The Meeting

They were late, but who am I to fault them for that.  There wasn't really an agenda of things to be spoken about.  She asked if there was anything I wanted or needed to say to her.  I apologized for my lack of thinking, for my failure to tell her what was happening despite having been warned before.  She made it clear that I am not to be alone with him without her express permission, which doesn't really matter, as it's not going to happen at all.  She said she doesn't care about casual group interaction or continued friendship.

He produced a ziplock full of negatives, cut up bits of pink and blue from all three models he shot while she was away.  He allowed me to inspect them.  I did not see any shreds of myself but I was satisfied.  We signed both copies of the contract.  I offered $20 to pay for the film wasted; he refused to take more than $10.  I was given change.

She asked if we were good, if I wanted a hug or something.  I was awkward trying to figure out how to ask if that was really something she wanted to do.  She explained that she felt better about this incident than the last: this was the worst possible thing that could have happened and so much damage and regret and self-reflection came from it that she knew we were over whatever else might happen.  I think forgiveness hurt more than resentment might have.

She and I hugged, and she made fun of my shortness.  She'd been joking through most of it.  He and I hugged, that one-armed thing, and he whispered he was sorry.  We parted ways.

I walked to Starbucks to settle and think a little.  I realized it was getting close to game-on and that there was the possibility of running into them again.  I headed back to the car and left.

At home, I went to remove him from my friends and discovered I had already been blocked.  It seems that Facebook doesn't allow you to block someone who has already blocked you.  I am really uncomfortable with that.  It means that the first blocker has all the power - specifically the ability to pop up whenever they want.  But nothing is ideal.  Just means I have to be ready for it.