Chapter 35
"I've missed you too, but I thought you hated me for running away, and not being like you and dad."
"I'm not like dad. Sure I'm in the military, but dad was a pig. I don't know if you remember the women he had in and out all the time or not," cried Krystal. "They cooked and cleaned and then crawled in bed with him. I hope to hell I'm not like dad!"
"But you joined the military to be just like him!" Krista exclaimed.
"Not to be like dad, Kris, but to make a difference with my life," explained Krystal. "I wanted to make my life mean something. I hope like hell it has. Oh, Kris, this is my fiancée, Tom Boone. Tom, I am so happy to introduce you to my beautiful sister, Krista Kennex, it is still Kennex isn't it sweetie?"
"Yeah, I'm not married. Hello, Tom."
"Hello, Krista, I'm pleased to meet you," he said holding out his hand to shake hers.
"Would you stand up with me at our wedding, Kris?" asked Krystal. "I'd like it very much if you would, sis."
"Umm, you haven't seen me standing..." she came out from behind the counter so Krystal could see that she was pregnant. She didn't know that Krystal knew already.
"Great, you can be mother bountiful," laughed Krystal. "Now do I get your answer or not."
"You're sure you want me in a wedding in this condition?" she asked hesitantly.
"You can have the baby AT my wedding and I'd still want you there, dufus," said Krystal hugging her. "I love you silly, when is it going to soak in?"
Tears flowing down her cheeks, Krista whispered, "I don't know, I've thought you hated me for so long."
"Krystal? What did you just call your sister?" Tom asked with a frown.
"Dufus, why?" asked Krystal looking shocked.
"Is that a nice way to talk to her?" he asked.
"Oh, I forgot you don't know, sweetheart. It's our way of saying we love each other," laughed Krystal hugging him. "Dufus, come and join our family."
"I'm not sure that I like being called a dufus!" Tom laughed.
Krystal told her sister, "You thought wrong, then. If you had notified me you would have known the truth. It's easy to get a hold of someone through the Navy," replied Krystal wiped her sister tears from her face. "Why didn't you try to find me, Kris? I have been searching for you for years."
"Because I thought you HATED me you dufus!" Krista said hugging her sister.
"Well, now you know you were wrong, as always," grinned Krystal. "I am always right, dufus. How about some coffee or tea for your special guest?"
"I don't have coffee, what kind of tea do you like?"
"What was that tea, mom use to make for us when we had tea parties?" Krystal asked looking at Kris hoping she would remember. "I can't think of the name."
"The invisible kind?" Krista smirked, as she put the pot on to boil. "Ummm, Krystal when is the wedding going to be? I don't really want to be having the baby at the wedding you know..."
"The tea was orange something, I know it was," frowned Krystal. "And the wedding is next week. We couldn't wait any longer. Not after ten years of loving each other a week is long enough," she smiled taking Tom's hand. "Sometimes I think it's too long."
"Well, orange has 'wake up' qualities, do you need that? Or maybe a romantic blend for both of you, something to get the sensual juices flowing?" Krista winked at them.
"Uh, no I don't think we need that just yet," replied Krystal giving her sister the once over. "Kris, you're pale and your mouth is clenched as though in pain. What is wrong with you? Tell me the truth, I know you're hurting, I feel it too."
"What did Albert tell you? He had no right! I asked him not to!" she sank down onto a stool that was meant for standing on not sitting on. Burying her head in her hands as the tears started.
"You call him Albert? I bet he loves that!" Tom exclaimed with a laugh
To be continued…