"Deception" by Laurel Kostakis

      As I first began reading the story, it showed to be nothing too special, just a simple story featuring a simple married older couple with two children and two grandchildren. Their lives seemed to be extremely normal, which started the story off a wee bit boring; however, now having read the entire peice, I think Laurel chose to set up the thrilling ending by creating an unsuspecting and arid exposition.
      The obvious theme and accurate title of this story is deception. Marcy believed she truly knew her husband of many years, Kevin. We, like Marcy, suspected nothing deceiving about Kevin at first. Sure, their relationship was not as intimate as it once was, but they had lived together for numerous years, raised children, and were in the process of spoiling grandchildren. It was not until Marcy called her friend, Clair, that the suspisions of who Kevin really was arose.
     Personally, I thought Laurel did a great job building the suspense up to the climactic ending. The comparison between the high energy ending and the low tempo of the first half of the story is a significant difference and to me, enhances the profound ending.
      Although I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I feel as though the ending was a little rushed. Learning of your husband's infedelity throughout your marriage,that he wanted to murder you, and that an experienced and fairly successful burgaler/murderer was also creeping in your house at the exact time your husband came into your home to kill you, is a whole lot to take in. I wish I would have been able to see more emotion from Marcy in the end. It's almost like she runs to the neighbors, calls 911, doesn't want to tell her kids about their father yet, moves out, adnd then has two dogs. I thought you could possibly omit some of the previous descriptions, maybe of Carol (?), which would leave more room for the ending and Marcy's coping. Something that dramatic and life-altering cannot be something easy to simple get over. Along with that, I did really enjoy the punch line at the end, but since the ending was rushed, I almost felt like it was too soon to joke about her situation. However, I did find "my husband bought them for me" quite humorous!
      In summation, I really liked this story, especially the hyped up ending! I love a good story of deception and scandal. Maybe I watch too many infinitesimal Lifetime movies, in which this story could absolutely air on. I thought it was set up very nicely, and I as a reader got to experience the thrill of Kevin's deception along with Marcy. I only wish I could see more of the gut-wrenching emotion Marcy must have felt afterward. I wanted to feel a little more of the deception Marcy truly felt, if she felt any at all. Maybe she was more relieved that she was still alive? Maybe she didn't enjoy her marriage anyways? I would just like to see how Marcy felt about it maybe a few days afterward. Other than that, I thought it was well thought out and I really liked each of the characters. For me, they were mostly realistic and effective.