Monday, March 30, 2009
the stories
See, if you think back, really hard, you might vaguely remember aPlatonic guy pal who always seemed to want to spend time with
you. He'd tag along with you when you went shopping, stop by
your place for a movie when you were lonely but didn't feel like
going out, or even sit there and hold you while you sobbed and
told him about how horribly the (other) guy that you were f***ing
treated you.
At the time, you probably joked with your girlfriends about how he
was a little puppy dog, always following you around, trying to do
things to get you to pay attention to him. They probably teased
you because they thought he had a crush on you. Given that his
behavior was, admittedly, a little pathetic, you vehemently denied
having any romantic feelings for him, and buttressed your position
by claiming that you were "just friends." Besides, he totally wasn't
your type. I mean, he was a little too short, or too bald, or too fat,
or too poor, or didn't know how to dress himself, or basically be
or do any of the things that your tall, good-looking, fit, rich,
stylish boyfriend at the time pulled off with such ease.
You ignored the nice guy. You used him for emotional intimacy
without reciprocating, in kind, with physical intimacy.
You laughed at his consideration and resented his devotion.
You valued the aloof boyfriend more than the attentive "just-a-" friend.
Eventually, he took the hint and moved on with his life.
He probably came to realize, one day, that women aren't really
attracted to guys who hold doors open; or make dinners just because;
or buy you a Christmas gift that you mentioned, in passing,
that you really wanted five months ago; or listen when you're upset;
or hold you when you cry. He came to realize that, if he wanted a woman
like you, he'd have to act more like the boyfriend that you had. He probably
cleaned up his look, started making some money, and generally acted like more
of an asshole than he ever wanted to be.
3/30/2009 08:50:00 PM
