I turned back, quietly looking out from the flower field. Lyle and Crystal were talking in the woods and happened to be right behind me. Immediately, I mentally scolded myself for having such bad luck, for I saw them no matter where I went.
“Lyle, do you really not know why I’m leaving?” she asked, leaning against the tree trunk with an expression full of sadness and melancholy. “The same reason why I came back; you’ve always been very clear of it.”
“I know. I really do. But Crystal, you know my feelings. Why do you suddenly have to leave? Are you going to abandon me?” he asked, pulling her into a hug. “I’ve torn the plane ticket. Let’s not leave. We’ll stay in Avenport and never separate ever again.”
“But I don’t want to go on like this anymore. You have a wife and family, so every time I go out with you, everyone looks at me strangely. Public opinion of me has also been poor. For you, I can accept the public condemnation, but I can’t accept that my identity is merely your wife’s cousin.”
She sighed, then laughed again. “Recently, I’ve been thinking about something. Am I wrong to come back? If I didn’t come back, you’ll always be with Yvonne and won’t be in such a difficult position either.”
“I’m not in a difficult position. Really. Crystal, I don’t want to lose you.” His voice was full of affection every time he said Crystal’s name. Then, he leaned forward, wanting to kiss her, but she pushed him away.
“I don’t want to wait anymore, Lyle. Since you can’t get over her and don’t want to get a divorce, why shouldn’t I fulfill your wishes? If you actually tore the ticket, I can book another one. It’s really goodbye this time, Lyle.”
The moment I heard her words, I recalled what Christopher had said to her that morning at Moon Village Restaurant. It seemed as though she indeed wanted to force Lyle. Otherwise, she would not use the plane ticket trick.
“Okay, I’ll get a divorce. I’ll do it tomorrow. Don’t leave. Once I get a divorce, and everything subsides, we’ll hold a grand wedding so that you can marry me in style, okay?” he replied. He finally gritted his teeth and talked about the divorce.
“Really?” she asked, turning her head to look at him.
“Of course. You know me, Crystal. I’ve never lied to you. All these years, no matter how many women have stood next to me, you’ve always been the one in my heart. I can’t give up on you,” he said, looking at her affectionately.
“Lyle!” With tears in her eyes, she suddenly moved forward, pressing Lyle against the tree forcefully and kissing him. He responded enthusiastically, the two quickly pressing themselves together in ecstasy.
Since the sky was turning dark, he quickly flipped them around and pressed Crystal against the tree. Then, he lifted her off the ground such that she could only hold onto his neck to prevent herself from falling.
There were sounds of a zipper unzipping before I saw Crystal’s two pale legs rocking rhythmically. They were in the middle of it. I quickly turned around, hoping to wash my eyes with water as soon as possible.
Although society was open at that time, and many couples dated and did indescribable things in the woods, they were still a little too open. It was already not the first time I ran into them doing it in the woods.
“Don’t lie to me, Lyle. I’ll be very upset!” Crystal said as she tilted her head back, exposing her neck. Her skirt was pushed up to her waist, gathering in a lump, and her graceful figure was rocking in time with the tree.
“I won’t… I won’t… You’re most important to me in this lifetime. No one can replace you,” Lyle replied as he panted.
Quietly picking up my bag, I covered my eyes and quickly left that filthy place. Then, as soon as I got home, my phone rang. It was Lyle. “Come to City Hall tomorrow morning. We’ll get a divorce.”
