Deer Park
Chapter 10
"I always wanted to do a memorial service of sorts, but never felt right about doing it without you here. I'm fine with it." Christine said as they got ready for bed.
"Are you okay with me getting ahold of Russ to see if he could do it?" Mike asked.
"There isn't anyone else I'd rather have do it." Christine answered.
"She is really broken up. I think more than anything its guilt that she lived and he didn't." Mike remarked.
"I hate that she didn't feel she could come to me." Christine replied.
"She loves you. Me…she is still get used to having around again. I think she was protecting you. I have no doubt that you could handle it. That's why I told you." Mike said.
"I miss him still." Christine remarked.
"I know. I do too. We have to help her find some closure, and I think along the way, we'll find closure as well." Mike said. Mike sat down on the bed and once she took her robe off, Christine sat down on the other side.
"I hope so." Christine said.
"Christine, are you mad because she talked to me and not you?" Mike asked.
"Not mad…disappointed, I suppose." Christine remarked.
"She talked to me because I have been in and out of her life since she was three. You have been her constant. She has seen how the grief for Lucas as affected you. She hasn't seen it with me. As far as Katie is concerned, I am barely a blip on her radar. It'll take some time before I'm anything else." Mike explained.
"She doesn't feel that. She loves you." Christine said.
"Well, rather she does or doesn't, it worked to my advantage this time. I actually used it to get her to open up and it worked." Mike said.
"I see. Just don't think she doesn't love you." Christine remarked as she settled next to him.
"I did have her trade so she'd have tonight off. Figured she was mentally fried. I think she said she's working Wednesday instead." Mike said. Christine leaned over and gave him a long kiss.
"Probably wise. I love you." Christine said.
"I love you too. And please don't be upset with Katie for talking to me. Maybe now that its off of her chest, she'll feel better?" Mike remarked as he pulled Christine onto his chest.
"I hope." Christine agreed.
"Tomorrow, I'll drive to where I have a signal and call Russ. Maybe see about a burial plot and headstone." Mike said.
"Dad has information for the cemetery. I can talk to him. What about a headstone with his name in the middle and your name on one side and mine on the other?" Christine suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'll go to the next town over and see what I can find out." Mike said. He kissed her head, hoping that she fall asleep soon, as bad as that was. He was exhausted after the conversation with Katie.
"I just hope she's strong enough." Christine said. Mike yawned and Christine looked up at him.
"Sorry. Today was exhausting." Mike admitted.
"I should have realized. Get some rest." Christine said. She gave him another long kiss before settling on his chest. Quickly enough, she was sound sleep, but sleep was elusive for Mike, mostly because he was listening for Katie.