Concentration
Chapter 3
Christine had been shocked at how tender Mike was with her. He was amazing with the girls too, but then he had always been a good dad. Mike had helped her wash her hair, especially when she didn't want to ask the nurse for help. He gently massaged her scalp and she sighed.
"You okay?" Mike asked.
"Yes. This feels really good." Christine answered.
"Good. I'm glad. I was going to rinse. I can wash it again if you'd like?" Mike asked.
"Its okay. Thank you." Christine said. He nodded and began gently rinsing her hair out. It took longer but it had been a while since her hair had been properly washed.
"Not quite a beauty shop but better than nothing." Mike remarked.
"It felt wonderful." Christine told him. She was towel drying her hair, which was now to her waist but very thin due to starvation.
"I can arrange to have it cut if you'd like? I'm sure the nurse can help find a beautician. For the girls too." Mike asked.
"That might be a good idea. I'm sure it looks pretty ragged." Christine admitted. They walked out of the bathroom and she smiled at Katie, who was still awake.
"I can braid it, Mom?" Katie offered.
"Yeah, I can't braid it." Mike admitted.
"Thank you, honey." Christine said. She sat down on Katie's bed as the young girl braided her hair. Hannah was sound asleep.
"So…I have an apartment now and its only one bedroom. Of course, you all will be staying with me but it will be tight. I will call a realtor to start the process but is there anything special you want?" Mike asked.
"Just to be together." Katie answered.
"Yes. That sounds good." Christine remarked.
"But…bedrooms? Bathrooms? Kitchen?" Mike asked.
"Mike, all we really want is a roof over our heads with plenty of food and to be together. Nothing else matters anymore." Christine said.
"I see." Mike answered.
"Daddy, don't stress about a house. We will be happy in your apartment. Hannah and I can sleep on the couch." Katie said.
"Thank you, sweetie. Its really tiny though. We can get by for a bit but we will need something." Mike told her.
"Any home would be lovely, Mike." Christine said. She reached over and squeezed his hand, glad that for some reason, despite the distance between them before the Red Flu, Mike was letting her back into his life. She had also noticed he was still wearing his wedding band and he didn't fidget with it like someone who wasn't used to wearing it.
"Okay. All done." Katie said.
"Thank you, honey." Christine said.
"I am kind of tired. I think I am going to sleep." Katie said. Mike and Christine both bent down and kissed her forehead before he helped her settle down.
"You are too old to be tucked in, but still; I don't mind." Mike remarked. Katie smiled in response.
"I don't either." Katie said.
"I think I am going to follow her example. I am tired too." Christine said. Mike settled the blanket over Katie before turning to Christine. He helped her into her hospital bed and covered her with the blanket.
"Once you ladies go to sleep, I may step out and get a bite to eat." Mike said.
"You don't have to wait. We'll be okay." Christine told him.
"I want to." Mike answered.
"Thank you." Christine said. Mike bent down and kissed the top of her head.
"For what its worth; I am really glad you're here too. I know you aren't okay but you're here." Mike said.
"Not okay yet but I will be. Thank you for helping me." Christine said.
"Is there any chance…sorry…I shouldn't even bring it up with all that you've been through." Mike started.
"There is certainly a chance. We just need to get home, whereever that is; to figure out our next step." Christine answered.
"Will do." Mike said. He gave her another kiss, this time on the cheek and sat down in the chair between her bed and Katie's. The nights were hardest for Christine but for the first time in a long time, she felt safe and protected.