I Stopped Calling...

by Benjamin Todd — November 20, 2007

Oh Megan...

We'd been hanging out for about 2 months. We had lot of common interests, a few of the same friends, and we both had an affinity for food. Thing were okay, but not great. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I liked her more than she liked me, and I'm pretty sure we both knew it. When I returned from a quick trip to New York, I decided it was time to end things. She'd left me a few messages while I was gone, but I didn't really feel like returning her calls. The girl just didn't put in enough effort for me (I mean, not even a card on my birthday!) It was apparent she was just keeping me around until something better came along. So, I stopped calling (Note* I never said I would call her, I learned that lesson at a young age). She called one more time and left a message; sweet, innocent, unassuming. "Call me," she said with a smile...you could always tell from her voice when she was smiling. But I didn't call.

A couple weeks passed and she got the hint, or so I thought...or so I'm still trying to convince myself. Exactly two weeks to the day after I returned from my trip, she called again. I didn't pick up of course; I wanted to hear what kind of message she left. "I just think there are some things we should talk about," she offered. Harmless enough, right? I could play the maturity game if that's what she wanted. So I called.

"I just...I think you're a really great guy," she offered. "I think there are so many great qualities about you." Yeah, yeah, we've heard this before. "I think that we would be better off as friends," she suggested. Sure, sure, whatever you want. "I just hope I didn't hurt your feelings..." she bemoaned. Wait...what? Was she breaking up with me, two weeks after I stopped calling her? I had talked to this girl everyday for almost 2 months and then I disappeared, and she was ending things with ME!?

I didn't want to be immature and put her in her place, although it was tempting. "I STOPPED CALLING YOU!" I wanted to scream. She even offered to write me an email; a list of all the "great qualities" she saw in me. When I hinted that I didn't want the email she poured it on even thicker. "I just...I feel really bad about everything."

And that's when it had to end. We said our goodbyes and got off the phone, and I sat in my chair confused and deflated. I tried to laugh it off, but couldn't. I felt like I was losing my head. She'd flipped the breakup and took credit for the spilt, finalizing the insult with the bit about 'feeling bad.' I called my friend, stated the facts and had them clarify for me that I was not insane.

I realized then and still today how petty I was being, but she had successfully messed with my head and left me befuddled for days. I wish I had known if it was ignorance or brilliance that motivated her to call. But consciously or not, she changed the score in the record book. I had been beaten at a game I thought was already over, and I'm still not quite sure how it happened. I salute you Megan, well played!