Deer Park
Chapter 5
Christine was thoroughly enjoying Mike being there, but she was afraid he would leave. He was resting up and it was only a matter of time before he got bored. But, he just seemed to be getting more comfortable. It was turning cold and he insisted on driving her and the girls around and would be winterizing the house while they were at work and her mom's house.
"I didn't ask, but this truck is really nice. Is it a rental?" Christine asked.
"No. I bought it on the way here from Detroit. I had to make a stop and I wanted to get a check up." Mike said. Thankfully, he'd already dropped the girls off.
"Because of those women?" Christine asked.
"Yes. It was always protected but…you know?" Mike said.
"Yeah. Thank you." Christine said.
"Look…its not to pressure you and I haven't gotten the results back yet. I gave them your address to send them to. I just wanted to be sure." Mike said.
"It's a good idea." Christine answered.
"Seemed wise." Mike said as he pulled up to her little diner. He would walk her in and help her open everything up.
"Mike, are you happy here? I was afraid you would be getting bored. No cell phone. No cable. No internet. Its turning cold." Christine asked.
"I actually am happier now then I've been in years." Mike told her as they got out of the truck and he unlocked the door to the diner and looked inside before she followed him in.
"I hope you aren't just saying that." Christine said.
"Nope. I am really happy." Mike said as he turned the ice machine on.
"Good. You seem much more rested." Christine said.
"I have been sleeping a lot." Mike admitted.
"And fishing." Christine remarked.
"And playing board games." Mike replied. He leaned down to light the pilot light on the stove just as her first customers arrived. Christine noticed how he turned his face away so they didn't recognize him. She squeezed his shoulder and smiled down at him before attending to the fairly demanding customers.
Mike stuck around a little longer than normal, partly because of the customers and also because he'd found a couple small projects to do around the diner. She fixed him a burger and fries to take with him and kissed his cheek before he left.
"Do you know who that man is?" The woman asked. Given her clothes, she was fairly wealthy.
"My husband." Christine said simply.
"That's Admiral Mike Slattery, Ma'am. I wasn't aware he was married." The man remarked.
"He had thought we had died. Knowing Mike, he probably didn't talk much about his family. Now; what will you have?" Christine asked; hoping to redirect the customers.
"I want a California Cobb Salad but I don't see it on here." The woman answered.
"Not Cobb Salad but I can make you a Chef's Salad or a Ceasar Salad." Christine offered.
"I suppose a Ceasar Salad is fine. Thankfully, we will be out of this God-forsaken town tomorrow." The woman remarked. Christine immediately bristled.
"Its not bad. I've enjoyed how quiet it is. Can I have the club sandwich with those French fries? They looked really good when you packed his lunch up." The man said, obviously a bit more polite than his wife.
"Your cholesterol?" The woman asked impatiently.
"Its fine. I've ate fresh fish all week." Thank you, very much." The man said as he handed the menus back to Christine.
"Can I get you anything else?" Christine asked.
"A jet plane out of here?" The woman retorted.
"You know; its not that bad here. I've lived all over this country and I came back here during the Red Flu." Christine said.
"Its very peaceful. I've enjoyed it. Catherine is just hard to please." The man said, referring to his wife.
"How long is your husband here? Surely, he'll leave at some point. He is extremely successful. Why stay?" Catherine asked Christine.
"He says he is here permanently." Christine answered, trying not to get flustered.
"I am sure after all that he's been through, a place like this would be cathartic and needed. He has been through a hell none of us could even imagine." He remarked.
"He doesn't talk about it." Christine said.
"Our lunches?" Catherine asked as she filed her nails.
"Right on it." Christine answered. The husband mouthed 'Sorry' to Christine before she turned away.
It did make Christine wonder why Mike would stay. He was obviously famous. He could do anything. But there was something about him that seemed broken, almost beyond repair. She just hoped she was strong enough to repair it.