Ever Do That Thing Where You Fall In Love With the Wrong Person?

Like, Twice?

Dr. Anita
4 min readSep 9, 2023
Image by Dennis M. White on Flickr

The three us us were on a blanket, having a picnic dinner in Joshua Tree. We were at a retreat.

Steve was my boyfriend. You were my new love interest.

We had made your acquaintance that afternoon at the pool.

I watched you from the outdoor shower as you emerged from the men’s dressing room.

I saw you seize up the situation of a mostly vacant area and plop your stuff down two lounge chairs away from Steve. In that whole, empty pool-scape, you chose to be near him.

I wondered.

Stevel did have a nice body. I was drawn to it as well.

You had my attention even before you “chose” Steve. A triad of a slight limp, hint of pudgy love handles clinging to your sides, and a messy, sculpted hair-cut — you seemed interesting. But, mostly tired.

Like me.

I gave you a minute to be near Steve’s near-naked body, alone. Then I came over, the proud girlfriend. I sidled into a lounge chair near Steve. I pretended you didn’t exist.

I read my book as I read you.

One of us said something.

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Dr. Anita

Doctor by trade; artist at heart. Musings on life. Enjoy inserting humor ‘n hope into the pain. Quiet is scarce in this day and age; reaching for it.