Just a few months in the past, after faculty drop-off, I used to be strolling to seize espresso with my pals Andy and Izzy. It was a type of excellent spring mornings — birds chirping, flowers blooming — after I abruptly heard my identify: “Joanna Goddard.”
I seemed up, and there he was, standing on the sidewalk: the man I had dated for 5 years in my twenties. He reached out for a hug, and time slowed to a crawl as I took psychological inventory of my outfit (jacket, sweater, and sweatpants, blarg) and rearranged my face into what I imagined was a impartial expression (beneath).
My actual expression.
“How’s it going?” he requested, sadly wanting nice with windswept hair and a grey sweater. “Fairly good,” I replied and launched my pals. Simply then, a person walked by with a fluffy canine, and I noticed my escape hatch: I leaned all the way down to pet the canine, smiled over my shoulder, and referred to as out, “Effectively…goodbye!”
As we headed towards the café, Andy, Izzy and I resumed our earlier chat about youngsters and TV exhibits and books, and I mentally congratulated myself on being so poised and, dare I say, elegant throughout a probably awkward encounter.
Besides.
I clearly hadn’t been.
Later within the day, whereas taking a piece break, I texted Andy and Izzy to allow them to in on my massive secret. Listed here are the texts that ensued:
Me: Guys, you know the way we bumped into that man on the nook
And we mentioned hello and I hugged him
That was my ex!
At the least I wasn’t in sweats with moist hair and no make-up
Oh proper I WAS!Andy: I suspected that’s who it was!!
Izzy: I knew that was your ex!!!
He has ex written throughout him!Me: Omg hahahaha what
Did you decide up on my trapped animal vibesIzzy: 100% very a lot sure
Me: Why??? How???
Wow you guys didn’t miss a beatIzzy: That interplay might solely imply one factor
Andy: For me it was his expression
And the way in which he mentioned your first and final identifyIzzy: Sure tbh his expression learn as “We’ve undoubtedly had intercourse earlier than”
Oops, haha, I hadn’t fooled anybody. As my buddy Lina says, “Individuals are extra clear than they assume.”
What about you? The place have you ever ran into exes? Please inform me you have been smoother than I used to be.
P.S. 10 reader feedback on breakups, and seeing my physique with recent eyes.
