Dave Friendly- Part III

I got a really angry comment about this blog and I don't know who sent it. Before I really thought about it, I got upset and deleted it. It stuck in my head for a few days however.

Because it was true.

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I took a shower, took out my infernal contact lenses and put on my favorite college sweatshirt (which I guess is now my favorite, tattered college rag). Dave was getting dress to leave. I sat there crosslegged finishing my third beer-if you know me , you know that the third one makes me officially drunk.

"It's hard to believe you're thirty." he said. (A completely unnecessary compliment as I've already stated he's getting ready to leave.) "I'm not 30; I'm 34, closer to 35 if we're going to be fair."

"Really? well I guess we have known each other for three years. But you were 31 then?" And from out of nowhere a crazy memory runs through my brain.

"Yeah, I was 31 when we met."

And then, "What ever happened to that guy?"

I know full well what guy Dave is referring to but I don't want to go there. "You know that guy. What was his name? The one we ran into on our first date." And I have nowhere to go but there. "Rick."

Yes, on my first date with Dave, we ran into Rick. And I almost knew it was going to happen and couldn't do anything to stop it. The irony of my life.

It was near Rick's 40th birthday. we were sort of in between dating. I thought we were done- I was out trying to meet new people- and I had no idea that we would date again. and break up again. More than once.

But he had called me to see if I wanted to join him and his friends for his birthday. And I had set-up a date with Dave already. But I did ask where he and his friends were going-and it happened to be the same not very large town where I was supposed to meet Dave. and Dave had already left. I crossed my fingers and hoped they would be at another bar.

Things were going well. Dave and I were sitting at the bar talking. As first dates go it was good. And then from behind us we heard a big, loud group of people come in. "I wonder what that ruckus is all about," Dave said. And I turned just a hair to see Rick walk in the door. This can't be happening I thought. No, it can't. So in typical fashion, I ignored it.

Until I felt a hand around my shoulder and heard the voice, "Jennifer." I was trapped. There was one arm behind me and my date next to me. I had no where to go. And someone was enjoying my discomfort. And them introduced himself.

"So how long have you and Jen been going out?" At this point I just want to die.

"She's a really great girl." A double whammy since I can't take a compliment to save my life and he's being way over the top on the really great part.

After what seems like an eternity and a couple more intonations of "she's really great" there is a god and he returns to his group. I breath a giant sigh and then return my attentions to my stunned date. "I'm really sorry about that," I say trying to begin the repair. "You slept with him didn't you?" And for a moment I sit there, wishing I was anywhere but there. And Dave starts to laugh at my squirming, "It's kind of obvious," he says now nearly laughing. So I admit, we used to date. And he continues to the next logical, albeit unsettling, question. "What happened."

"I don't know."

Three years later and I think I know.

Anyways. Back to, "What ever happened to that guy?"

I think about it for a minute and answer with, "I farked up." And then the entire story of earlier in February.

"You should call him," Dave says. "He really likes you. In fact in a few more minutes I would have left you there with him at the bar that first night we went out. You could see it. Really. I've never seen that type of thing."