Thursday, July 31, 2008

STILL YOU DON'T REGRET A SINGLE DAY

Road construction forced me to take an alternate route home from work yesterday, so I wound up briefly on Ninth Street, and I found myself thinking I hadn't been on that street since I used to cut across it on my way to Katie's.

Which was one of the few times I'd thought of her since we broke up.

I don't mean to sound harsh; I'm genuinely confused as to why I feel this way--or more accurately, why I don't feel. Katie and I were only together for a few months, but during that time, we saw each other on a nearly daily basis. There ought to be trace elements of regret, sorrow, fleeting visions of good times shared, something, anything. Instead, there's...What? Barely a thought.

Somehow she's just receded, become a vague memory, like a movie I barely remember, just another woman among the many I've known, nothing special, nothing distinctive. She doesn't deserve that, because she was a genuinely good person, and I really did care about her.

Maybe a firm break with a lack of regret is a necessary part of the process of breaking up. Maybe such a casual dismissal is the best way to let something go, like scattering ashes to the winds. Maybe Katie never thinks of me.

But the thing is, I'm not like that. I obsess over everything, I second-guess my every action. For me to just shrug and move on is so out of character. Am I just being a heartless bastard, or have I finally learned how to deal with my pain?

6 comments:

LL said...

I think age, perspective, and experience is at play here. Letting go can be good for you.!

Edward Hegstrom said...

Maybe, but I still feel like I've lost more than I've gained...

Sudiegirl said...

It'll feel that way for a while. That whole "Time heals all wounds" is in play right now.

LL said...

One cannot move through life without accumulating losses....unless you just sit in your room and isolate yourself. But that's a whole new ballgame of loss in itself...

scottnmarcie said...

I'm going with "Heartless Bastard". ;)

Edward Hegstrom said...

Well, that works, too.