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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

the ex

I was just hanging up my phone and getting ready to leave when I saw him.  He walked passed the area I was in just when I glanced up.  He looked older than I remember, a little more... mature.  But there was something instantly recognizable.  Yes, it was him.  I was sure...

On impulse, I wanted to call out to him, say hi, catch up a bit, ask about his mom.  But I stopped myself.  He was with someone.  A woman...

Our breakup had been my idea.  I was moving on, and I just didn't feel there was room in my life for him anymore.  He protested a bit at first, but I assured him he'd be fine.  There were plenty more fish in the sea.  Heck, I even offered to help him find someone else!

I learned he'd moved on.  His mother told me not long after we'd split.  I don't recall feeling any pangs of jealousy then.  It was all for the best.

But yesterday.  Yesterday was different.  Seeing him.  Seeing him with HER.  Different.

He hadn't seen me, so I gathered up my things and stealthily headed in the direction they'd gone.  I spied the obvious places, but saw no sign of them.  But that place is big, I continued to survey while trying to look inconspicuous.

Eventually... there.  There they were.  The two of them sharing a small table.  I watched for a few seconds out of the corner of my eye.  She was speaking, he was leaning slightly forward.  I tried to discern his body language.  Was he happy?  Was that boredom I detected, or was I just projecting my own selfish thoughts into the situation?

I had flashbacks to our times together.  His funny stories he would share, the snacks he always brought.  Did he bring snacks to this new woman?

I couldn't stand there and stare, I kept moving.  His back was to me, and the woman was not one of the familiar regulars I typically saw.  As much as I would have liked to visit with him a bit, this was neither the time nor the place.

OK, fine. He's got another math tutor.  They meet at the same library.






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8 comments:

Betty said...

Good one! Made me laugh! You should have just casually said Hi to see his reaction.

ShadowRun300 said...

Sometimes you don't know what you got til it's gone...
Then again, now that it's gone you got so much free time!

Abby said...

I didn't want to interrupt - could've been awkward for the other woman!

Abby said...

He's a sweet kid from a nice family. Just wanted too much commitment from me. I have commitment issues...

Rock Chef said...

Aw.

Riot Kitty said...

I'm with grumpy cat.

terri said...

You did the right thing. You've both moved on. It's bittersweet, but for the best. :-)

agg79 said...

Ahh, old flames never die. It's probably best that you parted ways. You had to know it would not end well. Better that you cut it off when you did.