Now and Forever
Chapter 5
Hannah was really struggling with Christine's suicide attempt. The girl had barely been away from Christine and by the next morning, she was almost beside herself. Christine would be held for 96-hours and longer if needed. From what Dr. Fitzpatrick told Mike; Christine was doing well and was talking.
Once Katie went to work and he took Hannah to school; he felt a bit lost. He couldn't visit Christine but he did take a couple changes of clothes and notes from the girls and him to the hospital. He got back to Christine's house and walked into her bedroom. Katie had stripped the bedding off the night before and he had already thrown everything away due to the blood. The mattress was sunk in the middle and the bedframe was old and worn out. Christine would probably prefer to pick her own things but Mike also wanted things to be fresh and new for her and Katie had told him that there were money issues.
He drove to the nearby city and walked into a furniture store where he bought a new bedroom set, mattress and box springs that would be delivered the next day. He went to a home décor place and found new sheets, a comforter, blanket, curtains, and throw blankets and pillows. He sent Katie a picture and got a thumbs up. He got back to the town where Christine and the girls lived in time to pick Hannah up from school and instead of cooking dinner, he took her to the restaurant where Katie worked.
They were able to eat together, and Mike explained to the girls about redecorating Christine's bedroom. He would have repainted, but Katie told him that Christine had the summer before and loved the dark gray that she had painted the room. Thankfully, the décor Mike got would go well with the gray.
He looked in at Hannah, who was reading in her bedroom. He could tell she was sad and missing her mom. He knocked on the door and smiled at her. "I know you're missing your mom. I spoke with Dr. Fitzpatrick. She said that your mom told her that she misses you girls too and hopes you sleep good. She loves you." Mike said.
"Did I do something wrong and that's why she did that to herself?" Hannah asked. Mike thought for a moment before sitting down next to Hannah.
"Sweetheart; you didn't do anything wrong. If anything, this is on me. Your mom was afraid that I would take you girls away. That was never my plan but it is possibly what led her to this." Mike answered.
"One of the police officers mentioned that it was odd that she didn't write a note." Hannah remarked.
"People don't always leave notes. Sometimes, the idea just strikes them. I would say that was what happened to your mom." Mike said.
"If she was sad, why didn't she find one of us?" Hannah asked.
"Because she might have thought we wouldn't help her. The big thing is now; we have to give her space but we also have to be there for her so she doesn't feel alone again." Mike explained.
"What happens when you leave again?" Hannah asked.
"I honestly am thinking about retirement." Mike said. Hannah gave him a big smile in response.
"Please? We've missed you. Even Mom has." Hannah begged.
"I've missed you all too. Now; its late and you have school. I love you, sweetheart." Mike said.
"I love you too, Daddy." Hannah answered. He kissed the top of her head once he stood up and stepped out of the room. He had some soul-searching to do.