When It's Okay to Forget Your Baggage

Story Submitted by Victoria:

I was out at a restaurant with Jerome, and the exact moment that our date went downhill was when I rubbed a wet finger around the mouth of a wine glass to make a sound.  He said, "She used to do that."

I asked, "Who?"

He said, "Katrina.  My ex.  She did it better, though.  She could play a few at once."

"I'm sorry that I'm not Katrina," I said.

He sighed.  "Me too," then pulled out his phone.  "I'm going to call her.  Excuse me."  He stood up from the table and walked away.

When he returned, he said, "I had to leave a voicemail.  She's probably too busy fucking some other guys.  Or girls.  One never knows with Katrina.  Ready to order?"

We ordered, and he regaled me with all sorts of tales about himself and Katrina.  It was sad enough to make me really feel bad for him, but I also didn't understand what he was doing out on a date when he was clearly not over her.

Towards the end of dinner, he asked, "My place or yours?"

I told him, "Neither."

He said, "Having sex will probably help kick Katrina out of my thoughts.  You'd be doing me a favor."

I replied, "I don't think that anything will kick Katrina out of your thoughts that easily."

"Sex will."

"I doubt it."

He sat back and frowned.  "You're probably fucking her, too."

I stood up and said, "That does it.  Excuse me," and I left.