Long Road Home
Chapter 1
The town Mike grew up was smaller and even smaller post Red Flu. He was sure what had possessed him to buy a house there but he was glad he had somewhere to go once he retired.
The first three days; he spent just resting. It was nice not setting an alarm. On the third day, he began making a list of projects and needed supplies. A trip to the grocery store and to the hardware store was necessary.
It was the same hardware store that his dad had gone to, and Mike was pretty certain the same old man still owned it, but he wasn't there to be recognized. He was at the register and realized he needed trim nails.
"Sorry, I need to grab something else." Mike remarked.
"Oh…my girl that helps stock can get it. What is it?" The old man asked.
"The trim nails. Two boxes." Mike answered.
"Hannah? Two boxes of trim nails." The man yelled. As always, it was a gut punch to Mike, hearing someone else that had the same name as one of his daughters. A moment later, a young girl brought two boxes of trim nails to the register. She was about the same age as what his Hannah would be. She had long dark hair that was in a ponytail, held with a ballcap. Blue jeans and a flannel shirt. Not dressed like most teenagers but she seemed hard-working.
"Thank you." Mike told the young girl. She had the same dark eyes that his Hannah had had. He had to look away because it hurt.
"You're welcome." Hannah said before walking away.
"She's a good one. Hard-worker. Works whenever I ask." The old man said.
"She seems young." Mike remarked.
"Fourteen…and yes, I know but its legal now. I just keep her away from the machinery. She'd love to learn wood-working though. Furniture." The old man said as Mike paid for his purchases.
"But what about school?" Mike asked.
"She goes. Her mom works at the grocery store. Money is tight though. Her sister caught the Red Flu really bad and has never recovered. Weak as a kitten." The man explained.
"I see. Well, I'm sure I'll be back. Thank you." Mike said. He grabbed his purchases and headed out.
He got the needed items at the grocery store but wondered around until he got to the bakery. Most grocery stores that still had bakeries used pre-packaged items. This one had home-made pastries and cakes. Mike was looking at the jelly donuts when a familiar voice spoke.
"I like the raspberry best." The woman said. Mike looked up and made contact with the woman. It was Christine. Much older, thinner, and more gray-haired, but it was the same woman he had had three children with and loved for years.
"Christine?" Mike asked, even though he knew. She was crying into her hands so he finally moved around to behind the counter and pulled her into a tight hug. She cried into his chest for several moments.
"How? It's been so long?" Christine finally asked. She was still clinging to him.
"I retired and bought a place here. I had looked everywhere for you and the girls. It was finally time to just come home, I suppose." Mike explained.
"The girls will be happy to see you. I am too, of course; but Katie especially." Christine said.
"Does Hannah work at the hardware store? I could have sworn she was there…but I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me." Mike asked.
"Yes. Money is tight. Really tight. I hate that she feels she needs to work but Katie can't." Christine explained. She had let Mike go and he went around to the front of the counter so she didn't get in trouble.
"I can help, you know? I want to." Mike said. His relationship with Christine had been fractured before but he would take care of his daughters and Hannah would not be working.
"Mike…I'll take you up on that, but I get off work at two. Can we meet…here?" Christine asked.
"Of course." Mike said.
"Thank you, Mike." Christine said.
"I'm assuming you get paid per pastry sold? In that case I want all those jelly donuts and the cream filled ones too. Do the girls like something in particular? I want to have what they like at the house." Mike asked.
"Hannah likes the chocolate cupcakes. Katie likes apple turnovers." Christine answered as she began filling containers with donuts and pastries.
"And you?" Mike encouraged.
"Just seeing the girls happy again will be fine for me." Christine answered with a smile.
"All three of you will be happy again." Mike answered. Christine helped him put the bakery boxes in his cart and then gave him a long hug.
"I can't wait 'til I get off." Christine said.
"I'm going to go home and get things ready. I'll fix supper for you and the girls. I'll come back at two to pick you up if that's okay?" Mike asked.
"Sounds perfect." Christine answered. She leaned up and gave Mike a brief kiss on the lips before going back behind the counter. He quickly picked items to grill since he had very few pans. He also had to pick up some good paper plates, due to not having enough real plates. Maybe Christine would help him set up his house a bit better?
He cleaned his house, almost ashamed that he barely had furniture for his family to sit on. The steaks were marinating and he changed into a better shirt before heading to the grocery store to pick Christine up. She met him at the door and he led her to his truck.
"Where's your car?" Mike asked.
"I don't have one. I just walk. It's a little harder with Katie though. She gets so winded." Christine said.
"Okay. So…I have a house and I want you and the girls there. I just have no furniture or anything. I had to buy paper plates because I didn't have enough real ones. I was hoping you'd help." Mike explained.
"How about you stay at my apartment until we get it set up? You can be near the girls and we can get used to each other again." Christine suggested.
"That sounds good." Mike answered with a smile. Christine had settled in the passenger seat of the truck and he gave her a long kiss.
"Just prepare yourself, Mike. Katie is in rough shape." Christine said.
"From the Red Flu?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. We all got it and we all got the shot in time but Hannah and I recovered. Katie never did. I got the girls here and I could only afford to treat her at home and then the local doctor got here. He's helped but I can't get her to a pulmonologist, which is what she needs." Christine explained.
"We'll get her to one." Mike told her.
"It'll be expensive." Christine remarked.
"Let me take care of the logistics and finances. You just concentrate on resting and taking care of our girls." Mike said. Christine thought for a moment and then nodded.
"And make your house a home?" Christine asked.
"Yes, that too." Mike answered. He gave Christine another kiss before walking around and getting into the driver's seat. She gave him directions to her apartment. Mike had to admit, he was nervous. His girls had grown up without him and they could choose that they didn't need him.
Of course; he would get medical care for Katie. Set Christine up a bit better. Hannah wouldn't have to work. He would be as involved as they allowed him to be. As he drove, he psyched himself out a bit.
Christine's apartment was run-down, but as soon as he followed Christine in, he realized how homey it was. There were several blankets and quilts sitting around and it smelled like lavender.
"Please make yourself at home. She's probably resting." Christine said.
"I don't want to disturb her." Mike said.
"Trust me, she will want to see you." Christine remarked before heading into an adjoining bedroom. Mike sat down at the kitchen table and looked around. It was definitely very home-like even though the furniture was not expensive. A moment later, Christine led a very frail looking Katie out. Mike was not prepared for how rough she would look but he still stood up and met her half-way.
"Daddy…I've missed you so much." Katie said as he hugged her.
"I've missed you too, baby. So, so much." Mike said. He was afraid to squeeze too hard because Katie's breathing was very raspy but she was holding on for dear life. Finally, Christine cleared her throat.
"Katie, he's not going anywhere. There will be lots more hugs. No need to wear yourself out now." Christine said.
"That's right, honey. I'm here for good." Mike told her. He kissed her forehead before helping her to a chair. Just walking across the room winded her. He was going to be calling Lloyd Milowsky soon. Too bad Rachel wasn't still alive.
Since it was Saturday; Hannah would be getting off early. She walked home and as soon as she saw Mike, she looked towards Christine.
"I knew you looked familiar but I couldn't figure out why." Hannah remarked. Mike pulled her into a hug, but immediately sensed that she was less than thrilled by his sudden appearance.
"I missed you, sweet pea." Mike said into her hair, using the same nickname he'd always used for her.
"What's for dinner? I'm starving." Hannah asked, pulling away from Mike.
"We're going to your dad's for dinner. You can make a sandwich to hold you over." Christine said.
"Your mom is going to help me make it into more of a home. You girls can decide how you want your rooms done." Mike explained.
"I don't care." Hannah said.
"Hannah, please? He's trying. And it would get Katie the care she needs." Christine begged. Katie was sleeping in the recliner.
"And you could concentrate on school and whatever else that interests you. You wouldn't need to work." Mike said.
"I like working. Mr. Gibson is nice and I'm learning plenty. Besides, you don't know me. Don't try to decide what's best for me." Hannah said. She walked into the bedroom that she apparently shared with Katie.
"Mike; its been a long time. She said herself that she didn't remember you well. Just take your time. Don't force her. Hannah has been a huge help to me. Its going to be a bit before she gets out of that mindset." Christine said.
"It bothers me that she doesn't remember me." Mike remarked. Christine walked around the kitchen table and wrapped her arms around him.
"She remembers that she loved you once. Just hang onto that." Christine said. She leaned up and gave Mike a long kiss before pulling away. It was going to be a long road.