Past and Present Lives
Chapter 4-Past Life
Mike really didn't want to pick out a headstone for his son. He could understand how it might be cathartic for Christine, but he was not emotionally tied to the baby. He hadn't wanted a fourth child. He had even accused Christine of cheating. He knew better but the words were out there, hanging between them.
In the week before he deployed, he spent every available minute with the kids. Christine kind of got pushed to the side. Mike was quickly losing interest in his marriage and wife. They were both aging. Christine had been a beauty when they first got married, but four pregnancies, marital and financial concerns, and busy kids had taken a toll on her looks. Two nights before he was to leave, Mike went to the bar with some friends. He had called Christine and told her that he had meetings.
The friends were not the friends who would keep him from making a mistake. The friends Mike was with at the bar actually encouraged him to take the random woman back to her hotel room. It was a lot of fun and the woman was younger than Christine and beautiful, but Mike knew he had made a terrible mistake.
He slipped out after showering and went home. He got ready for bed and settled in next to Christine. It immediately struck him that Christine cuddled up against him and wrapped her arms around him. Instead of sexy lingerie, like the woman from the bar wore, Christine was wearing a cotton nightgown with little blue flowers on it. It reminded Mike of something his granny had worn. She hadn't lost the weight from the pregnancy yet and was looking particularly exhausted.
Maybe she knew what had been on Mike's mind. Maybe she hoped it would pass. He had made a lot of promises and had no intention of keeping any of them. Now that he had cheated once, he would do it again. The dam had been broken. It was just a question if Christine would find out.
He spent the next day with the kids. Christine came along, but she stayed pretty quiet. She would talk to the kids and would smile and laugh at them, but Mike could tell it was not heartfelt. If she suspected what Mike had done the night before, she never uttered a word. She made the day special for the kids and even Mike. He was grateful for that. As they got ready for bed that night, he noticed she was wearing a bit sexier nightgown. He knew she couldn't have sex comfortably at the moment, but he still appreciated the gesture, even though he didn't really want sex with her.
"Is this new?" Mike asked, pointing at the nightgown.
"Not new. You just hadn't seen it." Christine answered.
"Its really nice." Mike answered.
"Thanks for noticing. So, once the headstone is placed, I'll email you photos. I know you won't be able to email back but maybe once you get headed home; you can look at them?" Christine suggested.
"Possibly." Mike answered.
"What time do you need to be up in the morning?" Christine asked. Mike noticed the strap of her nightgown was slipping a bit and normally, he would have helped it, but she really didn't interest him anymore.
"I need to be gone by ten am." Mike answered. Christine set up and set the alarm.
"I set it for six. I'll get up and fix you a hot breakfast. You can relax with the kids." Christine answered. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and smiled up at him. "I love you, Mike. I hope you know that. I know…I've changed and you aren't…attracted anymore. I hope that someday, that will be enough." Christine said. Mike was totally stricken. She cuddled up and was asleep in no time. Mike wasn't as lucky because he tossed and turned all night.