You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 8

March 1949

Chrissy sat in the chair looking numb to everything happening around her. She stared off into space and subconsciously ran her fingers over her stomach. Her black blusher covered most of her face leaving her quivering lips to be the only part of her face clearly exposed. Her grandmother had scoured the whole city looking for an outfit for her to wear. She felt like a burden to everyone.

"Chris?" a deep voice came from her right side, "My God, Chris... I came as soon as Jeanne called me."

The tears that hadn't flowed began to fall rapidly from her eyes, "Dino," she choked out.

"What happened?"

"Work accident. We couldn't even..." she gestured to the casket being closed, "I didn't even..." she sobbed harder.

He put his arms around her. When he finally broke away, he knelt on the floor next to her and put his hand on top of hers, "I'm so sorry, Chris."

"I was married for three months, and now I'm a widow."

"Can I do anything for you?"

"No, I'll be okay I think."

"Dinner? Come to mine and Jeanne's house for dinner. We'd love to see you and Noni. The kids would too."

Noni walked up behind Dean, "Dino, grazie per essere venuto."

He stood up. "Ti amo," he whispered while hugging her, "Dinner tonight at mine and Jeanne's?"

"Of course," Noni answered.

"Dean," Chrissy choked out. He immediately returned to her side.

"What, honey?"

"Would you be a pallbearer tomorrow? Jack's three friends and his two brothers are going to, but we need one more man."

"Anything for you, Chris."

Later that evening, Chrissy and Noni were sitting in the den at Jeanne's and Dean's home. Jeanne would periodically reach over and place her hand on Chrissy's anytime that she noticed Chrissy gazing off into space.

Chrissy didn't speak much. She was stuck in her thoughts, but she appreciated Jeanne's small gestures of affection toward her.

Jeanne finally spoke as it seemed Noni was getting ready to go, "Chrissy, I'm not are how you feel about children at the service tomorrow, but the kids would like to come. They really liked Jack, and of course they love you."

"I would love if they were there," Chrissy said quietly. She squeezed Jeanne's hand, "I love you, Jean."

Jeanne stood up and hugged her, "I love you too, hon. We all do."