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This is one of the shortest story I've written. It different, but it's mine.  :-)  Sharon

WHAT HAPPENED TO JAKE

by

Sharon Kizziah-Holmes

    Clari Armstrong kicked the golden leaves at her feet as she strolled through the park-like yard of the mansion that was now hers.  In her eyes, the future was bleak, but everyone else thought she had it made.  The words her mother had said just after Jake's funeral came to mind for the umpteenth time.

    "Stop whining.  Look what he left you.  You can get a bundle out of this place.  And there's no telling how much money he had in the bank."  She patted Clari's hand.  "You are a rich woman."

    Did everyone think money was the only thing in life that mattered?  She didn't care about all of this splendor.  She just wondered how she could go on living without Jake.  He was her soul mate, and now he was gone.  Why?  Why did life deal such hands to people in love?

    She approached the steps of the grand mansion.  The marble pillars that supported the porch stood like silent giants who told the cold hard truth.  She was alone.

    Since the day she'd met her true love, she knew that his job as a Pulitzer Prize winning freelance writer could be dangerous.  He had a habit of sticking his nose into stories that sometimes; the people involved didn't want the world to know about.  But it wasn't a drug cartel or a terrorist that killed him, it was the government of the country he tried to flee.  What secret did he know?

    Pictures of his tortured body played through her mind.  He was thin, so thin.  His cheeks drawn, he barely looked himself.  Only the hair she'd run her fingers through so many times, told her Jake was the one inside the coffin.  Her husband must have died a terrible death.

    No!  No, she wouldn't let herself think about the gory details any longer.  It was time to move on.  Time to start her life again. 

    Straightening her spine, she took the stairs with a newfound confidence.  Jake loved her, and she knew he wouldn't want her pining away any longer.  After all, it had been a year since she'd laid him to rest.

    The knobs of the double doors that led into the house were cool to the touch.  The crisp fall air seemed to follow her into the foyer as she greeted the housekeeper she'd grown so fond of.  "Good morning, Bess."

    "Morning, ma'am."

    A bright smile lit the older woman's face.  It had been months since Bess had even lifted the corners of her mouth in a grin.  Clari knew she'd loved Jake just like a son and had taken his passing very hard.  But this morning there was something about the way Bess carried herself that was different. 

    "Bess?"  She found the matron's mood contagious and was unable to stop the smile that crossed her own face.  "What are you up to?"

    "Someone in the study to see you, ma'am."

    Who in the world would be there at that early hour of the morning?  She stepped into the room that been Jake's favorite and greeted the man that had so often been there for her since Jake's passing.  "Hi, Brian."  He turned to face her and took her hands in his.  She’d grown accustomed to their comfortable relationship but wondered what brought the man who’d been Jake’s partner, here today. 

    "Clari?"

    What was that gleam in his eye?  "Yes?"

    "I'm the man who's going to make your life complete once again."  He squeezed her hands.  “But, you have to trust me completely.  Can you do that?”

    Being with Jake was the only thing that would achieve that miracle for her, and that was impossible, but he had always trusted Brian, and she had no reason not to. “Yes,” she answered.

* * *

    Clari's heart jumped into her throat when the tires screeched against the runway pavement of the tiny airport.  She had safely arrived at her destination, and in a few minutes she'd be in the arms of the new man in her life.

    She never thought she'd be happy again, but next to the day she married Jake, this was the happiest day of her life.   

    The small aircraft pulled to a stop, and in moments the pilot opened her door. 

    "Mrs. Barnell, I'll bring your things shortly.  Barney's waitin' for ya."

    Barney, how funny, she’d have to get used to that.  Butterflies flitted in her stomach at the thought of seeing the man of her dreams again.  Their new, protected life together would start when she stepped off the plane.

    Her feet hit the ground and there he was.  Just as she remembered him.  His dark hair shone in the sunlight, his mesmerizing brown eyes pierced her soul and she knew she'd made the right decision.  Her voice escaped just above a whisper, "Barney."

    His arms encircled her in a familiar caress of love.  His warm breath fanned her cheek and his deep voice murmured softly in her ear.

    "I love you."

    How she'd longed to hear those simple words from him again.  Tears welled in her eyes.  They were alone now, and she could allow his name to pass quietly through her lips, so only he would hear.  "I love you too, Jake."