Having spent their 6th marriage anniversary watching TV on the couch, Jenna was certainly worried about the way things were going on between them. She no longer complained about the lack of romance in their marriage and he no longer seemed to care. The very frequent quarrels were of no significant help either. That is why she was beyond surprised when Jack wanted to take her out to dinner tonight. Not just to the diner that she had learned to expect, but a nice white - tablecloth restaurant.
No need to say that she was over the Moon when he took her to the river side where they had first met. And her smile only grew in dimension when he took her hands in his and said that he loved her. Jenna was relieved. The passion was still there. Was it possible that she had been pushing him away? …. Maybe it was all in her head. And then Jack looked into her eyes; those bottomless blue ones she had fallen in love with stared at her with earnest emotion. Her Jack was back; and she was prepared to leave everything behind and run away with him again if he would just say so. She followed the trail of his lips as he parted them to speak …..
“I know things have been tough for us in the past, Jenna and if you know anything about me, you will know that I am a survivor. I make it through things and don’t let them stop me, Jen”. He paused as if forming the words in his head, but firm resolve shone in his features. Jenna didn’t think much of it. In fact, she thanked God for what seemed like the first few earnest words he had told her in months. She couldn’t move even if she wanted to; she was his …. And he was her Jack …….
“ And today I just wanted to tell you that I love you and ….” He kissed her tenderly with the infinite patience of a man for whom all bets were off ……
“ I may not be your first kiss , Jennifer ; but you know I want to be your last ……"
She beamed at him. Memories of the first time he had told her this played in front of her eyes and she couldn’t help smiling even as he reached his hand to his pocket and pulled out some insignificant piece of metal. They were going to be fine. She was going to be fine. After all, Jack’s words were practically made of love and admiration. That was all she thought before he leveled a gun against her stomach. She looked down just in time to notice the moonlight dancing on his wedding band. It was the last thing she ever saw .
