters desperately. Instead of making himself miserable; he shut the TV off, poured the beer out and headed to bed.
The next morning; Recruit Graham was the first one to come into class. Mike could tell she was nervous and fortunately; her classmates weren't so diligent. Mike sat down at his desk and waited.
"Do you know who I am?" Katie asked.
"Recruit Graham; I can't hear you when you barely speak all the way from there." Mike said. Katie stood up and walked to his desk.
"Do you know who I am?" Katie repeated in a clearer voice.
"Yes, I do." Mike answered.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Katie asked.
"Because there is a reason that you didn't. And changed your last name." Mike answered.
"I didn't get a chance to say anything yesterday." Katie remarked.
"So, why are you now?" Mike asked.
"Because I listened to Mom cry for an hour last night. She's working herself to the bone so I can go to school here and Hannah can have a normal high school experience. Her boss at her second job wants her to sleep with him. She won't, of course; but she isn't sure how to pay the bills." Katie answered.
"What's with the last name?" Mike asked.
"She says she is trying to protect us from the media and the pressure." Katie answered.
"I could have done that without thinking my family was dead." Mike remarked.
"I know." Katie said sheepishly. Just then another recruit came in.
"Alright; after class today; come back here." Mike said.
Katie was actually the only student who had read all three chapters. The others told him they thought he had only been joking so he assigned them five more chapters. Katie was going to be the star student at the current rate but Mike had to be careful not to show any favoritism.
The rest of the day was boring. Finally, a little after four; Katie came back in. Mike had ran back to his quarters to pack a bag. He wasn't sure what Christine's response to him would be but he wanted to be prepared. Katie gave him her address and then left. Mike followed five minutes later so it didn't look odd.
The townhouse Christine and his girls were living in was within five minutes of the Academy grounds but was in a rough part of town. He walked up the walkway and knocked on the door, not sure what to expect. Katie answered on the first knock and let him in.
"Does your mom know I was coming here?" Mike asked.
"Yes." Katie answered.
"And?" Mike asked but was interrupted by Hannah squealing before running to him, enveloping him in a tight hug.
"I've missed you so much, Daddy!" Hannah said into his chest. Mike smiled into her hair and swayed back and forth.
"I'll get Mom." Katie said. Mike nodded but concentrated on his youngest daughter. Finally, a moment later; an older, thinner Christine came downstairs. Mike thought about lecturing her about staying gone, but instead of doing that, he gently backed Hannah away and held an arm out for Christine. He was a bit more surprised that she also ran for his arms and began sobbing into his chest.