I'm going to take a divergence from my usual frivolity and irreverence here on this blog.
Yup, a departure. I'm instead going to sink below all that and slip right over into immature and really, a bit petty.
But I'll redeem myself by the end. I promise.
Watch me work.
So, last evening I was out and about. I had drinks with a former coworker. A lady who is a friend, a mentor, and someone I respect deeply. It was great to catch up, laugh a little, and have fun.
Later, after we'd parted ways, I wandered over to the ol' stompin' grounds located near my former employer. I was looking for a friend I knew would probably be there, having a drink. I was surprised to find not just my buddy, but also a whole group of my former crew from The Company.
These are the folks I worked with, side by side, walking through fire, hand-to-hand combat, and together we had major, major success.
These are some of the best folks, and it was great to see them!
Among those present was a gentleman (using that term loosely) that I worked with pretty closely back in the day. This was quite a few years ago, well before The Good Man.
For the sake of anonymity, let's call him...Sporto.
Back then, I sorta had a little crush on the guy. Yes, I'll admit it, I liked ol' Sporto a lot and might have chased him a little bit. I think he might have liked me a little too, but just a little. He actually liked it better when I was chasing him around.
So of course, I never got any traction there, and eventually gave up.
Whatever.
So last night, there Sporto was, and seemed really happy to see me. He gave me a big hug, a "how *are* you?" and that ol' charming smile...the one like a ferret about to devour the alligator egg.
After hugs all around the group, we all got a drink and settled around a table. We quickly fell back into our old ways, teasing each other mercilessly and laughing a lot.
At one point, I said to the group something like, "yeah, my husband told me blah blah blah."
What I said doesn't matter.
What *does* matter is that when I said the phrase "my husband", ol' Sporto's ears perked up, and he gave me a look like someone had shot his dog.
He caught my eye across the table and mouthed, "You got married?"
I nodded eagerly and held up my ring hand.
And I grinned a Cheshire smile.
Later he caught me aside, "uh...when did you get married? I mean, last time I saw you...you were...."
He left that space empty to imply, "last time I saw you, you were into ME"
Whatever.
I laughed and said, "Yeah, I got married about a year ago, he's great, we're having a lot of fun."
And here's where I got petty.
I then said to him, concerned hand on his shoulder, "Why do you look so sad?"
He mumbled, "I don't know.....I guess.....just another good one off the market."
What I *should* have replied was "YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE, DILLWEED!!"
Here's where I redeem myself.
What I did reply was, "thanks for saying that..."
He then shuffled off, shot-dog look and shoulder slumped, over to the bar, and ordered another beer.
I went back to my friends and picked up where we left off.
I also *might* have engaged in a small, yet subtle vindication dance.
