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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

We’re Talking Pay-Back Time

Cheryl Lavin Chicago Tribune

In the name of love some pretty nasty things have been done. Sometimes it’s to teach someone a lesson, sometimes it’s to make a point, sometimes, it’s just fun.

Carol: “My husband was appointed head of a department at a local college and was feeling like a Big Man on Campus. While I was abroad for two weeks on business, he began seeing a student of his. I know the approximate dates because he called her on our cellular phone and the bill prints out the numbers.

“After I confronted him, we decided to work on our problem and since then we have been doing quite well. That should have been enough for me, but it wasn’t.

“I wrote an anonymous letter to his boss alerting him of the situation and harassment issues that could arise. I also had her mail forwarded to an unsavory part of the city. Since then she has not gotten her mail, including her tuition bill and grades. As a result, she was locked out of registering for winter classes because her tuition was not paid. They were both advised of the consequences of further inappropriate behavior.

“I realize that my husband could have lost his job because of this, but I feel the lesson is more valuable than any job. But if he found out that I wrote that letter, he’d probably leave me.”

Tamara: “I sent him subscriptions to “Penthouse,” “Playboy,” “Hustler” and every other skin magazine on the market. His wife must have wondered at his new taste in literature.”

David: “We recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and my wife’s first year of sobriety. Our marriage survived my tour in Vietnam the first year we were married, three children, job changes and unexpected financial setbacks. The most difficult obstacle though was my wife’s three-year battle with alcoholism and her affair with a married man. As part of the recovery process, we had all forgiven her and were looking forward to a fresh start. It was almost like a second honeymoon. My daughter and parents put together a surprise party for close friends and family who had seen her through the drinking and recovery. To mark the occasion, I presented her with a three-carat anniversary band and a seven-page letter I had written about how proud I was of her.

“Six weeks later, she announced to me, over dinner at a restaurant, that she was moving out and divorcing me. She was tired of being controlled by me and answering to me or the kids or anyone else about her whereabouts. She said it was time for her to fly. Yes. She actually said that while announcing the end of our 25-year marriage. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, it sounded so silly.

“Two weeks later, she moved into an apartment. The next weekend, one of her co-workers moved in with her. Her timing was flawless. She kept the ring but returned the letter, torn to pieces. I get to keep the family and the children.

“I guess there are worse things a partner can do to you, I just can’t think of any right now.”

Lisa: “When I was 18, I met a guy five years older. He was slick and I fell for all his stories. After three years of his lies, I decided to get back at him. My gay friend suggested that I put Mike’s name and number in the gay men’s personals. We wrote an ad for him. My friend made sure he got calls, letters and photos. He never knew it was me who did it because he had lots of enemies.”

George: “I told her mother she was taking birth control pills.”

Jackie: “I put Stop It, stuff to stop thumb-sucking and nail biting, in his dentures.”