Eric

By the time Veronica reached her small condominium she had once again convinced herself that she had made the right decision. As she took off her make up and put on her comfy pjs Veronica kept reassuring herself and the decision she made. Honestly, nobody could really say how long this relationship could have lasted. The most likely outcome would be that he would dump her at some point. The chances of Eric being the one are slim to none, right? Once she was in her comfy pjs she decided to sit down and write Eric a text. She had done this so many times before she practically had it memorized. Just a simple text for Eric letting him know that the chemistry they had a month ago was just not there anymore. Suddenly, she got a text from Eric. Veronica assumed that the text was going to be Eric asking if she was okay or asking if he had done something wrong, just like the rest of her other dates had done before. The text instead read:

I wish I could say I had a lovely time tonight, but of course you cut that short. Since you couldn’t find the courage to even finish our second date I feel I owe you nothing. Unlike you I will be honest and let you know that our friendship ends here. Have a nice life!

Veronica was left speechless. No man had ever been this angry with her. Though, if truth be told she always wondered why nobody had ever reacted like Eric. She wondered if they just weren’t as interested in her as she thought they were. Veronica sat on her couch thinking of how to best maneuver this, on the one hand she could just thank her lucky stars and tell Eric she completely understood. But the truth is Eric had now made an impact unlike the rest of the men she had dated and dumped. After some more thinking Veronica decided that any response to his text would seem as if she cared and she wanted him out of her life anyway. That was the original plan. Veronica deleted Eric’s number and went to sleep. But somewhere around midnight she had a change of mind. But Eric’s number was gone along with all the texts. She wished she had screenshot the last text since it was somehow special. The next morning she awoke to a text from an unknown number that said:

Really? You’re not going to respond?

It was Eric again. Veronica couldn’t help but smile a little. He was insistent. It’s funny but when they were dating he never showed he was this dedicated. He acted like every other guy she had met, working, traveling, going out with friends, that sort of cookie cutter lifestyle which Veronica found boring. But this Eric seemed a little hung up on her, a little demanding even. She liked that. Veronica decided she would keep his number. In fact, she quickly decided to text him back.

You told me to have a nice life! I thought that meant to leave you alone???

Veronica could see that Eric had read her message and was now typing. As she fixed her coffee she awaited for a response. She couldn’t help but feel giddy about this turn of events.

When I sent that text I was a bit...emotional. A bit sore and bitter. I can’t help but feel as though I have been duped. We chat for a month, share intimate personal stories with each other and then you show me the best of yourself on our first date only to show me the worst on the next. What gives? What game are you playing?

This text bothered Veronica. Not because he was basically calling her a player but because he was actually spot on. It was true. He had figured out her pattern. Veronica was an expert on seducing a man and making him fall for her but once that happened she lost all attraction to them. Still, she didn’t want him to know her truth. She decided to keep playing the game.

Eric, I am so confused. Last night, I got sick. Then I come home to a text from you telling me to have a nice life. As if I made up the whole thing. I don’t know what kind of woman you think I am or what kind of women you have dated but as far as I’m concerned we were having a nice time until I got sick.

Veronica knew it was wrong to lie but honesty in this case would make her look so bad. A coward, like Eric said. She couldn’t let him know that. Or anyone for that matter. Veronica had always relied on what people assumed out of her. Also the fact that there are no guarantees when it comes to love, so she could play the game as long as she wanted and her partners couldn’t really say anything but instead accept her rejection and disappear from her life. Veronica often thought about how lucky she had been to not run into a stalker or vengeful man. This new twist was new territory for Veronica. She was unsure of how to play this but for the meantime she couldn’t back down on the getting sick story. Finally, Eric responded. It took a long while, Veronica was doing the finishing touches on her make up and getting ready to step out the door.

I’m so sorry if I got it wrong. It’s just that last night, at the gas station you had a look in your eyes. Like you were lying, and I don’t do well with lying Veronica. So please, this time just be honest with me. Did you get sick or were you just trying to escape from our date?

Veronica grabbed her bag and headed for the car. She had to admit Eric was surprising her. This guy was not only direct and honest but he was also very perceptive. Essentially he was giving her a chance to be honest and answer his question. She decided she couldn’t answer his question, at least not yet. Instead she quickly thought up another option. Veronica would ask him out on a third or technically second-second date again.This way she wouldn’t look like a bad person while leaving the ball in his court. She texted:

How about we talk about it over dinner? No, movie popcorn this time. Are you free tonight?