Concentration
Chapter 6
Christine smiled as the plane landed. Flying had been overwhelming and exhausting. The girls were nervous and Mike was a bit short-tempered. She could tell he was tired. Other passengers began filing off the plane and Mike began getting their carry-ons arranged.
"I can carry that one?" Christine offered.
"Nah, I got it." Mike said. Christine and Katie exchanged a look before Mike led them off the plane.
"Tom's meeting us?" Christine asked.
"Yes." Mike answered. He seemed annoyed every time she spoke. It was weird because he had been so supportive and loving. She and the girls were safe but she wanted Mike to be happy too.
Tom was waiting for them in a SUV and Christine settled with the girls in the back seat. They were watching the passing landscape, but Christine concentrated on Mike. He was older. His hair was mostly gray and there were worry lines on his face. To her, he was still a handsome man but he also had a shattered look about him. Tom pulled up to a beautiful house and smiled back at them.
"Welcome home." He told them. The house had a beautiful porch, complete with an American flag. Mike helped her out of the SUV, but she didn't let go of his hand.
"This is beautiful. Thank you." Christine said. She reached up and stroked Mike's cheek.
"I had help decorating but of course, things can be changed to however you like them." Tom said. He led them up the sidewalk and let them into the house. It was a beautiful home inside as well, and to Christine's taste.
"I told him what you liked." Mike said. He had let go of her hand and had walked to a sliding glass door. He opened it and revealed a beautiful pool and beach beyond it.
"Mom, look at the kitchen!" Katie exclaimed.
"Mom, the water runs. We have plumbing again!" Hannah said.
"There are groceries enough to get you by for a few days. And clothes in the closets. Enjoy!" Tom said.
"Thank you." Mike told Tom.
"Yes, thank you very much. This is all amazing. When I get on my feet; we'll have you, Sasha and the kids for dinner." Christine said.
"You're welcome. Just rest and relax. Mike, you too." Tom said. He walked out the front door and Christine concentrated on her husband. The girls had gone upstairs to explore, so she focused on Mike.
"The house is beautiful. Thank you." Christine said as she gave Mike a kiss on the cheek. Mike was still focused on the beach and only nodded in response. "Mike, what is going on with you? You've been short tempered all day. I know you're tired but this seems deeper then that." Christine asked.
"I am tired." Mike answered.
"You've been acting like this since you found out we were coming home. I am beginning to wonder if you had moved on and now that we are here, you're not sure what to do. Perhaps you cared about her? I couldn't blame you. Especially with how things were before. I just wish you had told me right off." Christine said. She could tell Mike was shocked. Probably surprised that she had figured it out so quickly.
"That is not why! Jesus, what do you take me for?" Mike yelled.
"Then why?" Christine asked, trying to control the fear in her voice.
"Because I realized this is my life now. A wife that is terrified to be alone with me, when I've never laid a hand on her and two daughters that are traumatized to the point they will never recover! All because I thought a briefing was falsified." Mike said.
"Huh?" Christine asked.
"We received information that agents that were still loyal were holding people in camps. It didn't seem plausible because there was no money trails and we couldn't understand how she would have had people that were so devoted to her. I investigated but apparently not hard enough." Mike said.
"Mike, this is not your fault. You said you investigated. I know you did your best. This guilt will gut you. You have to let it go." Christine said.
"How?" Mike asked.
"I don't know." Christine admitted. Instead of saying anything else, she pulled Mike into hug. She wasn't sure how, with everything she had gone through, that he didn't scare her. Maybe it was because she had trusted him before. They had shared a bed, children, and many years. Maybe that intimacy would carry them through everything?