Actually, her confession gave me a sense of relief. For a grown woman to have, "fallen in love at first sight...," well, that seemed more like a, "teenage crush," than a reality. Knowing she knew Alexis's, "story," seemed truly interested in her well being and knew how much Lexi cared for me..., she had to have been overcome by that moment.
"Mrs..., Elle..., let's stop and think about what you're saying. First, where is your wedding ring?
Not looking at me, "In my purse."
"So you're still married?"
"Unfortunately..., yes," she replied, now picking up her head and looking at me.
I didn't take the bait.
"So you have a husband, who I'm sure is at home right now, waiting for you to get back from a long day at work."
"He'll know I'm not there, but he won't remember why," she responded.
When I gave her a blank look, she added, "He'll ask Kim and she'll remind him."
"Kim?"
"Our daughter. She's eight and I have a four year old son, Todd...."
I thought she was done and I was about to offer my perspective on this infatuation when..., "and don't think this is just some crazy mid-life crisis or anything like that."
Sitting up straight again and adjusting the top of the sweater so it was where it belonged, "You think I haven't agonized over this for the past four months? Do you think I look at my life and wish I didn't feel the way I do?"
She paused..., looking at me but not seeing me.
"Why? That's the question you asked..., and I don't have an answer. All I can tell you is..., what I'm feeling is so much more than anything else that I've ever felt and..., I have to find out what it all means. If you don't feel anything..., if looking at me and knowing the way I feel means nothing to you..., okay..., you have your own life and I think you're doing a great job with it...."