September, When It Ends
Chapter 1
Mike walked down the streets of Manhattan, looking at where the Twin Towers had been. He was not a native New Yorker. Christine had been. They had met while he was in New York City, helping the police department with the massive crime scene after the towers fell.
He'd been back to New York several times, but never again in September. The air had just a slight chill. Winter was coming. New York City would never be as busy as it once was, but it still bustled. Mike walked to the small diner where he had met Christine, thankful it was still open. He walked in and was seated. He watched the people walking down the street through the window. The young waitress came up with the coffee pot and filled his cup up.
"What can I get for you today?" The waitress asked.
"Just a cheeseburger and french fries. How long have you worked here?" Mike asked.
"Just two years. My mom is a nurse down the street. She and my dad met here." The young girl said. She was about the age Katie would be if Katie had survived.
"You probably weren't even born when the towers were hit, were you?" Mike asked.
"I was born in late 2002, so no." The young girl said as she tidied up a table next to Mike.
"That's when my oldest daughter was born too." Mike answered.
"I'll get your order in, Sir." She said as she walked away. She kind of reminded him of Katie, but he had learned years before not to go down rabbit holes, thinking someone looked like his wife or daughters. It just caused heartache.
The street outside the window hadn't changed a great deal since his last visit. The stores were emptier. The young waitress brought his order and refilled his coffee. She still reminded him of Katie. And that hurt.
"How long are you here, Sir?" The young girl asked.
"A few days. Just visiting the city, post retirement." Mike answered.
"Oh, what'd you retire from?" She asked.
"Navy. I was an officer." Mike answered.
"My dad was too. He was a lieutenant commander. We haven't heard from him since the Red Flu." She said.
"What's your name?" Mike asked.
"Katie. Your's?" Katie answered. It surprised Mike for a moment. But Katie was a very common name.
"Mike." Mike answered.
"Is there a way to search for him? My mom has given up and thinks he abandoned us or died. I don't think he would ever abandon us, but I don't know…" Katie asked.
"What's his name?" Mike asked, pulling a napkin out to write on and a pen out of his pocket.
"Mike Slattery." Katie answered. Mike's head immediately jerked up.
"Katie…" MIke started.
"Yeah, that's my name." Katie said.
"Katie…I'm Mike Slattery. I'm your dad." Mike answered.
"How did I not recognize you?" Katie asked as Mike stood up.
"I've grown older." Mike replied before pulling Katie into a hug. He didn't want to let go but Katie still had to work. "What about your sister?" Mike asked. He was scared to ask, but he had to know.
"She's in school. Even though Mom has a good job, rent is high. She needs me to work." Katie explained.
"I'll help with that. I never intended on abandoning you all. I had even came here before." Mike admitted.
"My shift is over at three and Mom is supposed to pick me up. I can text her and have her come in?" Katie offered.
"Yes. Thank you." Mike said. The cook signaled Katie and Mike sat back down, hoping she hadn't gotten in trouble. It would be odd to be reunited with Christine in the same restaurant he had met her years before. Almost like destiny.
He read a newspaper, and drank coffee while waiting on Christine. Finally, at three; Katie sat down across from him with her lunch. She was fairly quiet but did seem to want to get to know him again. Finally, at 3:30, a much more tired Christine walked in, looking for Katie.
"Katie? I'm exhausted." Christine said. Mike nodded at Katie, stood up and turned around so Christine could see him. Her jaw immediately dropped. "Mike?" Christine asked before rushing to him. He pulled her into a hug and felt her sag against him. Katie was watching them with a smile on her face.
"I missed you so much." Mike whispered into her ear.
"I missed you too." Christine said.
"Mom, what time do we need to pick Hannah up?" Katie asked.
"Now, honestly." Christine said as she pulled away.
"Well, we'd better go." Mike answered. He paid for his ticket and Katie's food and followed Christine and Katie out. "My hotel is close. I just walked. No vehicle here." Mike said.
"You can ride with us." Christine said as she got to an ancient Jeep. Mechanically, it didn't sound like it was operating well. He got in the passenger front seat and Christine settled in the driver's seat. Katie was in the backseat.
"Dad, are you going to be staying with us?" Katie asked.
"Uh…" MIke started. He glanced over at Christine, knowing they had been near a divorce before.
"I'd like you to, for however long you're here…" Christine said.
"I'd like to too." Mike said.
"Good. Hannah will be happy to have you home." Katie replied.
"Where is home?" Mike asked.
"Brooklyn. Manhattan is closer to my work and Katie's but Brooklyn is safer." Christine answered.
"You always liked Brooklyn better." Mike remarked.
"Yeah. So, I have to get Hannah picked up but after we get her, we can come back in and get your clothes?" Christine suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good." Mike answered.
"Will you check out of your hotel?" Katie asked.
"Katie…" Christine warned.
"Its okay. If its okay with your mom, I will." Mike said as he gave Christine a sideways glance. She met his eyes and nodded.
"Your dad will stay with us as long as he wants." Christine said as they crossed the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. In a world where literally everything had changed, Mike was glad that old bridge hadn't.
"Thank you." Mike said quietly.
"Dad…where's your home?" Katie asked.
"I honestly don't have one. I've only been retired a few weeks. I haven't settled anywhere." Mike admitted.
"Good." Christine remarked. Mike wasn't quite sure what she meant, but she seemed happy at least.
Just a moment later, Christine pulled up to a high school and Mike got to hug Hannah. Just as when she was younger, she was a spitfire and Mike wouldn't change that for anything. Christine drove him back to the hotel where Mike collected his luggage–his only belongings, and checked out.
Christine's house was a fairly nice two-story brick home in a safe area in Bay Ridge. It was a working class neighborhood but the girls seemed to like it. Christine had made it into a home for the girls and Mike felt at ease as soon as he walked in. The girls had scurried off to their rooms and Christine spoke up.
"I can have the girls sleep together and sleep in one of their rooms so you can sleep in the primary if you'd like." Christine offered.
"Is…there a possibility of both of us sleeping in the primary?" Mike asked.
"I'd like that." Christine admitted. It struck Mike that she seemed almost shy. Not like the confident, opinionated woman he had met nearly twenty-three years before.
"Christine…if its a do-over you're wanting but don't know how to ask for, I'm in." Mike said.
"Between me and you; there's about as much water under the bridge as the water under the Brooklyn Bridge." Christine remarked.
"We can build a tunnel." Mike answered as he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"I like the sound of that." Christine said before giving him a kiss. It was still shy but she was reaching out at least.
"Good." Mike answered. He wanted to hold Christine all night but there was stuff to do. She would want to fix dinner and he would need to unpack. But, it was a start.