Dilemma

I'm really dreading the next two hours of my life right now. I decided to be agreeable, and now I'm sorry. Lemme 'splain.

In the year and a half since I stopped dating the Pinball Champ, he's been in touch at various times to ask if I wanted to meet up. Last fall, I put him off for three months before we finally got together for a drink, on an evening which ended with him trying to make out with me on the street and me pushing him off and jumping in a cab. Since then, he's been in touch every couple of months, but I've never agreed to meet up with him again.

Until a few weeks ago, when for some reason I decided that the only kind thing to do would be to see him. If he's still wanting to see me after a year, I figure, the least I can do is to remind him again what a pain in the ass I am and see if that helps him move on. Right? Except now that the evening has arrived, I'm dreading it. I know I should have just said no, but I thought finally agreeing to meet was the nicer thing. But now I'm not so sure.
You tell me - what would you have done?

Really, we should go back to this summer's email exchange, which was my fault, because I saw a movie I thought he would like, so I emailed him about it. Bad idea. It kicked off this this whole last six months of him wanting to get together.

HIGH-larious, as my sister says.

--- On Sun, 7/20/08:

From: Me
Subject:
To: Pinball Champ
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 1:00 PM
hey - saw a movie last night that I thought you'd enjoy.
Have you
seen The Wackness? Set in NYC 1994 - white kid who loves
all things
hip-hop. Reminded me of someone...

From: Pinball Champ
Date: July 23, 2008 2:48:04 PM EDT
To: me
Subject: wackness?

Yeah, I heard about that flick, but the reviews said it was a bit cliched. I think I'd probably like the soundtrack more than the movie, but I've got most of it already.

Besides, seeing me in person is a lot more thrilling than a wanna-be on the screen. The question is, would you recognize me? I've dropped 20 pounds due to my new active lifestyle.

Drop me a line when you're in town, and we'll drink cider and make out. - P.

Okay, I should insert an editorial note here. His "new active lifestyle" is waiting tables, which is what he's had to do the last year since he got laid off from a finance job.

From: Me
To: PBC
Well, then. Drink cider and make out? That's a friendly enough proposition - maybe too friendly?
Besides, what's wrong with some red wine and conversation??

20 lbs. due to your new active lifestyle is impressive. I think I should look into a new active lifestyle for myself. I'm spending a lot of time in the library these days with this pesky dissertation proposal.
Glad to see you're still your indomitable self.



SO, no more contact after that. Now fast forward two months, to this past September. Here are the texts, verbatim.

Sep 24
PC: Free tonight?
Me: Sorry, got to do some work for school. How r u?
PC: I am now standing on a booze cruise. Was hoping you were up for spontaneous samba.
Me: Booze cruise? Sounds like an exciting Wednesday.
PC: You know how I like to keep life interesting...

Oct 1
PC: Free on Friday?
Me: Is that an invitation? or simply an inquiry? To date, plans are for happy hour.

Oct 2
PC: Happy hour sounds good. When and where?
Me: You misunderstood - I have plans with friends. No boys invited! :)
PC: Me and a bunch of chicks? Sounds awesome!
(twelve hours later)
PC: Alright, no more jokes. Wanna meet after girl time? Its been way too long, and I want you to see how hot I am now.
Me: I'm happy to admire how hot you are, but it probably won't be tonight. Not sure when we'll be done so can't make any plans.
PC: That's fine. You are the tease of all teases. I have plans tonight, but I'm going to keep bugging you until you go out with me in the near future. :)

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM DEALING WITH, PEOPLE???

Nov 27
PC: Happy Thanksgiving!
Me: And to you!

Dec 3
PC: Tonight. No excuses.
Me: Funny. Like I would ever be so agreeable on demand. I need to plan ahead!
PC: You're not agreeable in advance either!
Me: Not true. I can do tmrw.
PC: No way. I don't believe you!
Me: Fine, you're on to me.
PC: I'm working til 12am tmrw at the restaurant. Wanna meet me there and then go out?
Me: Midnight?? I'm working Friday morning. Could do Sunday, I think.
PC: Sunday it is then. I'm done working at 4pm. Although you are a wimp for not meeting me tmrw.

Dec 4
PC: I'm free tonight. Or we could do Sunday, your call.

Dec 6
PC: Are we up for dinner/drinks tomorrow night?
Me: If you want. I'm going to see Alvin Ailey tmrw & will be done by 5 if you want to meet up then? Or early dinner on the UWS works too.

Dec 7
PC: I'm done with work now. Let me know if you're up for some fun tonight.
Me: I can do early dinner if you want. Have to get home in time to get stuff ready for tmrw.

PC: I'd like to meet you on the lower east side. Can I drag you down here?
Me: Absolutely not. :) I was there last night.
PC: Okay, then how about you suggest a place and I'll meet you up there.


And here we are. I was trying to be nice, and let him show off (I know I'D want to be showing off to someone if I lost 20 pounds!), catch up since it's been a year, and then move on. But I just have a feeling it's not going to be that painless. Wish me luck.