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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