AIEWexcerpt

    His pure white marble stone rose gleaming above the sweet smelling grass. The picture adorning it made her eyes
water. Shanna knelt, placing a single red rose she’d picked up at the local florist across the base. Tenderly, she ran her
fingertips over the image impressed in the stone. It was cool to the touch even in the settling heat of the day. If his
mother came as often as Shanna, she’d have realized how painful it was to see the reminder. Her mother-in-law hadn’t
even given her a voice in the decision. She’d chosen a picture Bryan had sent from their honeymoon, one Shanna had
taken it herself. It captured everything she’d loved about him.
    A breeze had tousled his short dark hair that was usually perfectly arranged for business. His blue eyes had been full
of loving joy as she’d captured him in motion, trying to evade her pesky camera. The fullness of his lips, that she’d
found so sensually captivating, were formed into a big grin for everyone that walked by to see.
    Her fingers trailed over his name. Bryan Matthew Karis. Then fell to the date of his birth. April 1, 1976. Finally,
trembling they skimmed the date of his death, which was only a week shy of being a year.
    “I remember it like it was yesterday,” she told him softly. A tear slid down her cheek as she took a seat on the grass.
    She’d relived it so many times. Even so, she still had no idea of exactly what had happened. Her mind had
composed the events that she hadn’t witnessed firsthand from reports at the scene mixed with gossip from around town
that had inevitably made its way to her.
    It had been a normal Friday night. She’d arrived home from her three hour round trip journey to a neighboring city
where she’d discussed her upcoming one-woman show with her agent. Art critics, a few museum coordinators and
even a publisher or two had been scheduled to attend the event that marked the culmination of all she’d worked so hard
for. It was just another part of her dream existence she thought sarcastically.
    She’d stopped on her way in to pick up a new video release they’d both been eager to see. Arriving home, she’d
barely had enough time to take a soothing bath to calm her nerves and relax after the long drive. She’d just stepped out
of the bathroom, her tired yawn changing into a smile as he’d walked in the door and caught her in nothing but her worn
white terry robe.
    “I had to work late,” Bryan explained, gesturing to the clock on the wall that read eight thirty. “Do you want to go
out and grab something to eat?” He’d taken her in his arms even when she’d protested that she was still damp.
    She hadn’t wanted to rumple his best navy suit. “Actually I thought we could just find something here. I rented that
movie we wanted on the way in.”
    “Great,” he’d said removing his tie, as he’d followed her into the bedroom.
    Quickly, she’d put on a pair of casual cotton slacks and a simple top since they were going to be hanging out.
    She’d laughed as Bryan had come out of the bathroom sporting shorts and a t-shirt. Hot natured as always. That
day had been no different. He’d caught her stretched out and relaxed on the bed, her eyes half closed as she waited.
    “Are you sure you don’t want me to run out somewhere?”
    “I’m sure I can whip something up,” she’d mumbled, reaching out for a hand up.
    “It’ll only take a few minutes. I can see you’re worn out. Let me do something nice for you,” he’d said, cupping her
face for a soft kiss.
    “But you just got home.”
    “And I want to finish running before I settle down with you.”
    She’d laughed understanding the double meaning of his comment. Grudgingly, she’d agreed when he’d suggested a
burger from Sullivan’s a few miles away. Stealing another kiss as he’d pulled her up against him, she’d sighed
contentedly.
    “Now, now. You have to let me go.”
    “Since we’ve only been married for thirteen months, we’re still technically newlyweds. So I don’t think anyone
would say no to me for wanting to stick to you like glue.”
    “We can snuggle on the couch when I get back,” he’d replied with an evil twinkle in his eyes. He had a special
dessert in mind for later.
    She’d moved to the side, knowing she’d get what she wanted eventually. Unable to resist the temptation, she’d
swatted him on the butt as he’d passed by, before following him into the hallway. Bryan had slipped on his slides,
grabbed his keys off the entryway table, and disappeared through the door with his mind set on his mission.
    She’d waited an hour before she’d started to get worried.
    “I never should have let you go. Why couldn’t I stand my ground?” she asked the picture. She’d always given in to
him and he’d always loved showing her how much he cared.
    The call had arrived a half hour later. The police officer’s voice had been curt when he told her there had been a
robbery and she needed to get to the ER. She didn’t even remember the drive to the hospital. Her mind had been too
full of worry, concocting images of what she might find.
    What she discovered wasn’t uncommon, she thought now. He’d been shot trying to stop two sixteen year olds from
hurting one of the small restaurant’s waiters. Bryan had tried to use his skills of negotiation to find a good way out for all
of them. He’d always been sure of himself, but what he hadn’t realized was just how nervous the teens were after
someone in the back had tripped the silent alarm. One of them had panicked and shot him from only a few feet away.
The single bullet had torn apart a vessel leading to his heart.
    She’d arrived just as he was taken into emergency surgery. Her only choice of action had been to sit alone in the
stale waiting room that smelled like disinfectant, surrounded by others who had problems of their own. Minutes had
ticked by like hours, as she sat praying, hoping he would be all right, while her eyes watched the clock’s hands.
    It was just after midnight when a nurse entered asking for her to follow. A smile had lit her face. The single realization
that she was about to be reunited with Bryan had raced through her exhausted mind. She’d vowed confidently that
whatever damage had been done they’d weather it together.
    Instead, she’d been led to a small room, with a few dull gray office chairs and a single small coffee table. She’d
known it wasn’t a good sign. Countless times she’d watched similar scenes play out on television. Seen the way people
who were about to receive bad news were separated from the rest of the visitors also awaiting reports about loved
ones. A doctor had entered, removing his teal surgical cap to reveal sweat dampened hair plastered to his head. The
expression on his wrinkled face had been grim when he forced her to sit down, then perched his tall frame on another
chair by her side. His words had chilled her to the bone. Shanna couldn’t resist as a shiver caused her to squirm now,
while the memory played on.
    “We were able to correct the damage to the best of our abilities.”
    “So he’s okay?”
    “I’m afraid that his heart couldn’t take the strain.”
    “He had a heart attack?”
    He’d shaken his head affirmatively, his gaze dropping from hers. “We did everything we could to save him, but I’m
afraid he didn’t make it Mrs. Karis. Your husband is dead.”
    Pain had welled up in her heart, and numbed her body forcing her to remain silent as he leaned forward to pat her on
the back, clumsily offering comfort. Finally, she’d managed, “But he was so healthy.”
    “His body was healthy, but his heart just wasn’t strong enough for the ordeal.”
    She’d shaken her head, refuting the statement. There was nothing weak about the man she loved, most of all his
heart. He had loved like no other. The bounds of his caring were unlimited. He’d eaten right, ran every morning, taken
vitamins. And all because of a few dollars he’d been taken away.
    “Do you have someone you can call?”
    “Yes,” she responded woodenly, delving inside her purse to retrieve a small black address book.
    “You can use that phone,” the doctor said, rising from the chair, obviously uncomfortable. “I have to get back.”
    She’d agreed with a small nod of her head, waiting as the receiver rang in her ear. Her mom’s voice had come over
the phone. Shanna had told her as quickly as possible where she was, afraid she wouldn’t be able to get it out as reality
had started to intrude.
    Concern edging her voice over the line, the older woman had asked what was wrong.
    Another long moment had passed as Shanna collected herself. “Bryan’s dead,” she replied, before bursting into
tears. Grateful now that no one was around.
     “We’ll be right there,” she’d heard before the sudden disconnecting click. Numbly she’d dropped the phone over
the cradle, uncaring if it had hit its mark. What was she supposed to do next?
    It still didn’t make sense, Shanna reflected, turning to look out over Cherry Grove. Its familiar layout now
overshadowed by thin stringy clouds that were speeding by overhead. The quaint southern town appeared to be the
picture perfect scene of decency. Yet to her on that night it had seemed like the worst place in the world to be. It held
too many memories and still did. One day at a time, her therapist’s voice echoed in her head. She had to try and rebuild
her life, knowing that she couldn’t trust in dreams anymore.