Marie Fostino
Copyright © Marie Fostino
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
ISBN-13: 978-0692376485
Printed in the United States of America
First Edition
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Corinthians 13:4-8
Chapter One
Crystal’s Predicament
Present Day
It’s going to be another night alone, Crystal thought. She put some chicken pot pie on her plate, and sat in front of the computer to eat and check her email. Blake had not walked in the door, and it seemed to have become a habit that he did not even call or text her to say that he would be late.
Crystal tossed aside her long brown hair with a few blonde streaks before settling in her favorite chair. She tightly clutched the pillow she had made for Blake for their first wedding anniversary. Lately, it seems, she had been crying so much because she was afraid that the man she loved so very much seemed to have stopped loving her in return. Tear stains covered the carefully knitted Bible verse on one side of the pillow saying, “Whatever God has put together, let no man separate.” -Mark 10:9. She and Blake had been married just over a year, and she thought their love had just began to blossom. Her mind raced. It was impossible to stop thinking if something bad had happened to him – Was he injured? In some sort of trouble? Alone… or even worse, not. What could I have done to upset him so much that he no longer wanted to come home to me, she thought. The words kept repeating over and over again in her head, taunting her, and filling her heart with guilt.
Blake towered over Crystal at six feet tall compared to her five foot one height. His dirty blond hair and green eyes had her hypnotized since the day she first laid her dark Italian roast eyes, what he called them, on him. He was very kind and unforgettably thoughtful. In fact, he always complimented her on her clothing, hair, and accessories every chance he could.
Anytime she was upset or in a bad mood, he would act like her favorite Auguste Clown just to cheer her up so he could see that sweet smile of hers. They seemed to not only get along well, but have a lot in common, too. Both were enthusiastic about hiking, bike riding, and gardening, or so it seemed. Blake’s church attendance with
her was spotless, where she served as the Second Grade Sunday School Teacher. Afterward, they would lounge around the house reading magazines, or work together on her flower garden. Blake enjoyed cooking new recipes, and Crystal loved being his guinea pig. He was good for her in every way possible; which made it even more difficult to understand what had gone so terribly wrong. His absenteeism slowly increased her own frustration causing her terrible headaches. Excedrin seemed to be her only comfort these days.
Crystal first met Blake, a restaurant manager, at the 7-11 store where she worked. She looked forward to his presence every morning and could not get enough of his smile or the sound of his velvety voice. Each morning when he would come in for coffee, he would always politely thank her for making it for him just the way he liked it. Finally one day he mustered every ounce of confidence he had to ask her out on a date. His hands were slightly shaking as he handed her a dollar bill to cover the cost of his coffee. There was not one person waiting in line behind him so he could take his time, but became frozen, moving at a glacial pace just staring at her. How could she resist those beautiful green eyes peering into her soul like that? Before he could even finish asking his question, she interrupted him with a humble yes. That is where their love story began, with politeness, simplicity, courage, and humility.
It was six pm on the night of their first date, and Crystal was anxiously waiting while looking out the window every couple of seconds. Any minute now Blake would arrive at her doorstep to take her out for dinner. She kept debating with herself if she should wait for him outside so she could just walk into the car when he pulls up, or inside and wait for the doorbell to ring before greeting him. She didn’t want to appear anxious or desperate. She ran to the mirror to check on her hair and makeup one more time. There was this annoying cowlick that she inherited from her mother, and no matter the amount of Aqua Net Hairspray she used, it still made it’s awkward appearance. While feeling defeated, she remembered a specific morning that Blake briskly walked in for his usual morning cup of coffee. He was running late for work and his shirt was buttoned incorrectly. She didn’t have the heart to tell him; in fact, it was a side of him she had never seen, an imperfect side. A side that reminded her that he too was human, and it made him even more attractive to her. Her thoughts were instantly interrupted by the knocking on the front door. He had arrived.
She jumped at the sound of his knock and turned to run to the door. She slowed her pace, caught her breath, quickly ran her fingers through her hair, and stood for a few seconds behind the door with her hand on the doorknob. She could see his silhouette through the opaque window to the left of the front door. He hadn’t left. He was standing there waiting for her. She casually opened the door and was pleasantly surprised by the bouquet of yellow daisies. That was her favorite flower! How did he know? She wondered. He must have remembered a conversation they had months ago. How thoughtful, she kept thinking as he followed her to the kitchen for a vase and water.
They seemed to hit it off right from the beginning. One of their favorite places to go was a karaoke bar where they ate burgers and took turns singing oldies.
She would never forget the night he asked her to marry him. They went to the karaoke bar, and to her surprise a bunch of her friends were there also. She usually saw a few of her friends, but it seemed like the bar was full of her friends. They ate, laughed, and watched as others got up to sing. They called Blake’s name, and he winked at her before he took his place on the stage. When the music started she knew the tune, it was from Aerosmith, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. Blake had a fine voice, and she enjoyed watching him perform. As the song came to a close, he strode up to her and bent down on one knee pulling out a small, beautiful box. She drew a deep breath. Was this really happening? Here? Now? In front of all these people?
He said the words asking her to marry him, and told her he would be the luckiest man in the world if she accepted. Tears formed in her eyes as she opened up the box to peer at the delicate diamond ring nestled in satin. The bar was quiet, everyone waiting for her answer. She quickly wiped the tears that escaped and ran down her cheeks. She threw her arms around him crying yes over and over again. After their engagement, he sent her a text every day with some cute saying along with the closing line, I love you always. She was the happiest girl in the world.
“No wife of mine is going to work,” he announced after their wedding. “I can support the two of us. Later when we have babies, your job will be to take care of them.”
Taking his feelings into consideration, Crystal managed to keep herself busy by making their home a comfortable retreat. Blake often shopped with her on weekends helping to furnish their new home. They painted the house together, picked out the furniture together, and shaped the house they bought into their own individual home. Blake told Cryst
al she had a good eye for decorating. He seemed to appreciate the little things she bought, like lamps and knickknacks. Each piece had a personal meaning to them – the blue vase with the picture of daisies on it reminded her of the first time he gave her flowers, and the spot light she bought for the living room, reminded her of the lights in the karaoke bar where Blake proposed to her. Memories were wove into every corner of the house bringing her happiness.
Crystal’s weekdays were full of cleaning and cooking, but in the evening around six pm Blake would come home holding flowers or a card with that beautiful smile she loved so much. He never went a night without telling her how beautiful she was, and how much he missed her. She loved the feel of his arms around her. It was always like magic – dinner on the table, followed by dishes together before retiring to watch television and lie in each other’s arms. A night did not pass without fully giving themselves to each other, before peacefully falling asleep. Wedded bliss.
Over the past couple of months Blake had grown distant, and all of those beautiful memories seemed to sadden her. He just did not respond to her like he used to do. His restaurant was taken over by new owners, and he often arrived home late from work. What was more troubling is on the occasion when she would catch him sending a text before hiding his phone in his pant pocket. If she dared to ask him whom he was communicating with, he would grow angry and snap, “It’s just problems at work.”
She remembered when Blake brought her to his job to introduce her to his new bosses. “Hi, Katherine,” said Blake after he introduced Crystal to the other new owners. “I would like you to meet my wife, Crystal.” Crystal put out her hand to shake Katherine’s, but Katherine barely touched Crystal’s fingers with her handshake.
“Nice to meet you,” Katherine said. “You know you have a hard working husband here, and I really appreciate him.” Katherine shook her head to the side and smiled quickly before giving her head a jerk back. Her eyes landed on Crystal for a brief moment and then left.
“Thank you,” she replied with a big smile. “I know he is a real gem.”
“Well just to let you know, he will be quite busy for the next few weeks. Hope you will be alright home alone.” It was silent for a few seconds. “Looks like you are busy yourself.” She continued. “When is the baby due?”
“Soon,” she beamed rubbing her belly. “We are both so excited.” Crystal noticed that Katherine wasn’t looking at her, but starring at her husband as they were talking.
“Right, honey?” She nudged, as she slipped her fingers around Blake’s hand. He smiled and shook his head before giving her hand a squeeze.
“Oh, Blake,” said Katherine. “Can I have a moment of your time in the kitchen?” She looked at Crystal. “You don’t mind do you? He will be right back.” Next she put her arm around his arm leading him to the kitchen leaving Crystal behind.
Ever since that day things had been different at home, and Crystal had doubts about the working relationship with her husband and Katherine. A woman knows, and Crystal could tell that this woman had a passion for her husband.
Crystal could not remember a specific time when it started, but somewhere along the way she began to feel lonely. After a couple of weeks dealing with her husband’s strange behavior, she grew irritated and made sure to let him know it. After that, Blake did not even text her anymore to say he would be late. That’s when she realized that something was horribly wrong. The days for her seemed so long and lonesome, and the nights were full of bitterness. When Blake did come home, he wasn’t hungry, and went straight to bed. Although they still slept in the same bed, their backs were to each other. Neither one, it seemed, was willing or able to break the ice and speak first. Both were stubborn and blamed the other for this alienation of affection. As for Crystal, she had no idea how long she could bear this way of life.
Chapter Two
Broken Hearted
Present Day
As Crystal drove tears silently streamed down her face. All the while the sky was gray, and seemed to be crying along with her. With her endless tears and heavy rain slapping the windshield, it was all she could do to see the road in front of her. How she made it to her mother’s house, she’ll never know. The Christian channel blared on her car radio with the song, “Our God (Is Greater)”. It always seemed to be during difficult times when she felt the need to bathe herself in Christian music. Between sobs she sang the chorus out loud, “…then if our God is for us, then who can ever stop us, and if our God is with us, then what can stand against us…”
Where are you now, God? She screamed in her mind.
Tires squealing, she turned into the driveway. She finally made it to the only place that made her feel secure. She needed to talk to her mother now, more than ever. First she texted Blake: Gonna stay at my mom’s for a while. Gonna give you some space and time with your girlfriend.
Next, Crystal leapt from the car and raced toward her mother’s comforting arms.
“There, there,” her mother, Lisa, soothed, holding her tight. “Come in out of the cold, and tell me what’s going on.”
Crystal removed her jacket, showing off her new tummy before she turned toward her mother with eyes that were puffy and red. She had obviously been crying – a lot.
“Let me make you some tea,” her mother suggested.
She gently put an arm around her daughter and helped her into the kitchen. You know what they say… the kitchen is the heart of the home. Lisa had just finished baking cookies, and the smell was inviting. Crystal grabbed a chair while her mother offered her a box of Kleenex before pouring the water into the teakettle.
“I just don’t know what to do?” Crystal stammered before blowing her nose.
Lisa grabbed two coffee cups and placed them on the table.
“Take a deep breath, and start from the beginning, sweetie.”
“Mom, we don’t even talk to each other anymore,” she stuttered between tears. “I don’t understand why he doesn’t realize that I need him, that we need him.”
Lisa hustled around the kitchen as she listened to her daughter. The whistle sounded letting her know the water was ready. She placed tea bags in both cups, poured the water, and set some fresh baked cookies in the center of the table. Then, she grabbed a chair and nodded for her daughter to go on.
Crystal took a deep breath and let a few more tears fall before she continued. “I saw some lipstick on the collar of Blake’s shirt today when I was sorting the laundry,” she confessed. For a moment, she could not control herself as more tears gushed from her eyes. “What am I supposed to do with that?” She asked. “We’re having a baby, and it sure looks like he’s cheating on me!”
Although Crystal had been suspicious for several weeks, this was the first time she ever mentioned it to her mother, so it came as quite a shock. Lisa heaved a sigh before she spoke.
“Are you sure that he’s cheating on you?” She asked ever so carefully. “It could be a hundred different things. Blake loves you. I see it in his eyes whenever he looks at you.”
“Are you taking his side?” Crystal asked abruptly, her tone acidic. Her body stiffened and she stared at her mother like she had just lost her best friend.
“No, sweetie. I’m not taking any sides.”
Crystal looked puzzled by that statement. All was quiet for a moment. They sipped their tea, and took bites of their cookies.
“Has dad ever cheated on you?” She asked breaking the silence.
Lisa shook her head no unable to sympathize with her grief stricken daughter. She thought back to the beginning of her marriage and how she was given a beautiful gift – her mother, Crystal’s grandmother’s, journals. Maybe that was the reason she was meant to read those journals, she mused. They had helped her to understand love to the fullest. She and her husband, Joey, had learned from her parents’ mistakes, but perhaps for Crystal, they would prove to be the real test. She said a silent prayer, and asked God to provide her with the right words to say t
o her daughter.
“Honey, are you in a hurry to get home?” Lisa asked.
Crystal shook her head. She had not yet told her mom that she did not want to return home that night. She really needed to take a break from Blake.
“Good, let’s take our tea and cookies into the living room. I want you to get comfortable as I tell you a story.”
Curiously, Crystal followed her mother into the living room and settled on the couch. Lisa left and returned moments later with some journals in her hands that were tied shut with yellow ribbons.
“I’m going to share with you, my parents’ past.”
Crystal looked at her oddly. “Grandma and grandpa have been dead for years,” she said. “I never even got to meet them.”
Lisa took out their wedding picture and handed it to her daughter.
“These two people taught me more about love and life than I could ever teach you,” she said, “and now I think maybe it’s time they teach you about those things too.”
“Beautiful picture, mom,” Crystal said handing it back. “I see a little of you in her.”
“Ha ha,” Lisa laughed. “That’s what my friends tell me when they see a picture of you.”
Crystal smiled. It was a compliment to say that she resembled her mother.
“You need to call Blake to let him know where you are and not to worry about you. This is going to take a while, and you might want to spend the night if it’s too late.”
Crystal didn’t mention to her mother that she already sent one. She leaned back on the couch ready to hear what her mother had to say.
“You know, honey, love and marriage are probably the hardest jobs you will ever undertake,” Lisa began as she settled next to her. “I’m going to go back in time to a day when I was in college. That was over twenty-five years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday...”
Sometimes Love Hurts Page 1
