The High Road


On Wednesday evening of this week, I stopped off at Walmart to pick up some supplies for a science experiment that I was going to do for my science classes the next day.  I needed dry yeast, balloons, and food colouring.  I got them all but inadvertently picked something else up - the acquaintance of my ex-boyfriend.

It happened a few steps away from the entrance of the store.  I hadn't yet picked up my blue basket when I suddenly heard my name being called from the right.  I turned to look and chills immediately ran down my back.  This was the person who had turned into a semi-stalker years ago, who had hounded me through the phone a 100 times a day which was the reason why I had to change my number, and who had borrowed $400 from me and never returned it.  I had only a split second to sock him in the eye with the blue basket or take the high road, square my shoulders and say hello.

I took the high road.  We chatted a bit and he danced around the question he wanted to ask me: can we get together again?  What he asked was, do you have time for coffee?  I said no and soon after he asked what my situation was in terms of relationships.  To avoid having a battle with him about going out with me again,  I told him I was married.  When I told him that, he stiffened up and the perkiness in him dissipated.  He said that it should have been him who married me.  I asked about his situation but as I suspected, he wasn't with anyone.  No good woman would go out with him or stay with him for long.  However, he did say that he has a son now from his ex-girlfriend from 3 years ago.  Apparently, he had to go through some legal battle with her about having shared custody of the child.

Listening to the way his life has unfolded and watching the way he continues to walk with a limp from a knee injury made me feel rather sorry for him.  Nothing has changed with him.  Nothing has gotten better.  He's got nothing to show for all these years that have passed.  What a waste.

He walked me to the checkout and offered to pay for my items, and then walked me to my car.  Before we parted, he wished me a good happy life and hoped that it will work out for me.  He didn't ask for my contact info or if we could keep in touch.  We said good-bye, I got into my car and drove away.

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1 Response to "The High Road"

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