The TrueBlue Stages Of Not Dating PT 3

Which brings us to Stage Four: Somewhere around the end of year three the beginning of year four you will begin to hear this question: “Don’t you get lonely?” Yes. You will. And not just once. People will ask you this repeatedly. 
 I’m not sure why. I don’t know if people think that I’m lying or are just trying to wear me down. Yeah. I get lonely. But it’s like every other feeling, it passes.”

Tessa hears a voice from the audience say, “Hunger is a feeling too. It passes, but if you ignore it, it keeps returning. Stronger and more insistent each time it returns.”

She thinks about her answer and grins. “Yes. When my “hunger” is strong enough and the right candy bar, pie, or roast beef sandwich is in front of me I will...”

Tessa stopped typing and wondered if she was using the appropriate analogy for this topic. Her phone buzzed.

That’s good. Keep it going. --Chty.

“How do you know it’s good?” Tessa asked the phone.

Your laptop is connected into our system. We can read what you’re writing after every ‘save.’

“Oh.”

Keep going.

She looks at her audience. “feast. When that happens, I will feast. Unfortunately, I have yet to encounter a meal where both parties, food and eater of food… this is just getting weird, I’ll finish saying it anyway. Where both parties involved have the same interest in one another.

 The ‘No thanks, I’m not hungry at the moment’ explanation works for about a year. Hopefully by then you’ve seen a candy bar that you can’t live without and is as into you as you are into it.

 Stage Five: Stage five is embarrassing. Sometime during year five, people are going to take the time to count how long it has been since you have actually been part of a couple. Eventually someone is going to ask, 'What is wrong with you exactly? Do you have a disease or something?'"

Tessa’s audience goes quiet.

“I have several answers for this question. Sometimes I like to hint that there are voices in my head that tell me to do things that make boyfriends disappear which is kind of fun. A little bit dark, but fun. Saying that I’m only on planet Earth because my alien race is preparing to attack and I’m collecting intel is also a good one. Then there’s short and rude. ‘Yes I have a disease and it’s called taste.’”

"That was a bit harsh." Tessa muttered to herself.

No that was funny. Keep going. --Brad

“When you say that, usually the person that you say it to never speaks to you again so use that answer carefully.

Stage Six: This is the stage when someone asks you, 'Isn’t It Selfish Not To Date?'”

Tessa weaves in and out among the occupied tables and chairs.

“I never understood that question. If anyone ever figures out what is selfish about not dating please let me know.

Here we are at Stage 7: This is when you're asked, ‘What was wrong with you again?’ 
 Because people are deeply curious at this point. Are you going through a major trauma? Are you confused sexually? Have you switched teams? No, No and NO. They have to ask again because there is also always the chance that you lied about not having issues the first time.

Keep in mind that after several years alone, being subjected to uncomfortable questions at regular intervals, watching other people as they meet someone, date them, fall in love and move into a committed relationship you may begin to question if something is actually wrong with you. After all, how can so many friends, loved ones, and random acquaintances be wrong?”

So, is there something wrong with you? Chrty texted. JK

You’d better be. 
 

“The honest truth about being single for over five years...”

“It sounds more like seven.” A voice calls out.

“...the truth is that there is good and there is bad. There are fun times and dark days. Some days you may find yourself asking, 'Why not me? Why not right now?' On other days you will feel like you’re still looking for the roast beef sandwich that...hits the spot. The fact is, that as long as you’re okay with things the way that they are, then they're okay. You’re okay. Everything is okay.
Don't worry. Eventually...you’ll get that sandwich.

Remember, it’s okay to enjoy what you’ve got right now. Someday soon there will be probably be snoring in your ear at two in the morning when all you want is silence so you can sleep.
   For the moment, Amant Autem, love the now, folks. Love the now.”

Nice work Tessa! --Chrty

Run a spell check and send it as a secure e-mail. We’ll take it from here. --Brad.

(Cough-cough) --Chrty.

Oh and...nice work--Brad.

Tessa did as instructed then she sat back on the couch, took a moment, and looked around her apartment. Her eyes stopped at one of her favorite pictures. An old tournament photo from her father’s college days. She leaned into the picture and said, “They liked it Dad. They liked my story.” The image in the picture moved. She watched as her father inhaled briefly, smoke seeped out of each nostril, joining ends to create the shape of a heart. Tessa smiled. “I love you too Dad. Hug Mom for me.”