(Eight ways to evaluate your writing, on this week's Jared's Inkwell! -JMG)
Story Sent in by Blanca:
Thomas was in a really good mood as we walked along the beach on our first date. At first I thought/hoped that he was just happy to be around me, but my insecurity took over and I asked him, "Why are you so smiley?"
He hesitated then said, "I guess I can tell you: I took the best crap in the history of the universe this morning."
"...oh."
"Okay," he was quick to say, "I know what you're thinking, but this was a miraculous dump. It tickled parts of me I didn't even know I had."
"...Okay, so anyway–"
"Hey, you asked."
"And I'm sorry I did! Anyway..."
We went on for a while, talking about this and that. I don't know why, but I thought that maybe the date was salvageable. Maybe that was just his way of trying to make me laugh. Maybe his intentions were somehow good.
He sealed his fate at dinner, though. Once our meal was served he said, "I can't wait to see the crap that this is gonna make!" then laughed hard and dug in.
I didn't say anything to that. When he left a voicemail a few days later for a follow-up date, I didn't say anything to that, either.
Why did you bother with dinner?
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I don't get with reading all of these "bad dates" are why people who are being insulted and belittled, continue the goddamn date.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a form of normalcy bias. If something it too far outside the realm of the expected, people will have trouble accepting that it's happening at all, or if they do, then they have trouble believing that it will continue to happen. That's why many people can watch a crime being commited right in front of them and not do anything.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in the person's head, there's a block that says "No date could be this rude/abusive/idiotic/sick/psycho, so if I just stick around another minute things will go back to being fine."
One reason I come here is to observe this mindset in action, so I'll be less likely to fall into that trap.