Chapter 1: Memories of Kelly
She couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at her computer screen. She usually didn't open emails from people she didn't know but, but when she saw the name "Kelly" in the "Re:" category her heart skipped a beat and she caught her breath.
It was amazing how, even after 3 years the mere sight of his name could have such an effect on her. With a trembling hand, she opened the email from, "HoundogX." Slowly she read the message from her former lover:
"Just wanted to find out how you are doing and to let you know that I think of you every day and that I still love you with all of my heart. Please call me at 540-555-0496. Between the hours of 7am and 3pm... She'll be at work." - Love Kelly
She reached out and touched the computer screen as she read the words again. She couldn't believe he still thought of her. There had not been one day that he did not come into her thoughts. Her nights had been filled with memories of their many passionate nights together. She also couldn't help remembering all the broken promises he made and how empty he had left her when he chose to stay with his wife.
Although she was with someone else now, she couldn't love him. She knew she would never be able to love another man because Kelly still owned her heart. What they had shared was a bond stronger than time; something no other relationship could ever match.
She realized a long time ago that they would never be together in this life, but she would love him without fail, until the day she died and into the next life if such a thing existed.
He was married when she met him. She allowed herself to become the "other woman." She wasn't proud of it, but she couldn't help it. She could no more deny the love she had for him that she could stop the beating of her own heart.
She remembered the first time he walked into the store where she worked...
He was working for a landscaping company and had stopped in for a soda and a pack of cigarettes. She got the cigarettes for him, smiled at him teasingly, and said, "You know these are nasty in your mouth, right?" He smiled back and replied, "An idle tongue is the Devil's workshop." He said it suggestively and then looked at her and said, "Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm." Shaking his head and smiling, he left the store.
She watched him as he left. He wasn't a big man, hardly taller than she was. He had dark hair and a scruffy beard. He had the most intense grey eyes she had ever seen. She just laughed it off and tried to put him out of her mind. She flirted with a lot of men that came into the store, no one really ever took her seriously, it was just her personality. The guys around there just weren't man enough to handle a "big" woman. They didn't appreciate the kind of love a big woman could give. Big women love deeper and with more passion. She knew it would take a real man to handle her.
She couldn't get him off her mind all day. Something about him was different. She was wondering if she was gonna see him again and was losing hope as it neared her time to go home. Around 3 o'clock, a few minutes before she was to leave, he came back into the store. He looked over the other cashier to her and asked for a hotdog. She had to go to the other end of the counter to get it for him. As usual, she started to flirt, asking him if he was sure he wanted a "Big Bite" and not a "little nibble" instead.
He shook his head and smiled when he said, "Mmmmm, a little nibble sounds good. I think you are beautiful. I love 'soft' women." She just blushed and handed him the hotdog. It wasn't often when they flirted back. And she never got compliments.
As he was paying for his hot dog, she hurried and clocked out. She was going out the door when she saw him throw the hotdog into the trashcan, untouched. Curious, she asked him if something was wrong with it. He told her that he hated hotdogs. He said he had only asked for one so he could get her alone. He said he had been thinking about her all day. He asked her name. She told him it was Lynn.
He asked if he could get to know her better. She said sure and asked if he had an email address. They exchanged Email addresses. She gave him her number too. She had been single then. Then he looked at her a little sheepishly, and told her he was married. Her heart sank. He immediately told her that he wasn't happy and that she was on her way out. Against her better judgment, she said ok, they could talk and see where it would go. He looked so unhappy. He looked like he needed someone to talk too. They said goodbye. She doubted shed ever hear from him again.
She left and went home. Falling into her normal routine, she started supper for her kids, listened to them tell about how school had gone. She helped them with their homework. Finally, she went into her room to shower.
As she came out of the shower, the phone rang. She answered it and to her surprise, it was him. He asked what she was doing, she told him she was just getting out of the shower, he groaned and said he wished he were there. She was glad he couldn't see the blush on her face. He asked if she could come out to meet him. She told him she needed to finish dinner and she'd be there.
She got dinner on the table and told the kids shed be back in a minute.
She met him in a parking lot of a strip mall by a gym. He got out and got into her car. She was nervous as they talked; she thought they both were. She slowly learned about him as she let him talk; she simply listened. He told her that he and his wife had no children of their own. They had just recently taken custody of his drug-addicted sister's baby boy. The child was sickly and although he had badly wanted a son, his whole life, he was scared to get close to him for fear of losing him. He sad the boy was small and fragile.
He told her about his grandfather and his eyes began to sparkle as he told her about the "General Lee," his grandfather's nickname.
Then he told her about his loveless marriage. He had married her when he was only 18 and she was 28. He was young and rebellious and when everyone told him he shouldn't marry her, he did it anyway, just to show them he could. Lynn did the math and figured out that she was the same age as his wife. Damn, he was young too. He said that she thought he was her son. She constantly nagged him and put him down. She made his life miserable.
Lynn looked into his eyes and melted. She reached out and gently touched the side of his face with her fingertips. He closed his eyes and she could visibly see him gasp. She felt electricity running down her arm and to her heart.
As he leaned in and kissed her gently, she got a flash of dejavu. It was as if they had done this before, that in some other place, some other time, she had kissed those lips. Her mind showed her a picture of him in buckskin clothes. It was a strange feeling, one she had never had before. It was as if a piece that had been missing in her life had only just now fallen into place.
They sat there a while longer, talking quietly, gently touching each other. Each kiss becoming more and more passionate. The radio began to play "When somebody loves you" by Alan Jackson. God! It was romantic, almost perfect timing.
Her mind kept screaming at her; telling her heart no. That this can't happen. He was a married man for goodness sake. She couldn't become one of the kind that are on Jerry Springer, the ones that confront the wife and professing undying love to a married man. She wasn't a home wrecker. That wasn't her.
But her heart kept saying that it was ok as long as you keep it in perspective. Don't get too close. Just enjoy being with him. It's probably just a one-night stand anyway.
He felt so familiar. She wanted to feel more of him. As it began to rain, they decided to go to Curtis Lake for more privacy. When they arrived, the rain had stopped to a drizzle. They decided to get out of the car. They were completely alone except for a few birds.
He took her into his arms for the first time and held her tight. He was stronger than he looked. She felt completely safe for the first time in her life. How could she be feeling this comfortable with someone she just met? It was impossible.