The Dating Chronicles – In Reverse

The Dating Chronicles

In Reverse

Celeste was daydreaming as usual and not listening to her friend Marie’s chatter about the new club they were going to.  She was thinking about Brad and their last night together, and how much she’d been hurt by his stinging words.

“I’m just not ready to be in love right now and you are…and I don’t think it’s fair to you for me to feel something different than what you feel.”

The phone rang and she let Marie answer it.  She didn’t feel like moving or going out.  She was tired of clubs and men-scouting, and she wasn’t in the mood for loud music.  She knew her three friends would be disappointed if she didn’t go, so she suffered silently as she finished getting dressed.

 Later, when they arrived at the club, the dance floor was crowded, and they quickly found a seat in a dark corner.  The room was pulsating with people searching for something or someone, and Celeste was becoming unglued emotionally, as she sat and watched the action.  She had hoped a year ago when she met Brad that she would no longer be a part of the hunting game of choosing or waiting to be chosen.  She watched her three friends smiling anxiously in anticipation of being noticed.    Suddenly, she wanted to go home.

As she grabbed her purse and headed toward the door, she could hear her friends calling her over the loud music.  Then she saw Brad, and she took a step backward.  Her eyes widened, but she couldn’t speak.  When Brad walked up and took her hand, she felt faint.

“Celeste, I’ve missed you so much, and I came here tonight to tell you that.  Marie told me you would be here, and I wanted to see you.  I’m so sorry about what I told you.  I was confused about my feelings.  But I’m not anymore.  I love you too, and I’m ready to do whatever you want even if that includes marriage.”

 Celeste stared at him blankly without saying a word.  Her heart was leaping inside her chest, as she gently took her hand from his, and began walking towards the door.  She was excited and grateful for his words, but she refused to display it.

As she walked out of the club, she made the decision to call him in a couple of days.  But for now, she wanted him to experience what she’d been experiencing for the last six months…the depths of rejection.