Post Breakup WIN - Francesca

Last summer, I met a cute writer/teacher Garrett. He was also known as the Glow Stick Impresario (only by me), since his grandfather invented the stuff. Things were going well; we had a lot of fun together and had similar tastes in music and boozing. We hung out for a couple months, and had some fun times ranging from a long adventure to a non-party in Connecticut (total shenanigans) to him holding my hand through my latest tattoo to a Beastie Boys concert to many a late night drinking together. One night in particular stuck out...we'd been hanging out drinking Captain Morgan Mango Rum (DELICIOUS), and it was about 3 am on a Wednesday. We decided at that point, we should become official and exclusive. I was pretty excited...this was a guy I actually liked...one of the first I'd liked in awhile. He went home the next morning, and I enjoyed a random vacation day. That was the last I heard from him. He suddenly no longer answered his phone or email. With my fleeting attention span, the sadness of the "breakup" lasted about 2 days. I heard from him briefly a few weeks later, saying he was busy, but would get back to me. I deleted his number after that call.

Fast forward one year. I'm hanging at my usual haunt, drinking beers and talking to the crowd...oddly, I don't know anyone's name or number, we all just recognize each other in the outdoor area...but that's totally unrelated. I see a familiar face across the bar, and go to say hi, realizing as I get closer, it's the cousin and cousin's fiancee of Garrett. We got along well when I first met them, so I caught up with them. Eventually, my disappearance at cookouts and bar nights was explained. Apparently, Garrett had gone for a brief stint in rehab (3 days), then went on to teach at a high school he couldn't stand, so after the school year was over, he quit and moved back in with his parents. I was suddenly MUCH more okay with the fact that I was no longer spending time with this guy. I bid my farewells, and went off in search of another juicy PBR.

On my way to the bar, someone grabbed my arm. I didn't recognize the person at first...until he mentioned Tim...it clicked. This is Garrett. Wow...he totally looked like someone who had spent three days in rehab, worked for a year at a place he hated and was now unemployed and living with his parents. That, and about 70 pounds heavier. We had the obligatory "how are you now" conversation, at which point I made the "save me" eye contact with my friend across the room. Okay, maybe I'm a bit superficial, but I totally reveled in the fact I won in the post-breakup world. And then I made it even worse by grabbing my friend when he came over to save me from the conversation, putting my arm around him, and telling him we had to get back home. Whatever...I still won.