Past and Present Lives
Chapter 8-Past Life
It went to hell so fast. They had been headed towards home when they found out about the virus. Mike waited patiently as one crew member after another got to call home. Most didn't reach anyone. Some found out that their families were gone. A few found that they lost members of their families but still had some left. Mike was the last one to make his call. He could have jumped the line but refused to. Christine answered on the second ring.
"Hello?" Christine asked.
"Christine—its me." Mike said.
"Oh…Mike. Do you know what's happening here?" Christine asked.
"I found out today. Are you and the kids okay? Safe?" Mike asked.
"Mike—Lucas died. He went to that camp. He never made it home. I…tried to get him out of there but I didn't make it in time." Christine explained. It was a gut punch. Christine's voice had cracked midway through. Mike had to swallow his own emotion down.
"Where are you and the girls?" Mike asked.
"Remember that campground you took the kids last fall?" Christine asked.
"Yeah." Mike said.
"There's a safe zone there." Christine continued.
"Got you." Mike answered.
"Mike—I'm sorry. I know how much you loved Lucas. He was the boy you'd wanted for so long." Christine said.
"I love the girls too." Mike said, already getting defensive. Christine was right. While he loved the girls, Lucas had a special place in his heart.
"I know. I was just trying to…I don't know. Do you know how long you'll be?" Christine asked.
"No idea. Everything went out the window today." Mike admitted.
"Should we stay here?" Christine asked.
"At this point, yes. Later, if things get dangerous, head for home. I'll check both places." Mike answered.
"Mike—if something happens, I want you to be happy again. Promise me. You will find happiness again." Christine said, choking up again.
"Nothing is going to happen. You and the girls will be fine." Mike replied.
"Please, Mike. Promise me." Christine repeated.
"Alright. But, you and the girls just stay safe. Please tell them that I love them." Mike said.
"I will. I love you." Christine said. Mike shut his eyes. It was so hard to repeat it back. But Christine had given him nearly twenty years. She deserved an 'I love you' back.
"I love you too." Mike answered. It wasn't that he didn't. But due to the guilt he still felt, the words were hard to say.
"Mike, stay safe. I will do my best to keep the girls safe." Christine replied.
"You too." Mike said. At that point, they lost connection or Christine hung up. He wasn't sure.
It was totally permissible for Mike to go back to his quarters and have some solitude. But, that wasn't Mike. He was a glutton for punishment. He shoved down the grief for Lucas and concern for his daughters and Christine and went back to work. It was easier for him and he was needed.
Mike kept busy and simply didn't acknowledge the grief. What was hard was talking about Lucas in the past tense. Thankfully, when he stumbled, whoever he was talking to would just wait patiently until Mike could correct himself. They were all in the same boat, both literally and figuratively.