Urban Legend

Back in July I met a guy online named Brian. I was blase as I got to know him, but he was very enthusiastic. We met up for the first time over a beer. It was a fine time, nothing to write home about, but as we left he said that he would really like to get together again. I decided to give it a second chance.

The next day I received a text message from him and the subsequent conversation went something like this:
Brian: I really enjoyed meeting you yesterday. I hope my nerves didn't keep me chattering on too long. I'd really like to see you again :-)
Caitlyn: It was nice to meet you too. Sure we can get together again sometime.
Brian: Awesome! I'm really looking forward to it.

I thought it was weird that he was so enthusiastic about getting together, but didn't suggest a time to do that.

(about a week later)
Brian: Caitlyn, do you still want to get together again?
Caitlyn (annoyed that he still hasn't suggested a time): I'm free next Tuesday or Thursday, do either of those work?
Brian: Thursday would be great! I'm so glad I get to see you again :-) Any ideas?
Caitlyn (even more annoyed that now I have to plan the date): There's live music in the square and a new gelato shop.
Brian: Live music and gelato with you would be fantastic! I guess we'll figure out the details a little closer to it, but for now it's in my calendar. I'm really looking forward to seeing you again :-)

Thursday came and I still hadn't heard from him about where and what time we were meeting. I realize I could have called to find out, but I guess I was sort of testing him to see if he could put even one detail into action. At 6:30 on Thursday evening I finally sent him a message:

Caitlyn: Are we still getting together tonight?
Brian: I am so sorry, but I have to cancel tonight. I apologize for the inconvenience and I hope you understand. I'll never let anything like this happen again, and I hope we can reschedule.

I didn't respond and wrote him off. The next day I got another very similar apologetic message. Again I didn't respond. That was the last time I heard from Brian until randomly 3 weeks ago.

Brian: Did I see you last week on the corner of X Street and Y Street, Caitlyn? I think I did :-)

I thought about it before responding. Did I want to open up this communication again? But I had just seen Must Love Dogs-- all about bad first impressions, so I decided to give it another chance.

Caitlyn: Yes, that was probably me. I was at blah blah blah that night.
Brian: I thought it was you! But you were with people so I didn't want to interrupt. So how are you? Since I haven't heard from you in a while I just assumed I was supposed to move along. But if that's not the case, I'd love to see you again :-)
Caitlyn: Sure, we can give it another go. I'm free next Tuesday or Thursday. If either of those work, just let me know where and when to meet you.
Brian: I'm so glad I get to see you again! Thursday would be great. I guess we'll figure out the details a little closer to it, but for now it's in the calendar so I'll be sure to be available.
Caitlyn: Cool. Just let me know the details whenever.
Brian: Really looking forward to it :-)

On a couple of occasions between the last conversation and the day of the proposed date he sent me messages like, "how are you, Caitlyn?" or "how's your Friday?" Which I found strange since we hadn't even gone on another date yet. (Which I probably should have taken as a sign that I really wasn't into this guy, but whatever.) However, Wednesday came without any word from him. Thursday came, and over lunch my friend Paul counseled me that if I hadn't heard from Brian by 6 pm I was not to wait around.

At 6 pm, Paul called, "Any word?" I replied in the negative and Paul told me to meet him at the Fiddlehead for a beer in 20 minutes. Paul and I had a great time tasting autumn beers and cheeses, and I periodically pulled out my phone to check it. 6:45.. no contact. 7:15.. no contact. I have to admit that I wasn't so surprised that Brian never planned anything, but I was surprised that he hadn't called AT ALL to cancel or apologize or anything.

At 8 pm, Paul and I were settling the bill and I turned to pick up my purse. Absent-mindedly I made eye contact with a man who had recently been seated in the corner of the restaurant by the window not 10 ft from me. And guess who it was?! ON A DATE! You guessed it, Brian himself. Sometimes the world is too small. How on EARTH did we end up in the same restaurant at the same time??

Unfortunately I didn't have the mental clarity at that moment to think of anything to say, and in the subsequent re-telling of this story my friends have given me many suggestions of things I could have or should have said. I'm sorry to say that on the spot, NOTHING came to mind. I just got out of the place as quick as I could. However, once outside, Paul and I walked by the window 3 times. I wanted to make him sweat. I'm grateful to report that I've never heard from him again.

But who knows, maybe in 3 months time...

And if I get another smiley face I will probably throw up.