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Chapter 20
It had been a long year. A hard year. Christine had gotten pregnant just before Mike deployed and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Mike hadn't been able to come home to see him or be there for Christine. But Levi was well loved and the girls adored him. Mike had also missed Katie's graduation. Christine had just gotten Levi down for his nap when her cellphone rang. She answered, knowing it was probably Mike.
"How's my boy?" Mike asked.
"He's napping and the rest of us are good too." Christine answered.
"Good. Girls at school?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. Katie is enjoying her college classes. I'm really glad she didn't go away for her college." Christine remarked.
"She is going to have to eventually leave the nest." Mike replied. It irritated Christine. There was still an air of animosity and tension between Mike and Katie.
"As far as I am concerned, she can stay as long as she likes. She's a great help with Levi and getting Hannah to all her stuff so I can stay home with the baby." Christine answered.
"She's going to have to grow up." Mike replied.
"Mike, she's nineteen. She is mature and helpful. If you were home, you'd see it." Christine said.
"I'm not arguing with you. I am just stating a fact. Katie needs to look into moving into the dorm. And what kid doesn't want to go away for college?" Mike remarked.
"I like having her at home. She'll be gone soon enough." Christine argued. She was not forcing her oldest daughter out of the house.
"If she wants me to continue paying for her college, she'll find a dorm, sorority or apartment." Mike said, issuing an ultimatum.
"Mike–she got a scholarship. You aren't paying anything. I know that because I do the finances. Someday, I will understand why you hate her the way you do. I just think you should know–Katie loves you. She constantly seeks your approval. Everything she does. She has even talked about applying for the Academy." Christine said.
"She doesn't have what it takes." Mike replied.
"How would you know? You've not been home in a year and when you are, you spend very little time with Katie. I'm just curious what she ever did that was so wrong in your eyes. To me, she's always been a good daughter and sister. Hopefully, someday you'll realize it before its too late." Christine said.
"Are you coming to Mayport or not?" Mike asked, changing the subject.
"I can't. Girls have school and Levi doesn't need to be around all those loud noises." Christine answered.
"I don't know when I'll be back to St. Louis." Mike commented.
"Take your time. We miss you but we'll be waiting." Christine said, ignoring all the slights against Katie and the gaslighting.
"Is Sarah still helping you?" Mike asked.
"Yeah. She's also a huge help." Christine said. Sarah had become a good friend for Christine and a surrogate aunt to the kids. She hated Mike and the feeling was mutual.
"Seems a bit much to me. You say Katie is such a help but you also have Sarah, but whatever." Mike replied.
"Mike, goodbye. We love you. I love you." Christine answered.
"I love you too." Mike replied.
Christine couldn't understand why Mike was so against Katie. They had been doing pretty well before he deployed and Christine knew that Katie still emailed her dad. Initially, it was everyday. As time went on and Katie got fewer responses, she went to once a week and then once a month. It seemed Mike only emailed Katie when he wanted to berate her about something.
He was fine with Hannah and seemed excited to meet Levi, but Katie was not a priority anymore. He never asked to talk to her when he called and was not happy when Christine handed Katie the phone. She was nursing Levi and had the TV on. When she looked up they were talking about Mayport being hit and Christine knew Mike was there.
She waited for the girls to get home before telling them. Sarah was supposed to take them for coffee and to buy Christine's birthday present. Hours went by. Neither Katie or Hannah were answering their phones. Finally, Christine got ahold of Sarah.
"Where are the girls?" Christine asked.
"You should ask your husband when you talk to him next about Gran Colombia. We are holding them to make him do what we want. He's very high ranking…although there's no love lost between him and Katie. We could kill her and it would be no affect." Sarah replied. Christine heard Katie scream and a gunshot.
"Mike will do the right thing." Christine replied, even though she was falling apart.
"Even at the cost of his daughters." Sarah said before ending the call.
Christine went through the motions. She called law enforcement and the Navy. She assisted in anyway she could. She took care of Levi, but her whole world had imploded and Mike didn't even know, if he was even alive. She knew if he did live through the attack; she'd have hell to pay due to the girls being kidnapped.