Know When To Run...
Yesterday I was strolling through the bookstore when, without notice, my heart suddenly lodged itself in my throat. There, sitting on a stool in the home improvement section with his daughter, was an old boyfriend. We had only seen each other once over the last 11 years and that was at the reunion 6 months ago. This was not good.
My mind raced. Do I run? I could hide behind the travel section...I might be able to make it...
Before I even finished the last sentence, he spotted me. I was stuck. The only way to go now was forward. Straight into enemy territory.
My feet felt as if they were filled with lead. I trudged ahead, mindful of any bombs or poisonous barbs that may lie in my path. I focused on his hair...his now graying hair. (This provided the only silver lining to the big black cloud that was now looming over my head.)
We smiled and exchanged false pleasantries until I was caught off guard by the sudden arrival of reinforcements...in the form of his wife (who incidently does not like me.)
My nerves got the best of me and a terrible, terrible thing happened. I started talking...rambling really...and couldn't stop. It's like, in your mind...you hear what you're saying, you know you've gone too far and you know you should stop...but no matter how far you stretch, that 'off' button is just out of your reach.
I'm not sure how I finally escaped. Maybe I waved a white flag...maybe I snuck off while they weren't looking. What I do know is that I woke up this morning with a hang over.
posted by Lindsey @ 3/05/2006 09:32:00 AM
27 Comments:
Always a pleasure to read your prose Linny.
I am glad you got out of there eventually. How awkward!
I ran into an ex over christmas, and I hadnt seen him in years. We stopped and also exchanged fake conversation, until I stopped talking and said "This is really akward, i'm gonna go"..and I walked away.
I just realized today why your blog reminds me of my life. You post all the stories that happen to me, that I dont even think to blog about.....Awww...you fill in the gaps of my life Linny...LOL! You're awesome
I hate when I do the rambling thing. I cannot ever find the OFF switch either!
Yikes, next time just smile and wave and keep on walking.
i had coffee with my ex yesterday. we had a good time. :)
thanks for stopping in to check on me.. i updated!
Linny,
Your posts are more entertaining than desperate houswives AND bridget jones diary combined. And frankly, this is probably the only blog where it's possible to make it not about ME.
Ouch! That sounds bad. At least you made it out alive. I know exactly what you are talking about.
Oh, how terrible! I had a similar run-in with an ex recently also. I hate when I can hear myself rambling and knowing that I need and want to stop, but to my own horror, continue. It's like I am thinking if I just say one more thing to correct the last statement and so on and so on yet I'm digging myself deeper and deeper. Ugh!
At least you looked fabulous! :-)
lol Linny it's ok...to meet an ex with his family is quite hard but I think u did well - I would have passed out!
Keshi.
Linny,
I really enjoy your style of writing, humor, and ability to find the humor in random moments.
Keep it up.
Ah, finally... an upside to never dating: no exes. This wouldn't happen to me. But then, I'm also a guy. If I want out of a conversation (or not get into one) a nod and two grunts are sufficient.
What is so wrong about running into him accidentally? As you said, it was 11 years ago. It was over a long time ago. Or is this a girl thing?
see you should've just politely waved, turned and carried on looking at the shelf nearest you, even if it was something you'd never be interested in, then it's up to him to come over and talk if he wants to...
but seeing as you didn't, i'm just going to sit here chuckling to myself :P
Oy. Scary stuff, Linny me girl. Scary stuff...
I just ignore my exes and they ignore me. No talking allowed. :)
And I like gray hair on men. Sexy. Intelligent. Something...but it works.
Happy Monday!
Glad you escaped. ;)
~ Ash
So funny. It was beer thirty at that point, huh??? LOL
Is this the ex whose wife got fat?
Cause if so, that is why she doesn't like you.
Cause your not.
What's wrong with graying hair? I'm going gray quite nicely... I've earned every last one of them. At least I'm not going bald.
I can see myself doing the same thing...No wait, I HAVE done the same thing. It's like "SHut up, self, shut up!"
Ugh- hate it when I get diaherra of the mouth. I do it when I get nervous, or in awkward situations as well.
You forget to realize that you represent freedom to him. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't hear from him again looking for the booty call. Then you can knee him in the groin.
I imagine it was kind of endearing in the end.
OH shit I hate that feeling. Facing an unpleasantry leaves a sour taste in the mouth. I would of just pretended to not even notice he was there and gone about my business...weakling. What is there left to talk about but the weather anyway...
It is hard to stay the course and just walk away if that is what you wanted to do... being polite always messes it up! What a nightmare!
in regards to the hangover, will the old boyfriend respect you in the morning? lol.
Princess...you know I've got to look out for my girl. :0)
Trée, Ohh Man and Sass...thank you so much for the compliments. They really mean a lot.
Berly...yes it's the same one. And she looked even bigger this time. :0)
I have been looking for sites like this for a long time. Thank you! »
Post a Comment
<< Home