You have to set yourself on fire." - from Your Ex-Lover is Dead
"When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." - Dylan Thomas
Roughly seven years ago I fell in love. I didn't know it at the time. And even now...I'm not sure if I can call it that. But something happened. And I've been in love with this man for a very long time now. Even though I was with my ex-husband for a few years there. Didn't matter. There was always something about this guy. Like, if my grandchildren ever came to me and said, "Grandma, tell us about your greatest love affair" it would definitely be about this guy. Just the mere sight of him takes my breath away. Being close to him - I shake. I mumble incoherently. I literally lose myself willingly in those deep dark brown eyes. When he hugged me...forget it. To be in his arms - that has to be the definition of ecstasy. He's so handsome and so strong. I held on to him tight. As tight as possible. Until he had to leave. To go home to his girlfriend and cat.
Oh, did I forget to mention that part? Yeah, the girlfriend. I cannot get mad. While I ran off and got married to the man I thought was Mr. Right, he went on living his life. And met someone. And then I got divorced and we sort of crossed paths again. Very adulterated paths, but still paths nonetheless. And I thought I didn't care about this gf. Well until they moved in together. Look, I don't condone cheating, but let's face it. He was the one with a S.O. not me. I could do whatever I wanted. If he wanted to be unfaithful, then so be it. Secretly I wanted him to leave her. But I didn't say anything for a while. Until one day I just laid it all out there. And he didn't say anything. He sat at the edge of the bed and said nothing.
I sort of have something to say to his girlfriend. I don't know her name so I cannot address her directly. But hey you....don't be mad at him. So he slept with me. So I love him. He doesn't love me. He loves you. I know it's hard to understand. Why would he cheat, you ask, if he loved you? Well first of all, did you not notice your boyfriend is a semi sex addict? Hello. You don't have to know him seven years to figure that out. And pssst....I'm not the only one. Anyway, the reason why I say don't be mad at him is because he never loved me. He never fell into my arms and asked me how my day was. He never came over and cooked me dinner. He never came to me with the problems he couldn't talk about with you. All the things we girls want from a man...he gave me none of it. He gave me sex. Big deal. OK, it's the greatest sex I've ever had in my whole life. I just adore his body. It's so strong in some place and so soft in others. Our bodies fit together. But again, so what? He leaves me to see you and that cat. That friggin' cat. I'm jealous of you. You get to have him. Have a relationship with him (albeit maybe not a fully honest one). Share a bed with him. And probably marry him and have little cute babies with thick brown hair and wonderful full lips like his daddy.
So where was I? Oh yeah, that was all in the past. Like I said I opened my big fat mouth and told him how I felt and he barely said anything. He did make it clear it was only sex. Wow. Imagine having unrequited love, and then actually proclaiming it and then actually living the rejection; not just reading about it. I don't know. What a horrible existence. Weeks later he told me that it's over between us (via Instant Message). I guess he had some sort of revelation (engaged?) and ended it. There is a part of me that thinks (KNOWS) that he'll be back, because while he doesn't admit to loving me, I know he's having that same great sex that I'm having. And how can you stay away? Over those seven years...we still found a way back to one another. And even though I will be settling, I don't care. Just being with him is so intoxicating I'll do anything.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not proud of being the other woman. I'm not happy that I let him get away with cheating. But I loved him, you know? People in love do the craziest things. I even thought about dedicating my book to him. I don't know if I'll ever finish it though. The book, not the dedication. Maybe it would go something like this:
To SJ-
You have inspired me in so many ways. You have lit my soul on fire. And while it hurts immensely to not have you in my life, I must thank you for the times you were there. You awakened my senses. I cannot put into words how I feel about you. I don't envy the brave poets who would even dare try. No words will do it justice. I hope that when we were together my body, my eyes, my touch explained it all. I miss you terribly and while this book is fiction the way the main character feels about him, is exactly how I feel for you. Obsessed a little? Maybe. Lusted after? Definitely. Hate? Sometimes. Love? Always. No matter what happens I will always be there for you. We both know that. I will not wait. But I will always hope. I remember looking into your eyes that first time and smiling. I had no idea what I was getting myself into that blustery day on Boylston Street. And even though I've shed a million tears since then, I wouldn't change one single thing about that day and meeting you. I only wish that you would come home to me and our cat.
JM
"Live through this and you won't look back."