Tales Of Game Planning Break Ups

Day 18 of The Andie Chronicles

Butcher’s paper. Check.

Big fat-coloured markers. Check. 

Vodka. Check. 

Everything was ready for our usual Thursday night meeting with James, GG, Sophia, and me. 

Normally we talked about how Highway, our unisex fashion line, was coming along. But tonight James insisted we rework the agenda to work on pending matters; my break up.

Once James told me he knew Douglas was going to break up with me, I asked how. 

It wasn’t like he had a personal, deep relationship with my boyfriend, enough that he would have confided his plans with him. And he didn’t say he had a hunch as I did. 

He said he knew. 

Tell me, I begged him. Tell me. 

I’m a thirty-five-year-old woman. You don’t need to mollify this like we were in school and you are the parent. This isn’t gossip. This was information about my very real, very grown-up life. 

Tell me.

James didn’t hold back when he told me how he came across the information. 

After my birthday dinner, Douglas told his brother Taylor that he was ending it with me. But he had to find the right timing. 

Of course, Taylor told his girlfriend, GG. And the other night, GG told James. Why GG didn’t tell me directly was baffling, but I understand. She was in the middle. Telling James would sort that problem out.

This wasn’t a flow of information I wanted my friends to continue around me. Yet, as a once-off, I could forgive it.

I didn’t get upset. I thought I should but there were no tears, not even a hint of tears. 

I couldn’t bring myself to feel even the slightest bit sad about the situation. 

“James, this is brilliant.” When I said this to him, he looked shocked. It was almost like he was ready with a box of tissues, he assumed the worst, But I went on to explain.