A Perfect Husband — Jeannine D. Van Eperen

“Life isn't easy,” Jerry said. “But you can do it for your kids. Patsy and Nelly, right? They need their mother. You can do it for them, and maybe in time, you'll be happy to be alive. Proud when they graduate, happy when they fall in love and marry.” Jessica sniffed and nodded. Her daughters' lives were just beginning. She didn't want to go on living but somehow she must. “I just feel so awful. I can't imagine that I'll ever be happy again. Must I spend the rest of my life living a lie?” “Will it help anyone to tell them the truth?” Jessica shook her head again. She didn't want to say the word no out loud. How could people not see that her heart and her spirit were broken? Surely, they'd take one look at her and say, “What an unhappy woman, poor thing.”