The Recruit
Chapter 1
Katie smiled as Hannah pinned her hair into a carefully braided bun. It was her first day at the Academy and Katie was nervous. Fortunately, Hannah had nerves of steel, much like their father had.
"Katie; its almost time." Their mom called from downstairs. They had stayed in seclusion for years until Katie got into the Academy.
"You'll do fine." Hannah said as she tucked another bobby pin in and sprayed it down again.
"I'm nervous." Katie said as they headed down the stairs.
"Honey, you will be fine. You don't want to be late on your first day." Christine said. Katie would never understand her reasons for keeping them away or for changing their last name to her maiden name.
"Mom, what if Dad is there?" Katie said once Hannah went back up to get her own school bag.
"You handle it the best way you know how. If you want him to know who you are; then you are an adult. I did what I did to protect you girls." Christine said.
"From Dad?" Katie asked.
"No. Your dad loved you kids. From what he has become. The media, the attention, living in a fishbowl. I didn't want you exposed to it. But you are an adult now and Hannah will be. Perhaps its time I face the music." Christine answered. She kissed Katie's forehead, gave her a foil wrapped breakfast burrito and basically pushed her out the door.
Katie drove to the Naval Academy and checked in. Her first class was a Naval History class. As she read her textbook, some yelled 'Attention.' She snapped up and immediately dropped her textbook.
"Problem?" A familiar voice asked. Katie looked up and saw her father's face.
"Sorry, Sir. I…was reading and…" Katie started.
"Its fine, Recruit…Graham." Admiral Slattery said. He handed her the textbook and went to the front of the class.
It was actually a fairly interesting class. Equal parts funny and light-hearted. Not as stuffy as she had imagined it would be. Her dad didn't seem to recognize her, which bothered her a bit. Had she changed that much?
The rest of her classes were much more boring. Her dad had already given an assignment; reading three chapters, in addition to her other assignments. Calculus, history and weather science. Maybe it was a good idea that her mother was willing to work two jobs to put her through the Academy.
She was a little surprised to find both her mom and Hannah home when she got home. Her mom seemed upset by something, but wasn't talking over dinner. Both girls had homework, so they went upstairs while Christine cleaned things up. Late that night, Katie walked downstairs and saw her mom going over bills.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Katie asked.
"My waitressing job isn't going to work out. My boss wants me to sleep with him." Christine said.
"Oh. So…my Naval History instructor is Dad. He didn't recognize me…or didn't seem to. You know…I could tell him…" Katie started.
"NO! You can tell him who you are, and I am sure we can figure something out with Hannah, but after so long; your dad will want nothing to do with me." Christine said.
"Mom; he would take care of you." Katie said.
"I don't need a man to take care of me or you girls." Christine replied bitterly.
"Mom, just…think about it. Dad wouldn't want you working yourself to exhaustion." Katie said before climbing the stairs.
That night as she got ready for bed, she heard her mom crying in her own room. Of course, it was a familiar sound. Her mom missed Lucas, and even though she didn't like admitting it; she missed her husband. Katie just wasn't sure what to do about it.
