Deer Park
Chapter 7
Mike understood why Christine was so nervous about him leaving, but he had no intention of it. He loved being in Deer Park. He was going to have to go to the city to send his letter of resignation to the Navy and to make contact with his friends. But, he didn't want to go alone.
The question was rather to take the girls and Christine or just Christine. He wouldn't mind either way. He checked Katie's schedule and she was going to be off over a weekend and so Mike decided to broach the subject with Christine one night as they got ready for bed.
"So, I am going to have to go back to Detroit to send my letter of resignation and to contact some friends. I would like to take you and perhaps the girls with me. It would just be for a long weekend and Katie has one coming up. My question is, do you want to with me with the girls or just you and I?" Mike asked.
"Why don't we ask the girls if they want to go?" Christine suggested.
"Okay. If they do go, we'll get a suite." Mike replied. He laid down and smiled as Christine settled next to him.
"I love it here but it would be nice to see a city." Christine remarked.
"I am sure. I am going to have to see if I can get a friend to clean my BOQ out too." Mike said.
"Mike, if you need to go back, its fine. As long as you come home." Christine said.
"Always." Mike answered before giving her a long kiss.
"Are there Chinese food restaurants in Detroit?" Christine asked.
"Yes." Mike answered.
"I don't care what else we do, but I would really love to eat some Chinese food." Christine told him.
"Aye, aye." Mike replied, giving her another kiss.
"And to go to a proper grocery store…and maybe pick up some clothes for Hannah if we can afford it. She is outgrowing everything." Christine continued.
"Aye, aye." Mike repeated, even giving her another kiss.
"And something for Katie. A bookstore, perhaps?" Christine suggested. Katie was still very studious.
"Whatever you want. I'm not concerned about money." Mike answered.
"I know but I am. I just want the girls to have something nice and Hannah needs clothes and Katie…well, never voices much but she would love some books." Christine remarked.
"She is very quiet. Sometimes I wonder if she likes me being here." Mike commented.
"She loves it. Katie…is quiet. She has always been quiet but more so since Lucas died. She was at that camp as a counselor and she survived but he didn't. I suspect she might have been immune but…it changed something in her. And the unfortunate part of being here is there is no one for her to talk to. She won't talk to me about it because she is afraid of hurting me. Mom can't get anything out of her. Occasionally, Dad can whittle little things out of her but probably because of how alike they are. And I doubt she'll talk to you about it, for the same reason that she won't talk to me about it. I worry about her, but Mike; she adores you and she is more upbeat." Christine explained.
"Or she is afraid we'll blame her?" Mike remarked.
"That is what Dad thinks. Of course, its never been done and I know you won't but, she is young." Christine answered.
"Survivor's Guilt can be hell." Mike said.
"That and fear of rejection. If she starts talking, she is afraid her family will reject her. And where would she go?" Christine replied.
"I know you said she probably wouldn't talk to me about it, but I would still like to try." Mike said. Hopefully, he'd be able to sleep.