Reminder, this story continues from Chapter 1 - the beginning.
Chapter 3 Alternative Version (Desperate Husbands)
From Chapter 1
Rather than looking silly, like a grown man in his underwear, Superman was an impressive specimen of manhood….
She’d been expecting an acne-faced teenager working for money towards college. This man was older, most likely in his early thirties. Yet that didn’t detract from his appeal in the least. When she realized she’d been staring, she shifted her gaze to the children who were gathered about him.
She watched him play with the children, lifting them up in the air for ‘flying’ lessons, pretending to rescue them. It touched her that this man had such a heart for children. Even though MJ had repeatedly told Susan that Superman was lame, the most boring superhero ever, her child’s face was beaming with joy.
As much as Superman loved being with the kids, Susan also caught a hint of melancholy about him. She chided herself. How on Earth would she know that? She’d never met the man and at that moment he was laughing loudly. Yet Susan had always been very perceptive when it came to people and their feelings.
She wasn’t sure how much time had elapsed by when a voice caught her attention.
“Ma’am?”
It was Superman. He’d come into the house. Flustered, she dropped the bowl of sickly yellow frosting she’d been holding. Somehow, even though he’d been on the opposite side of the room, he’d managed to dash over to retrieve the bowl before the contents dumped all over the floor.
How had he been able to move that fast? It didn’t seem humanly possible. Had it merely been an illusion? Things had been pretty hectic today.
“Thank you,” she said, a slight flush on her cheeks. “I don’t know what I’d done if I didn’t have frosting for the cupcakes.”
“Glad I could help,” he answered.
He was even more handsome up close. That sense of sadness still loomed yet his broad grin indicated he was thrilled to see her. Then she realized she’d been staring once again. Her cheeks grew warmer.
“Please, call me Susan.”
What was it about this man? Why did she feel so drawn to him? Why did she believe she had such insight into his emotional psyche? She fought the urge to wrap her arms about him and hold him tightly. A complete stranger! Where was this coming from?
Trying to sound normal she said, “You’re good with them – the kids.”
“Thanks. Can I bother you for a glass of cold water?”
Of course, that’s why he’d come in. He must be thirsty – she’d been watching him lugging those kids all around the yard.
“Why do you do this?” she asked as she turned on the faucet.
“I’ve been given these powers for a reason. To help others.”
Hmmm…seemed like this guy took his part a little too seriously. Maybe he was one of those method actors destined for greater roles.
Should she be concerned that he was studying her so intently? As if he couldn’t take his eyes off her? Then again, he could probably say the same about her.
Both started when their fingers brushed against each other’s as she handed him the glass of water.
Smoke started pouring out of her oven.
“Oh no!” Susan cried.
She ran toward it. Flames shot out when she flung open the door. Susan ducked, screaming. Any minute the house would catch on fire!
Then the fire vanished as quickly as it had appeared. A strong gust of wind had extinguished it. Where had that come from? It almost appeared as if Superman had blown on the fire to put it out. But that couldn’t be true.
“My hero.”
He stepped closer to her. A little too close, but Susan wasn’t complaining. At least her kitchen wasn’t on fire.
“Could you do me a favor?” he asked.
Those eyes. So warm. So understanding. She could drown in them. Yet there was also that hint of sadness in them that she felt compelled to erase. How long had she been staring at him?
Gathering her wits about her, she replied, “Sure”
“Could you be my Lois Lane?”
How silly that her heart practically skipped a beat.
“Sure.” Obviously he wanted her to assist with the act for the kids. She could be a good sport. Especially since MJ no longer had any birthday cupcakes. “What do I do?”
He reached toward her cheek to wipe off traces of frosting and flour.
“Thanks.”
Why did his touch seem so eerily familiar? Especially that particular gesture. Warning bells clanged in her mind yet she had no idea why. It almost seemed as if her body was already programmed to respond to him.
Feeling uneasy, she said, “Maybe this?” Hamming it up, she melodramatically shouted, “Help! Help!”
His smile faded. “Don’t you know what Lois is like?”
“Sorry. I was never into super heroes or comic books. Not my thing.”
His expression brightened as he spoke about her. “Lois Lane is one of a kind. She’s amazing. She’s smart. She’s tough. She doesn’t put up with much.”
This guy was definitely a method actor. He’d more than sold the idea that he was head over heels in love with Lois Lane. She’d give him high marks if she was asked to evaluate his performance which had been above and beyond the call of duty.
“If she’s so smart, why do you have to save her so much?” she teased.
“Sometimes she’s a bit impetuous and doesn’t think things through. She tends not to look before she leaps.”
“Doesn’t that get old - rescuing her? Seems like it would be a pain in the neck.”
“No. Not at all.” He assured her.
“Seems like it would to me.”
“I love her. I wouldn’t change her for the world.” There was that flash of pain in his eyes again.
Did this guy once have his own ‘Lois’? Had he delved into this superhero stuff to cope when the relationship had fallen apart? Yet, when he said he loved Lois, something deep within her had responded.
She tried her distress cry again. “Superman, help!”
“That’s better.” He rushed over to sweep her into his arms.
Both were silent. Somehow, nestled against him with his strong arms about her, this felt right. They fit together like a glove. She’d instinctively known where to rest her cheek against his shoulder. Why should she feel so comfortable with a man that she barely knew?
“Lois.”
That caught her attention. Though she wasn’t sure if it was the name or the odd intensity in his voice that had engaged her.
“That’s not my name.”
In some respects, Susan worried about his sanity. Yet with all these odd emotions bubbling up within her, she was a little concerned about herself as well.
More intently, he said, “Please, we need to talk.”
Still in his arms, she replied, “I don’t understand. I…don’t know you.”
“Humor me a minute.” He drew her closer. “Just close your eyes.”
She complied. It certainly felt right. The magnetism they shared was far deeper than sexual attraction. But she was a married woman. “I…I…”
“Sh…” Once again, he ran his hand along her face, tracing her cheek.
A tremor ran through her.
“Who are you? Really?”
“I’m Superman.”
“C’mon” she laughed.
“Open your eyes, Lois.”
Why did he insist on calling her that?
“Oh my God!” They were suspended several feet above the floor. Starting to panic, Susan asked, “What’s going on?”
“Lois.”
“That’s not my name. It’s Susan.”
“Susan…you are Lois. Try to think. Try to remember.”
“What?”
“You’re Lois Lane. You have to be the best at everything. Sometimes you even cheat at board games ‘cause you have to win. You’re the best reporter I’ve ever met.”
“That doesn’t sound like me.”
“Yeah? This isn’t the first time I’ve put out an oven fire.”
A strange twinge hit her, almost as if she was remembering a similar incident, in a different kitchen, with him.
“This is crazy.”
He didn’t relinquish his hold on her and she didn’t try to run away, given their current location near the ceiling.
“I…I…I’m sorry. There’s nothing. I don’t remember any of this.”
She felt badly for him. His grief was so sincere she honestly didn’t think he was trying to deceive her. And she couldn’t imagine how he could fake this flying stunt without advance preparations.
Softly, painfully, he said, “You’re Lois Lane. You’re my wife. We have a child. Please…this is going to sound nuts but let me finish.”
“Okay.”
“We’ve been cursed. Whenever we get together in any way, in any lifetime, fate rips us apart. We thought we’d beaten it. This is going to sound insane but a lunatic called Tempus stole you, knocked out your memory and brought you to an alternative dimension.”
Susan was stunned. It didn’t make sense. But neither did these intense emotions or people flying.
“I’m sorry. That’s just not true.” Despite her unexplained affection towards this man she barely knew, she had history here. “I’m married to Mike. I have a daughter, Julie, and a son, MJ. We just returned to Wisteria Lane. I’ve lived here for years.”
“You sure about that? How far back does your memory go?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Try me. Is there a point where you have blanks or things get foggy?” he asked.
“Of course not!” But…even though she’d raised Julie years ago, she felt as if she were learning anew with MJ. As she thought more critically, she realized some of her memories, especially the older ones, lacked emotional associations, such as being married to Carl. It was almost as if they were implanted tapes rather than authentic memories. But this was absurd, it just couldn’t be true!
Then again, she shouldn’t be floating around her house either.
She was so confused. She loved Mike and MJ and all her friends here. Yet her feelings were strongly pulling her towards this stranger.
“I…don’t know what to do.”
“Come with me,” he urged.
“I can’t do that. I have a life here. People I love.”
“Lois, it’s taken me five years to locate you here. And the window to access this dimension is closing quickly. It’s been hell without you. I love you. Christopher wants to know his mother. Please, please come home.”
“If only I could remember something. Anything.”
“Close your eyes.” He shifted her so that they were standing face to face. They began to dance. “Do you remember doing this together in your apartment after the Kerth awards? Don’t answer, just listen to your heart.”
Strangely enough, an image popped into her head. She’d been wearing a black formal gown.
“I have an idea,” Superman said.
Suddenly Susan felt the two of them moving, very quickly, though she felt safe because Superman held her securely. She still clung tightly to him.
“Open your eyes. Slowly.”
“Oh my God!”
They were flying! Over Fairview. There was the coffee shop, the hospital, the mall… Susan Delfino who got sick on airplanes was flying. And loving it.
“Do you remember?” he anxiously asked.
She tried. Although there was a strong sense of deju vu, it wasn’t concrete.
The two landed in a park near Susan’s neighborhood.
“That was…something,” Susan said.
“Please, come home with me.”
She longed to be with him and take away his suffering. Yet she couldn’t unless she fully believed his story. She needed some spark, some personal revelation to make it real to her. She also couldn’t bear to hurt MJ and Mike. What would happen to them?
“I…can’t.”
His shoulders slumped. “I understand. I would never force you to do anything against your will.”
“Can you….can you come visit again?” Susan asked.
“I don’t think so. It was hard enough to get here now.”
“Oh”
Emotional turmoil was building up within her. Mike was her husband. She loved him. Then why did she feel like her world would be over if she never saw Superman again? Why did it seem like a horrible mistake to let him go?
“Can I kiss you goodbye?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He drew her close to kiss her.
As with his touch, his kiss felt like home, igniting sparks within her. She knew this man – the taste of his kisses, the feel of his arms about her.
A vivid memory came flooding back.
But it wasn’t about Superman.
It was about a handsome man with dark hair, wearing glasses with a brilliant smile. A man who was gentle and kind and would do anything for her.
Her heart leapt with joy.
“Clark?”
THE END
