This is the fifth day of releasing excerpts from my novel, The Shattered Vase. Thank you so much for reading this!

Eventually, Suzie softened to the safari print. It was just a print,
no reason to go “psycho” about it. Psycho was Joe’s favorite name for
her when she questioned his change in behavior.
No sooner had Suzie decided to accept the jungle décor than she
received an unexpected call from Joe’s secretary. The secretary asked
if Suzie would mind shopping for a birthday gift for Joe’s boss.
“Well, I don’t think I would mind,” Suzie replied. “Is this Megan
we are talking about, or her boss, Steve?”
“It is Megan.” The secretary said enthusiastically. “She and Joe
are inseparable. The office joke is like they are two peas in a pod or
bed…. Oops, well I mean not like that, you know…. they are just so
compatible.”
Suzie sank down on the kitchen chair and caught her breath.
“Well, anyways, I am planning a surprise birthday party for
Megan. I would have gone to Joe to ask him for a contribution, but
I thought he might ruin the surprise. He is always following Megan
around like a lost puppy.”
“Oh, really?” Suzie’s stomach began to churn. “What does Megan
like? Is she fond of a certain perfume? Does she prefer one specific
designer?”
“I don’t know her very well—at least not like Joe does. I can tell
you one thing though. She absolutely loves safari print. She wears it
all the time. She looks so good in it too.” The secretary giggled. “I’m
surprised she hasn’t gotten Joe to wear safari print. They spend so
much time together behind closed doors.”
Suzie wanted to throw the phone against the wall. I would like
to choke this girl, the little wench. How dare she insinuate that my
husband is having an affair with his boss?
“Umm, let me get back to you on this, okay? I will do some checking
so that I can make sure the quality of the gift is exactly what Joe
would want to give to Megan.”
I wonder if the local nursery can gift wrap manure.
“Okay, that is good, but please don’t let Joe know about the surprise.
I am scared silly that he will let the surprise slip during one of
their hunting trips.”
Well, that explains his hunting fascination and his obsession with
safari print. It is making sense to me now, that bastard.
“Shhh…be quiet,” the secretary said. “Megan is walking towards
me right now. Well, I shouldn’t say “walk.” She saunters. You know,
like a lioness in heat. I got to go now.” Click.