From left: Billy Vera, Alan and Kris Duke, Rita Coolidge

I cannot trace the exact moment, but somehow we started off on the wrong foot.  And like a big wave, our discontent swelled over time, neither of us knowing the origin of it.  We had both dug our heels in the sand.

When my sister-in-law, Kris, turned the big 4-0, my brother threw her a party.  A really big one.  Kris had always been a fan of Rita Coolidge, so naturally, Alan booked Rita for a private concert to honor his wife.  He went all out.

As the big day approached, my one-day-to-be-husband urged, “You should really get along with Kris.”  I agreed.  I thought it was time to bury the hatchet.

So I did.

I went to a hardware store and bought a hatchet.  I also purchased a beautiful gift bag that I filled with sand.  Actually, cat litter.  Where else can you get sand?  And I buried that hatchet. (more…)