Martha
One Saturday morning, in early March, I was doing my normal shopping around town. I usually do my shopping on Saturday morning. This way I can take my time and look for bargains and sales. As I was passing in front of a small strip mall, I decided to stop into a sports store to look what they had new in the golf section. After spending a little time in there, I went next door to Ollies Bargain Outlet. Ollies is not one of the stores I frequent but I hear people talk about how they get some interesting things there sometime.
I walked in with really nothing in particular to look at. However, right in front, some solar lights caught my attention. I picked up a few to examine which one I would like. I decided on a decorated one that I thought would look good by my front door. I then walked around looking at what else they had to offer.
Once I had a few items in my hands, I proceeded to the check-out lanes. Two lanes were open but it was one single waiting line. I noticed this lady had got in line right behind me. I smiled at her and continued minding my own business. I did notice she was an attractive lady but I did not want to start a conversation and seem to be forward.
Just as I turned back in her direction, just to look around, she broke the silence and spoke to me. She asked what was that pretty glass item I had in my hand. I told her it was a solar light to put by my front door. She asked how it worked and I explained that you just stick in the flower bed and the sun charges it and it goes on automatically at sun down.
We started talking and she told me that she was in an apartment and that would be good by her door also. She said it is not well lit by her door. She proceeded to tell me she lived in an apartment since her divorce. I told her I was sorry about her divorce but I was divorced too and I was much happier. She admitted she was happy also.
She continued by telling me she was married for 50 years and she found out her husband was having an affair with a girl almost 40 years his junior. I told her I was so sorry she had to deal with that. I did not even know this lady but I told her I was very proud of her for having the courage to leave and start a new life at 73 years old.
By now, it was my turn to check out my items. We continued talking, even while she checked out her items. This did not stop our conversation as we moved out the way of the registers and continued our conversation in the lobby area of the store. We shared some minor details our of married life and the divorce experience.
As we talked, I was paying attention to the personal details of this little older lady. She was only 4'9" tall. She had a very pleasant appearance. Her face was had very little make up on and her hair was pretty grey and nicely style. It did not appear to be beauty salon styled but well maintained.
I noticed at times her blouse would shift a little and her bra would be a little exposed. This was a turn on of course. Her breasts were about average size and looked and very desirable. Her skin appeared to be soft and smooth. I will admit, I was starting to look at this strange lady in a sexual way. Her size was just what I am usually attracted to. She did not have an hour glass figure. She was pleasantly plump. Actually, she was well proportioned. She obviously had a nice rounded tummy to go with her rounded back side. At least, from what I could see from the position I was in.
We talked for about 30 minutes standing in the vestibule of the store. We both seemed to enjoy each other and lost track of time. Once again, I told her how proud of was of her for being so brave and courageous and divorce after 50 years. I asked if I could hug her as we turned to leave. She turned to face me and with a smile on her face told me that a hug would be nice.
We started walking in the parking lot and we headed in the same direction. She was actually parked right next to me. I helped her put her items in her SUV and we talked a little more. Seemed we had a lot in common. As she reached to hug me again, she asked if she could be so bold to ask for my phone number. She explained that she has never done that before and she hoped we could talk again sometime. She told me how I made her feel good about her situation.
I thought it was best to just give her a business card so she would have my office number, cell phone number and my email address. I told her not to hesitate to call anytime. I also told her we could have lunch sometime. I mentioned to her that when she calls me, I would save her number in my phone.
Once again, we said good bye and this time we got in our vehicles and left the parking lot. I figured I would not see her or hear from her again. I continued on my day and never gave Martha another thought.
That evening, as I was watching TV, my phone rang and it showed an unknown number. It had become a habit not to answer unknown numbers because it was usually telemarketers or scams. It did not come to mind that it might be Martha. As I said before, I did not give her much thought after I left her that morning.
A couple minutes later, my phone alerted me that I had a voice message. I picked it up and pressed play. "Hello young man, this is Martha. I hope I am not being too forward, but I wanted to thank you again for the nice visit this morning. I look forward to hearing from you again."
I waited a couple minutes before returning her call. I did not want to seem too eager. The truth is, I was really excited and needed to relax a little bit so she would not hear the real excitement in my voice. I really did not think I would hear from her again and I was surprised with the phone call.
Martha answered my call after just one ring. I will admit I was a little nervous to talk with her. We had so much in common but we had just met. Martha quickly took over the conversation. I became comfortable quickly. I was not sure where this was going because she mentioned several times at the store that she was not interested in anyone other than her age. I knew she was eighteen years older than me. I never look at the age of a person. Age is just a number.
We talked for over an hour. The time passed quickly and I had not noticed how quickly the conversation had moved. Martha talked for the majority of the conversation. I enjoyed hearing about her life. She talked about her married life and how she always thought it was a good marriage. She never heard her husband complain or anything of the sort.
It was not until she caught him having an affair with a much younger woman that she even considered they had a problem. Once she confronted him with the affair, he insisted she was crazy. He even had her committed into a mental institution. This really upset her that much more. She spent a week there before the doctors confirmed she was not mentally ill.
Once she was released from the hospital, she confronted him again. This time, he had little defense. Well, at least he could not say she was crazy. He did have many other excuses and reasons for the way he was acting.
She even told me that he started kissing her differently. She questioned where he learned to kiss like that. I did not question what way he started kissing, although I wish I had asked. He had purchased a "burner" phone. This is how she eventually caught him and proved the affair.
Their divorce went right though because they had no young children and she had proof of adultery. After 50 years, what more could a judge ask for to proceed with a divorce. Their three adult kids were present for the proceedings.
Martha had moved into her own apartment. She was scorned but was also getting lonely. She made it clear that her next partner would not have a cell phone and be her age. I guess since her husband ran off with a younger woman, she was against an age difference too. I told her more than once not to let age interfere. Age is only a number and she should look at someone for who they are not what they are.
When we were about to hang up from our first phone conversation, I felt brave and I asked her to have lunch with me the coming Monday. She lived in the next town over from me and I would be there working the next day. My company had an office in her town and I often spent time there. She agreed and I told her I would call her the next day to set up a time and location to meet.
I went to bed shortly after our conversation. I could not get Martha off my mind. I honestly did not think anything romantic would develop between us but I did enjoy her company. We were both divorced, for two different reasons, and I think it helped to talk about it. The main difference was, I knew the love was lost in my marriage. She did not know the love was lost in hers.
I finally went to sleep and I had a few dreams of Martha. I really found her to be attractive and was looking forward to meeting her for lunch. The more I talked to her, the more I became interested in her. She was slowly tugging at my heart and I knew she did not mean to, at least I did not think she did.
Waking up the next morning, I was excited to have the chance to meet Martha again. I had all day to think about her. I showered and got dressed to attend my weekly church service. It was difficult to concentrate on the service since Martha was constantly on my mind. Fantasies played in my head and I wondered if those fantasies would eventually become reality. Yet, my fantasies were always interrupted by remembering her telling me she wanted someone her age.
After the weekly church service, I had lunch at my usually diner and went home to an empty house. I did my usually Sunday routine; cleaning house and doing laundry. Martha was still on my mind no matter what I was doing.