Lisa
and Trent had a fairy tale life, or everyone had once thought
that. Lisa was the most popular girl all through high schol and
college. She was as beautiful as she was intelligent. She had
become a writer and returned to her hometown ( she had loved so)
after college. Trent was the richest kid in town...and never had
to work a day in his life. He went to college (but magored in
drunken stupidity) and returned home degreeless to run his family
business. At the age of 30 Lisa and trent were married. There
had been no real courtship at all, a few high school dances and
a few high class functions but no real dating. The town was shocked
but content with the marriage. Everyone believed Lisa would settle
trent down and hopefully Trent would bring Lisa out of her quiet
shell. When in public they were a happy sort of couple...cordial
and polite. They hosted social gatherings in their home. All seemed
well for the first 10 years.
As
time had gone on Lisa had expressed the desire for children. Trent
agreed to try, for 2 years they tried to no avail. It was discovered
that trent had become sterile during a childhood illness. Lisa
accepted this and for a few years seemed content, she had asked
about adoption a few times, but Trent refused to raise someone
else's mistake. Lisa began to sink into a horrile depression.
Things
had not been as they appeared to the public...and on Lisa and
Trents 25th anniversary the world would know why.
Every
year on their anniversary Trent needed reminding, not once did
he remember to bring his lovely wife flowers...or chocolate. His
secretary had usually sent something a day late when Lisa had
reminded him to late. This year it was going to be differant Lisa
said. If he did not remember their anniversary by 6 pm she was
walking out and never coming back.
As
the hours creeped slowly past Lisa grew more and more distressed,
she had packed a suitcase in her closet as well as a "gift"
for her forgetful husband (she knew he would never look in "her"
closet). At 5 pm she had had enough waiting and told Trent she
had to run to the liquor store on the other side of town for their
favorite wine (a subtle hint). Trent just nodded and asked her
to bring him a pack of cigarettes too. She stormed out in a huff
unbelieving his callous forgetfulness.
It
was an hours drive to the liquor store. Just enough time for the
guests to arrive and decorate for his wifes return. He had planned
the whole thing months in advance but was surprised she had offered
to go to the store, he thought he was going to have to coerce
her into leaving, that is why he made sure their favorite wine
was not available that day. Everyone they had ever known was going
to be there with his biggest surprise ever. He had had his secretary
and lawyer arrange for an adoption of a newborn whose mother had
died during delivery. The paperwork would have to be enough for
tonight, the child would come home the following morning. Trent
truly had loved Lisa and he knew he had never really shown her
that. He was going to make up for it now.
Lisa
pulled into the liquor store at exactly 6 pm. She looked at her
watch and smiled. Suddenly her step grew lighter, her face glowed
and she genuinely looked happy. She entered the store, smiled
at the clerk and headed for the wine rack far in the back. She
was very surprised to find a bottle...wrapped in a purple velvet
cloth with a diamond tennis bracelet. Upon closer inspection she
sees the card addressed to her. She opens it and reads
"Lisa,
I know I have not been the perfect husband, in fact I have been
a louse while you have been the perfect wife.
Please
hurry home with this wine, I have a surprise for you that cannot
wait another day.
Forever
Yours,
Trent"
Lisa
fell to her knees while fire fighters on the other side of town
escorted the wounded from what had once been the stately mansion
belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Trent D. winthrop the third...Trent
was pronounced dead at the scene...apparently he had gone to Lisa's
room to set up a crib and layette for his wifes new child and
was near the closet as the gift his wife bought him exploded.
