The One That Got Away

When I used to work in Manhattan, every single day on the train, there was this guy who always sat just a few seats away from me. And once we would get off the train, we would both walk the exact same direction to work. Exactly ten blocks after Penn Station, he would go right, and I would go left. This was our daily routine for about a month.

But it was one fateful day, that we both literally walked the entire 10 block radius, right next to each other, all the way to Penn Station. Once we finally got on the train, it was inevitable that we would start talking. "Hey, I see you on the train everyday," said the guy. And that was that. From there on out, we were inseparable for a couple of months, and shared a whole lot of other strange similarities. We not only worked one block away from each other in New York City (where eight million people live and work), but we also lived extremely close to each other in Long Island as well (he was just one stop after me on the train). He was an artist (so am I), he too lived at home and his grandmother just moved into the house (just like me), he was Ukranian (as am I), and - get this - he lived on the same street that I did! Just a couple of towns away. It was like a romantic comedy taking place on the Long Island Railroad.

I really, really liked this guy. So, of course, I wanted him to meet all of my friends. It was the night of his birthday party. He shared his birthday with a couple of his buddies, so they had a huge celebration. Heck, they even closed an entire floor of a bar in New York City! So, being the cool chick that I am, I invited all of my girlfriends, thinking it would keep me busy, keep me away from clinging onto him, and let him have his space to enjoy his party. Right?

Wrong! He was annoyed. So annoyed, that kept saying things like “Where have you been all night,” and “Well, if you didn’t bring your entourage with you...” etc. Here, I thought I was being an awesome girlfriend and giving him his "Space" but clearly, I was wrong. I was dancing with my girlfriends, when all of a sudden, one of my friends covered her mouth. “Uh, Jen, I think you should turn around,” she said. And I saw by the look on her face, I was going to be single... very, very soon.

There he was. My guy. Making out with some other chick! Our eyes met. And then continued to kiss her! What!!!!????

I was humiliated. Speechless! Every single one of my girlfriends were there to meet my new guy, and THIS happens! I even had one of my best friends there with me. My friend since I was about five years old. I had to pathetically turn to her and say "Please, don't tell your mom. Because then, she's going to tell my mom."

But at that point, I was so angry, so annoyed, so embarrassed, so... ugh! That instead of leaving all together, I just continued dancing. I know... it probably sounds like a Seinfeld episode, but I really did have a good time. I guess I realized what a piece of crap he was. And it was such a shame, too. We were so good together. All of his friends loved me. And when I told them what he did, they just said he was an idiot and I'd get over it. As I was about to leave he stopped me and asked what was the matter. I didn’t answer. I just left.

Days went by and I didn’t hear from him. The nerve of this guy. HE makes out with someone else right in front of my face, and then doesn't even have the decency to at least call! Finally, I did what I had to do. I deleted him from Facebook. A day later he texted me and asked why I deleted him. As if he didn't know! I told him why I was angry and he responded, “I did that? I don’t remember!” He claims he was wasted and really had no idea of what happened that night.

For days, he called, texted, emailed me that he was sorry. He stalked me on AIM trying to see me. But I just wouldn't have it. It was over. Oddly enough, I never saw him on the train again. Maybe he started taking a different train. Or maybe it just really wasn't meant to be. But sometimes I think about him and wonder what would have happened, if he didn't act like an idiot that night.