The Case Of The Lizard (The Habitual Liar Edition)

Out of all my friends, Willow is the true champion of love. I met her in 1999 at the great Pennsylvania State University (WE ARE!). From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew Willow was one of a kind and we would be life long friends. Stunning with a big heart, there isn’t a man alive that didn’t fall for her. Unfortunately, Willow’s big heart and trusting eyes would lead her down the road of broken hearts until she married her one true love! Let’s go down memory lane with Willow. Here’s just one chapter in her amazing story: THE LIZARD aka THE HABITUAL LIAR! For many years, I would always blame myself for the Lizard. If it hadn’t been for me…Willow would have never met him. After ending a long term relationship (he’s another chapter for another time) and relocating from Florida (Willow’s most hated state) back to her home, the DC metro, I decided it was a bright idea to take Willow clubbing to celebrate her new found independence. Partying has always been one of two ways I celebrate a broken heart. I’m all about getting your “freak’um” dress on and saying fuck’um. Lol. I was having issues with a guy I was seeing so it seemed perfect to have a sexy girls night out. Willow, my childhood friend Tempest, and myself headed to the club H20. As the best of hip hop and reggae carried us away on the dance floor, I looked to see some tall and handsome dude whispering in Willow’s ear. I thought it was some harmless flirting so I supported her getting back into the game. Never did I think years later we would be calling him the Lizard! ? Before I knew it, he was following her all over the club and soon would be following her in life. Now follow me if you dare because here is where it gets messy! Within two weeks, the Lizard told Willow he loved her and wanted to be with her. Willow, the champion of love that she is, decided to step out on faith and give love a try again despite her recent broken heart. I have to admit, I thought she was out of her last damn mind! But now when I look back at her dating life, I admire Willow. I never believed in love so deeply that I thought it was worth the risk every time. Instead I played it safe and loved from afar my entire life. This is why Willow finally found the love of her life! With every heartbreak she knew she was one step closer to a true and everlasting love….while I was taking ten steps back! Ugh! But I digress! Back to Willow and the Lizard. Something about the Lizard rubbed me wrong right away. He would tell Willow these far fetched stories that just didn’t add up. Like he had an evil twin his family never told him about. To top things off, he claimed he didn’t know his real age (which I think was actually 40 although he didn’t look a day over 30). If your mouth has dropped open…close it because I haven’t hit you with his best story yet! The Lizard told Willow that he was in the military and on some special forces team that allowed him to do WEEK long tours in Iraq and Afghanistan! He would say, “Willow, watch the news tonight and look for me on tv!” I mean what the fuck?! Who is in Iraq for a week or weekend?! Willow suspected something was off with the Lizard but because she lived almost two hours away from him and her heart taught her to trust the one she loves until she had reason not to, Willow put her faith in the Lizard. God bless her heart! As time went on, their relationship had its ups and downs. One Saturday, me and my dude were arguing so I grabbed Tempest and we headed to H20! I know! I know! I’m childish! Lol. Still am. Before heading out I called Willow and told her my situation. Then something strange happened. Willow said, “I wish I was there to support you and go party with you! It’s going to be okay!” Then she laughed and said “Say hi to the Lizard for me!” I found that comment to be odd but didn’t question it. Not even fifteen minutes of being at H20, Tempest who had only met the Lizard once, recognized him dancing up on some chick in the club! Yo that Tempest missed her calling! She could have been a FBI agent with how great her memory was!?? If you get nothing else from this blog…please write this down. DON’T THINK you saw someone’s man out…BE SURE! Willow’s been my girl since forever so I had to be sure it was the Lizard! I walked over to him and purposely called him another name. He did in fact confirm his real name! The Lizard did not recognize myself nor Tempest! Granted, we had met him months ago in a dark club so it made sense he had no clue who we were. Oh did I mention that on this particular weekend the Lizard told Willow he would be in North Carolina doing some military training?! I can’t with him… Next I text Willow right then and there! She was heartbroken but not surprised as her woman’s intuition told her something was off with the Lizard! Something else to get from this blog…a woman’s intuition is the strongest thing she has. If your intuition says “Mary, you in danger girl!” Guess what?! You are in trouble! From there things got messier! Willow broke up with the Lizard but then eventually got back with him. Willow being the champion of love that she is…decided she loved the Lizard enough to forgive him. Willow being the smart business woman she is…decided against forgetting! A few months later, Willow broke the code on the Lizard’s phone only to find out he had FOUR other girlfriends! She called each one to get their stories and warn them of the man they had all fallen in love with. The last one cleared everything up for Willow. She told Willow she met the Lizard at the Post Office, where they both currently work!!!!?? Turns out, the Lizard had been in the military ten years prior to meeting Willow but had been working as a United States Postal Worker for the last couple years! There were no WEEKEND tours in Iraq nor Afghanistan! His evil twin brother was probably a second personality of his, he had like five or six children by different women, and I think he still lived at home with his mama or some other family member! What the fuck?! This man was in his 40s and about the only honest information he had ever shared with any of the women was his name! Lawd a mercy! We have all been lied to and hurt by someone we love. The point of this chapter in Willow’s life is to remind us all to trust our gut, never give up on love, and with true self love, no man can break you! I use to think Willow was gullible and a bit naive but then I saw the light! She was the best girlfriend in every relationship and when the men messed up, she could forever walk away knowing that her one true love was AHEAD of her…NOT BEHIND HER! So many times I revisited unhealthy relationships because when the guy was playing me, I was playing him too. Had I fully given my heart, allowed my heart to be open, and allowed things to be truly over when they were meant to be…I may be with my one true love now! DEEP! ~KJM telling Willow’s story chapter by chapter on Flashback Friday! Willow, I hope I did this chapter justice!