Heartbreak at Christmas: The Second Time

Misty recalled her mother-in-law’s words to her.

"If he has broken your heart one time, he will break it again!" She had seen the tears welling up in her daughter-in-law's eyes. "Men are like that!"

"No, they aren't!" Misty had thought to herself, later that day. "My dad was not a heart breaker. Oh, dad, I wish you were here." 

Her tall, dark and handsome finance, Ned, had promised to be there for Christmas Eve. In spite of his previous infidelity, Misty still trusted him. They had agreed to spend the evening together and planned to exchange gifts and enjoy Christmas dinner with his family. Misty had made all the arrangements for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, enthusiastically. She was excited, and had purchased and wrapped all of the gifts for Ned and his family, and then decorated her own tiny apartment.

Everything looked so pretty with dark, green candles and streamers with white mini-lights shining everywhere. Even her Christmas baking had turned out perfectly. A wonderful scent of fresh, mincemeat pie hovered in the kitchen.

"I am snowed in here!" Ned told her on the telephone moments later, as she was putting the final touches on the table for their Christmas Eve celebration together. "I will be there as soon as I can. Call my mom for me."

Misty was stunned. She felt lost, as she had never been alone on Christmas Eve before. Disappointed, she called her mother-in-law and passed the message on to her. Her mother-in-law did not sound terribly surprised. Misty watched a Christmas special and headed for bed.

At two thirty in the morning, she awoke out of a restless sleep, when the telephone rang again. "Something is not right," thought Misty, picking it up hurriedly.

"Ned is not coming home,” said the voice on the telephone. “I am the other woman.” In the background, she could hear Ned rollicking with drunken laughter.

“This is the second time,” thought Misty angrily. “It is Christmas and he is breaking my heart again, just like my mother-in-law predicted." Misty quickly hung up the phone and took it right off the hook, so they could not call back. “My mother-in-law must have had a very unhappy life,” she thought to herself.