Of course there is.
It started badly, turned worse
and hinted at becoming ruinous.
― Grace Draven
Measuring out life with coffee spoons
The day after the night before is usually marked by a hangover, but this was a morning after that was more emotional than physical.
I realized being in a pub with Greg was a mistake—it reminded me too much of my past and I didn't want to be reminded, let alone relive it.
Watching him chat up some chick named Scarlett was like watching a highlight reel of the way I was back in the day and believe me, it wasn't pretty.
I'd much rather experience the crapulence of hugging a toilet bowl while throwing up then face the me I once was.
That's why I fled from Kitty and why the shakes I was now experiencing were more related to anxiety than over-indulging in alcohol.
But drinking coffee was only adding to my tremors and depression.
And while I was pondering that thought my cell rings and I can see it's Greg.
I don't want to replay this nightmare, I groan, but he'll keep phoning until I pick up, so I might as well get it over with and try to put it behind me.
With much misgiving, I answer.
"So, you got home okay," he says, "I was worried about you."
"No need to trouble yourself about my hangups—I told you I was damaged goods and now you've seen it."
"Look, I know Cassie did a number on you, but Guy, ditching a hot chick like Kitty―what's got into you? I get that you're reformed, but do you have to aim for sainthood?"
"I've been burnt, Greg—I just can't do the dating thing right now. Sorry if I embarrassed you."
He gives a sarcastic snort.
"I wasn't embarrassed, Pal—well, maybe for you. Kitty came back and was upset and some strange girl came by who saw what happened and asked if she was all right."
"Great, just great!" I groan. "She comes onto me and I look like the bad guy."
"You're saying Kitty came onto you?"
"Yeah, I think I was her project for the night. I tried to tell her I was fine but she insisted on joining me and then began asking questions about why I wasn't meeting chicks."
There was a long pause on the line and and then he asked quietly. "You didn't tell her about Cassie did you?"
"I didn't go on about the details of the breakup—she put two and two together and got five. I felt it was a pity move to cheer me up. I think she's the type who has a weakness for strays."
"God, Jim, the chick's gorgeous—I'll bet every guy in the bar was envious of you sitting with her."
"Yeah, probably—but I told her I was a dead end street and to move on, but she didn't. She surprised me at the exit doors and kissed me. I told her I was sorry but couldn't do this and left and then, I saw that two other girls witnessed the whole thing. That was embarrassing."
"Yeah, it was...especially when the one girl came by the table to console Kitty because she was so upset."
"What the hell!" I growled in exasperation. "I warned the chick to back off and she didn't. Why am I the bad guy here?"
"I'm not saying you are. I believe you, but..."
"But what?" I asked, my voice rising in frustration.
"It looked really bad, Jim. A girl like Kitty just doesn't get turned down. You looked like the villain. I had to persuade Scarlett you were having a bad night. It might help if you went back and patched things up with Kitty."
I felt I was going mad. This whole situation was insane.
"Let me break it to you, Greg—I did nothing wrong and I have no intention of going back to that pub or ever seeing Kitty again."
"Okay, Man—I can see you're upset. I just want to drop by your house and give you back your credit card."
"Sure, I'm here all morning. Just drop by anytime before noon."
I wasn't convinced Greg bought my story, but didn't want to belabour it by further arguing.
The pub night fiasco turned into a nightmare and rehashing it could only make it worse.
I realized Scarlett would side with Kitty and hate my guts and Greg would share her offence because he wanted to continue seeing her...
The whole situation was totally bogus and whacked.
I might be able to put out the fire by seeing Kitty and apologizing, but then again it might fan an ember and make it worse.
Just when you think things are bad enough, Fate sometimes steps in and makes them worse.
No, Kitty would have to remain a bad memory, even if it meant losing Greg as a friend...
Yeah, the cost of trying to be authentic is high, especially in a world that's often bent.