Shattered Edge(45)

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We walked into the den and my mother said, “There you two are! We were wondering where you two...” And the look on her face was priceless. Terri’s face looked like the cranberry juice on the bar that my dad had used to make the Cosmo he was getting ready to hand her.

My mom grabbed our hands, pulled us out of the room and took us upstairs. When we got to the second floor she said in a low voice, “Justin, go find a shirt from your father’s closet to wear. Terri, you’ll find a brush in my bathroom. Justin, show her where it is.” And she left us with a wink and went back downstairs.

“Oh my God. We must look like hell Justin.”

Grabbing her hand, I said, “Come on. Let’s hurry.”

I took her into my parents’ bedroom and pushed her into the bathroom. She brushed her hair and fixed her make up while I changed shirts. It only took a couple of minutes and we were back in the den in no time with my mom giving us a big smile.

She came up to us and whispered, “Much better dears.”





CHAPTER SIXTEEN





Terri



December was skipping by on winged feet. Christmas was a week away. Justin and I had done all the shopping for the children in need and had delivered the gifts last week. His office Christmas party was that night and I was getting dressed. I was going over my list of things I had to do as far as gifts were concerned. He had been difficult to buy for since he had just about everything. Lexi and Pearce had helped.

I decided to get him the Nike Sportswatch with GPS since he’d indicated that he was going to train for a marathon this year. I would also download the corresponding App to his iPhone so he could track his progress.

Pearce also recommended a painting by a local Charleston artist, Laurie Meyer, so I bought him one of those too. I was pleased with his gifts and I hoped he would be too.

He was picking me up in about twenty minutes so I needed to get a move on. The party was a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party. Justin was going as Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in my honor, since it was one of my all time favorite movies.

When he walked in the door I nearly fell on the floor in fits of laughter. He was sporting a pale blue leisure suit with a tight white turtleneck, a white belt and white patent leather shoes to complete his ensemble. To top it off, he’d slicked back his hair with some kind of goo.

“Clark, if I were you, I wouldn’t be wearing any short pants around Snots. He’s got him some of that Mississippi leg hound in him, if you know what I mean,” Justin said, in his best imitation of Cousin Eddie.

I couldn’t look at him without losing it. “I cannot take you seriously.”

“What’d ya mean babe? I am serious.”

We walked outside and honest to God, there was a rundown RV in the driveway.

“Oh no. Uh huh. You’re kidding me, right?”

“Now honey, this here is our vacation home on wheels. Come on, or we’re gonna be late.” And then he grabbed me on the ass. “By the way, you’re lookin’ mighty special tonight. You gonna save some of that for your ole man here?”

Oh dear God help me. A monster has been born! I just shook my head at him.

He was the life of the party. I thought I was funny in my sweater with furry snowmen and Santas everywhere and my cutesy little hat with the fur around the trim and the furry ball on the end. But no. Justin won the prize, and he deserved it. The only dark spot in the night was crazy Destiny.

She confronted me again in the bathroom. Why that psycho bitch couldn’t leave me alone, I didn’t know. I’m sure it was because by now, she’d been notified that Justin had filed that harassment case against. her. I was plenty surprised to see her at the party too. Shocked really.

“So, you’re still with the player, I see.”

I gave her my most withering look, if it could be called one anyway. “Not that it’s any of your damn business, but yes we are.”

“Well, count the days. It’s only a matter of time before his infidelity will catch up with him. Just wait and see,” she smirked. She tried to make me think she was hiding some kind of nasty secret.

I just shook my head. “You’re pitiful. You know that, don’t you?”

She jerked her head toward me. Clearly she had not expected me to say that. “What do you mean by that?”

“Desperate words from a desperate woman.”

“I’m not desperate!”

“Well, I disagree. Have a merry Christmas.” I turned and walked away.

I hid my trembling...or at least I thought I did. I rejoined Justin and he was laughing at something someone said. He put his arm around me and his demeanor quickly changed. Excusing us from the little group, he steered me into a private area and asked, “What’s wrong Terri?”