I Can't Imagine Why They Split

Story Submitted by James:

Margaret and I were out on a walk.  It was our first time meeting in person after a couple of weeks of emails and phone calls.  She had asked me about how my week had been and I told her, "It was fine.  Except for Wednesday.  On Wednesday–"

"Enough, already.  Can't we walk in peace and quiet?" she said.

I replied, "Sure.  It's just that you had asked about my week and I was answering you."

"Yes.  Tell me about your week.  I'm sorry."

"Okay.  On Wednesday, there was a near-catastrophe.  One of my coworkers–"

She said, "Okay, I'm sorry, can you stop, now?  I'm not sure why I thought I could take it, but I guess I can't."

I asked, "You can't take conversation?"

"Not yours.  Let me take over."

She then regaled with tales about herself and her life, starting with elementary school and bringing me up to speed on how she made it to where she ended up.  Of note was the fact that her boyfriend of seven years had dumped her for a guy, and then the guy's sister.

Once she was done talking, I asked, "Are you happy with the way things turned out for you?"

She said, "That's a stupid question.  Ask me another one."

I asked, "Where do you see your life going?"

She groaned and stomped away from me, as if I had been pestering her for hours and wouldn't leave her alone.  I called after her, "What do you want me to ask you?"

She said, "You're not at all sorry for me about my boyfriend breaking up with me and dating some guy and then his sister?  That's not strange to you?"

I said, "It is, but I didn't see a need to question you about it.  I'm sorry that it happened, if that helps."

She shook her head.  "You obviously don't mean it.  This isn't going to work.  Let's just say goodbye."

"Okay."

Her mouth dropped open.  She asked, "You'd just let me go?  Just like that?  Maybe we really aren't meant to be together."

"Works for me."

"You're an asshole."

"Yeah."

So it went.  I think she was just looking to pick a fight that day, and I happened to be the one she picked.  Maybe I was a bit dismissive of her, but I think it was justified.