Surviving Insanities
an excerpt

Reading back into her journal - her only piece of sanity allowed to her - Linny allowed her mind to drift back to years ago - and the cold memory that, had she paid closer attention, could have changed her whole life:

The bridal shower was a whole other story. The room was filled with at least 60 women. Every single one of them family. Every single one of them introduced to me as such - with the exception of Nicole who was introduced to me simply as "Ardens friend". She must have been a very good friend because she seemed to be as actively involved in the planning and preparation as my sister-in-law to be. She also appeared to be quite popular with with the family. It didn't really surprise me, since given the exclusivity of the guest list she clearly was regarded as such. But you see, upon returning back home and reviewing the shower pictures with him, his face went stone cold as he pointed to Nicole and asked flatly "What's SHE doing there?"
"Her? That's Nicole."
"I KNOW it's Nicole. What's she doing there?"
(How was I to know - it was HIS family!) "All I know is that she is a friend of Ardens."
"Friend my butt! This is my ex-fiancee"
(Fiancee???Ex???)
".....and believe me, the last thing Arden is to her, is a friend!!!"