Shattered

•Three•

NOW

"I can't say it enough, Chrissy; Happy Anniversary."

Jack pulled into the driveway of his sister's house. I had to lean forward to be able to see the entire house out the windshield. The two story red brick colonial style house towered over us. I sat gawping as Jack came around and opened the passenger door for me.

I wasn't sure what to wear tonight, but Jack promised I looked like myself in the satin black halter dress I had hanging in the closet. I twisted my hair back and pinned it up as best as I could. Before we left, Jack surprised me with a pair of diamond earrings in what I knew was a Tiffany blue box. He stood behind me, admiring as I placed them on my ears.

Hand in hand, we stepped up to the front door but before Jack could knock, it opened.

"Oh my gosh, sweetheart! Come here!" A tall woman gathered me in her arms, smelling strongly of floral perfume.

"Trish, you have to reintroduce yourself, sis." Jack placed an arm around me once Trish let go.

"Duh. I'm so sorry." Trish shook my hand and laughed.

I did recognize her from one of the photos in the hallway. Her eyes matched her brother's. Jack went over everyone in the photos, insisting they were important people in our lives. The handsome man next to Trish had to be her husband Rob. He didn't seem as outgoing as Trish, but there was a friendliness in his eyes. I shook his hand as well, and Trish invited us in.

Jack brought up the party idea to his sister over the phone and she loved it, begging for us to let her throw it in our honor at her place. To say I was nervous was an understatement.

But Trish was sweet and kept cracking jokes. It was easy to like her. She'd give orders to Rob and he'd do exactly what she'd ask with a smile. They meshed well. Jack and I sat together at the kitchen table as Trish and Rob performed almost a routine dance in the kitchen, moving around one another to do the things they needed to do.

As if sensing my admiration for their obvious compatibility, Jack took my hand across the table and stroked my knuckles with the pad of this thumb. I gave him a smile.

"Thank you, Trish, for doing this for us," Jack directed to his older sister.

"It's nothing! We're happy to do it! I've been waiting to get my hands on Chrissy again. Why have you been keeping her from us? Even Grace hasn't seen her yet. You're going to get an earful from her, Jackie. I promise you that." Trish glared at Jack, pointing a finger his way.

Rob finally contributed to the conversation. "Every single person we invited is coming. It's going to be crowded. I hope that won't be too difficult for you, Christine."

Jack answered for me, in sync with his sister. "She'll be fine!"

I looked at Jack and he pat my hand in reassurance. "Really, I won't leave your side. It's going to be okay. If it's too much, just tell me and we'll leave."

Trish carries a platter of cheese and motions for me to take it. "Let's set these up outside." She grabs a fruit platter off the counter and I follow her to the back deck.

The deck and the entire back yard is lit up with twinkle lights and I'm stunned. There are a dozen of cocktail tables set up with table cloths and embellished with candles of various sizes.

"Wow, Trish..." I stopped dead in my tracks, taking the scene in. "You and Rob did all this?"

"Well, mostly me. Rob helped. I guess you don't remember I'm a wedding designer?"