LEX LUTHER

Several years ago, I was in Walmart in Florida thinking about what would be a good dinner gift to take to a friends house when the announcement came over the loud speaker stopping me in my tracks and throwing me back 25 years.

“Lex Luther, come to automotive, your car is ready.”

No, they didn't really say “Lex Luther” but used the real, equally unique name that I knew had to be a blast from my past. If someone else had that name, I had to see them, and if it were Lex as I suspected, there was no way I was passing this up.

I met Lex 25 years earlier when I was newly divorced. He was a friend of a friend and when we met, all the romance novels quit being drivel and I knew were gospel. Our eyes locked and the rest of the world disappeared. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, in or out of the movies.

Lex was blond, which is not my first choice, blue eyed--I prefer brown, almost too tall--I am quite short, but he had perfect features and a killer smile to off set any lack of preference. Throw in a perfect body with a really cute behind and the initial physical attraction for me was intensely powerful. Then toss in a gentle, attentive nature, spiced with a wicked sense of humor, and I was pretty much a goner.

We had a beautiful romance for a couple of months, perfect in many ways. My little world was bursting with joy till I got the phone call.

“Is this Patti K---- on Grey Heron drive?” an official sounding female voice said that day.

“Yes.” I said a bit guarded thinking it was a sales person.

“This is Mrs. Luther.” the voice informed.

“Oh Mrs. Luther, it is so nice to talk to you. Lex talks about his mother often and I had hoped we could meet.”

“I am his wife,” the voice coldly informed me, “And you stay away from my husband.”

I suppose had I been shot, I couldn't have been more stunned. It appeared that all the lovely flowers Lex bought for me he had put on his credit card. That is how she found me. I am pretty sure I convinced her that I had no idea Lex had been married and before she hung up, we were both crying.

Of course Lex and I broke up, I was as furious with him as I was hurt. Through out the years, his voice would come across my phone several times out of the blue in an attempt to rekindle. He remained married however. I often got the feeling that I was not the only one Lex had cheated with.

Then to have his name broadcast over the speaker in Walmart was too much to pass up. We were 100 miles removed and in different towns from where we had last met. What were the chances?

When I saw him, there was no doubt. My goodness he had aged beautifully. The man was as gorgeous at 55 as he had been at 30. Tan, fit with white hair and a trim Kenny Rogers beard. As I called his name, he turned from the counter and blanched. Yes he knew me.

We talked a bit catching up but his eyes kept casting about nervously. I was really enjoying his discomfort. Then the reason for his discomfort joined us, his wife.
I had never met her except over the phone that one time.

Years ago I had felt very sorry for her and I did that day also. I wondered if Lex had changed his ways at all or if he was still cheating on her. He did not introduce us and I just said I was an old friend. I was sorely tempted to tell her my name to make his life miserable but I really didn't think she deserved anymore grief.

After some awkward moments,they walked away from the counter.

I heard her say softly, "Who is that Lex?"

Anyone could sense the tension between them. I shouldn't have but I was quite a bit pleased. That nagging little hole of injustice in my heart that I wasn't totally aware of, closed up that day. I got to see him in misery trying to wiggle around the truth.

Small of me, you bet!!