I always wanted to open up a bookstore and be my own boss; I was tired of punching a clock and would set my own hours; but first, I need to do something about my health.

I started walking; I walked everywhere possible and in no time lost the sixty pounds.



After two years, I had the down payment saved for my bookstore.

I took out a loan, and bought a large brick building for taxes. I remodeled it, and was soon in business for myself.



I lived on the third floor; the second floor was for storage and overflow from my store. My needs were simple; I had my books, but.I was lonely.



I mentioned before that I was self-conscious about my hair.

I bought top-of-the-line electric hair clippers with all the attachments and guide combs. I kept my hair clipped close to the scalp with those clippers, minus the guard.



Two years after my divorce, my ex-wife walked into my bookstore. I was putting some books away, and my back was to her. Lisa politely asked if the owner was available. I recognized her voice right away; it was obvious that she didn't recognize me, having lost sixty pounds, with a shaved head; the toupee gone. I



When I turned around, to face her, the look on her face was priceless. I too was surprised; Lisa had put on some weight, (when we were married, she was always dieting and spending hours at her heath club exercising, trying to look like some of the near emaciated young models found in fashion magazines) I liked her this way, a little plump. It had softened her features and rounded her figure; especially her breasts and hips; yes this was definitely an improvement.



What I didn't like was what she had done to her hair. Instead of her beautiful shade of red auburn, and waist length, it was jet black and styled in tight frizzy curls of different lengths, shorter around her face and longer in the back. Even her bangs were curled. At it's longest it just touched Lisa's shoulders; this had to be her fop lovers doing. Either by preference or design, he had ruined her beautiful long hair.



We stood there and looked at one another for a time. Finally, I broke the silence and said, " Is there something I can do for you, Lisa?" "I came here to ask you something", she replied

I just looked at her not knowing what to say next. Lisa continued,

"Do you hate me Adam? I can't blame you if you do, but I need to know." "Do you still hate me?' "Did you come all the way from California to ask me that, Lisa? I said, starting to get angry.



"You committed adultery, Lisa," "You filed for divorce and took damn near everything that I ever worked for". "Do I hate you?" "You want to know if I hate you?" I replied, almost shouting



Lisa started crying. "Stop that will you, just stops it" I'll answer your question; no I don't hate you Lisa, I'm over those feelings now". "I have moved on with my life". " Is that what you wanted to hear? Then I'm glad I made you feel better about yourself.""You have your closure" "Now you can go back to your lover, or husband or whatever he is to you and live happily-ever-after"; As I turned back to my work.



Then the floodgates really broke loose, she started sobbing, uncontrollably, and that wasn't like her. The only other time she acted like this was when her father died; she was in bed for a week; this wasn't an act; something was seriously wrong. I did the only thing I could do; I took her up to my apartment and let her lie down. When she calmed down, I went downstairs to the bookstore and telephoned her sister, Janice.



Janice told me that Lisa allowed Luke invest her money from the divorce settlement. "They bought a condominium in her name, he said for tax purposes". She sighed" Luke had her convinced that her investments were making landmark dividends and she believed him; we believed him." "Lisa likes to spend money, you know that." "Luke encouraged her to spend money on them." They sent the children lavish gifts." They got married, but that was a scam too". The minister was defrocked with his wife as the witness. The marriage certificate was a forgery. " He moved the bulk of her money to an over seas account in his name"" When she was deeply in debt, her money gone and her credit ruined he left her; and it was all perfectly legal. Luke covered his tracks well."" We believe he is teaching in Canada now".



" You loved Lisa, Adam." We know that, and she knows that" " It is now obvious that Lisa was only a trophy to Luke". "But that changed, too" Luke hates you Adam". Janice said,"He never forgave her for the beating that you gave him". Adding "It's a shame you didn't kill the bastard."



"Ruining her was his way of getting back at you". "I always liked you Adam". "Lisa did a terrible thing to you, there is no doubt about that". "But she is my sister, Adam". My husband and I loaned her money to invest for us". "We thought she was doing well." "We took a second mortgage on our house." "It's all gone; she can't pay us back." "My husband won't have anything to do with her now; I can't go against him, I have my children to think about." " I forgave my sister Adam" "I prayed to God that someday you would too".



I went back upstairs to my apartment and found Lisa quietly waiting for me to return. I informed her that Janice had told me everything. I told her that she could stay, if she was willing to work for room and board only. Lisa's face lit up at my offer.

She got up off the futon and hugged me, saying that she would do anything if I would just give her a second chance.

"Lisa", I said, I will take you back and give you a second chance. I am all for a fresh chance for us, but I will never remarry you."

" We can live together, but never again will we be equals." "You need to understand that right now." Lisa started to speak and I stopped her by gently putting my hand over her mouth and growling, "Be silent woman. I'm not done speaking." enjoying the look in her eyes."