Winter's Ghost by Sheryl Frazer

Author:Sheryl Frazer [Frazer, Sheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sheryl M. Frazer
Published: 2023-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

MRS. CHAO

Brunner and Jazmine Chao, both in their late thirties, were married almost fifteen years ago.

While the two were in a serious dating relationship in college, Jazmine became pregnant, and a quiet elopement followed a month later. Brunner continued with his classes as they adjusted to their new circumstances. However, Jazmine stopped mid-semester when she began having severe cramps.

Barely into her second trimester, she miscarried. When it happened again, two years in a row, genetic tests were done. It was discovered that both Jazmine and Brunner had a chromosome disorder called Balanced Translocation. Although it is not that rare for a person to have the often-undetected anomaly, if two individuals possess the transformed chromosome, they enter dangerously uncharted waters if they try to have children.

With more miscarriages highly probable, Brunner and Jazmine briefly considered adoption but ultimately decided it wasn’t what they wanted.

Concluding parenthood wasn’t meant to be, the couple dove headlong into their careers. While Brunner pursued law enforcement, Jazmine earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts, specializing in abstract photography. She now displays a portion of her impressive portfolio at several fine arts galleries around town for commission sales.

When Brunner arrived home with a fragrant bouquet in hand, a folded piece of paper was taped to the front door. With a puzzled look, the detective peeled the note off and opened it.

“Go to the bedroom, put on your swimsuit, and meet me out back. And NO PEEKING!”

Grinning, Brunner obeyed, changing into his swim trunks laid out on the bed. Taking the flowers with him, he opened the sliding door to the backyard. There sat Jazmine, in the middle of the spacious yard, relaxing in a small inflatable kiddie pool. She was wearing a brand-new bathing suit, a large floppy-brimmed hat, and stylish opaque sunglasses. Next to her, two mixed cocktails and an envelope sat on a raised tray.

With a loud laugh, Brunner walked over. “Mrs. Chao, you’re looking…Wow!”

Jazmine slid her glasses down her nose and peered up at her husband with a sly smile. “Care to join me? I made your favorite drink.”

Enthusiasm was all over Brunner’s face as he took a few steps back and said, “You bet! But move over, missy. First, I’m going to do a cannonball!”

With her sunglasses still perched at the end of her nose, Jazmine’s eyes opened wide. “Don’t you dare!”

Howling, Brunner stepped forward. Bending down, he presented the flowers to his wife and then squeezed his body tightly next to hers as the water rose and spilled over the top.

“This wasn’t quite what I expected,” Brunner admitted.

Jazmine took a big whiff of the colorful arrangement, sighed with a smile, then placed the flowers on the grass. Reaching for the other side, she took the envelope from the tray.

“Look inside,” she said with a grin.

Brunner took the envelope and peered at his wife. Tipping his head, he joked, “Is this your shameless way of showing me your plans to take a tropical vacation after you present me with divorce papers?”

“Maybe,” Jazmine played along, moving her sunglasses back over her eyes.

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