You Don't Know Jack

In 2000, Grace Christy was a twenty-five-year-old artist with a gallery on the beaches of Gulf Shores, AL. Grace never knew how pivotal her meeting Jack Alexander would be to her life. Jack waltzed into her life fresh off Navy tour of duty. He was tall, handsome, learned in art and taken with Grace instantly. Their connection kismet. Nine months after a whirlwind relationship, Grace finds out she is pregnant. Jack is elated. He kisses her goodbye and disappears. Detective Hardy Scott is first assigned this missing person case. A case that would change the trajectory of his life. Hardy was drawn to Grace’s tragedy that had subtly resembled his own. He soon found himself Grace’s support and confidant. He even filled Jack’s shoes after Grace gave birth to Jack’s daughter, Leslyn. It would take Grace six long, painful years to realize that her life with Jack would never be and that her bond with Hardy was much more than friendship. Twenty years, two children, and a whole new life after Jack, Grace finally discovers what happened. No one truly knew Jack but Grace. The answers didn’t negate that restless feeling that Jack would always pop up, somehow, in their lives. Jack would forever be a strangely painted part of their family portrait. Monica C. Petter is a poet, author, photographer – artist. Monica is a native of Stuttgart, AR. She has 9 books of poetry and prose. She was a poet laureate nominee for the state of Arkansas. Her childhood pencil sketches turned to teenage poetry. Her adult poetry matured to prose. Her art found photography and then painting. Art always found a way through and out of her. Monica was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of twenty. She considers disease to be her greatest teacher and most benevolent gift. Her perspective the key. Monica loves sharing her poetry and novels with book clubs and speaking about the creative process.