Jack

     Tonight I'm going out with Jack. This should be a real treat. Jack is an interesting fellow, during his four years at a comfy suburban high school he devoted his life to a christian heavy metal band. If you're thinking this is a contradiction in terms, you're not alone but it was then that he learned music was his absolute and only passion. Years have passed and that has not changed. I met him at a Halloween party I attended with my then ex-boyfriend, Jimmy. Accompanied by two of the least troubled souls at the party, Jack walked in the door. I noted his lack of costume and assumed not rebellion as he claimed, but rather laziness. I was right but it soon became apparent that he does his absolute best to possess a rebel heart. The reality is that, despite his best efforts, he's never been in real trouble and when he thought he was he still maintained his grades and responsibilities. This is a good man, as much as he'd like to be Mick Jagger. He's got dark, shoulder length hair, he regularly sports skinny jeans and keds, he plays guitar in a band (not the same high school band) and he has a cat. His odd taste in music and distinct love for independent film could have been overlooked and chalked up to a feeling of solidarity for the unappreciated and starving artists of this world, but his bicycle and feline pet define him as a true indie man.
     As the Halloween party quieted down, Jack asked for my number and, ignoring my best instincts, I obliged. I heard from him the next day and each day of the two weeks that subsequently passed. We hung out a few times and genuinely had a great time. We continued to text like normal then...nothing. For weeks. All of a sudden the phone lines went frigid cold. Like any fundamentally insane woman would, I went over every detail of our last encounter. We went to go hear some live music. It was a great band, we had a great time, flirted a lot, I made sure not to flirt with his friends and we all had a grand old time together. At the end he kissed me good night and took me home. Nothing happened, everything was peachy but I hadn't heard from him in weeks. I decided to just forget about it. Weeks later I was enjoying Thanksgiving with my family when all of a sudden, who do I hear from? Jack. He wished me a happy Thanksgiving and hoped we would talk soon. I put my phone down with no intention of writing him back, unfortunately for me I've got a nosy sister who loves to meddle. And meddle she did, she texted Jack for me. At that point, a conversation was unavoidable. After much debate, on my part, and a very believable apology, on his part, I agreed to see him again.
       Again, we went out, Again we had a great time, we talked for a while afterwards. And again, he didn't call me for weeks. This time, I don't know if mad was the right word. I could say furious. I could say a little bit amazed, offended. It was a total anomaly and I, again, decided to forget all about it. I went on with my merry life, and moved on to seeing two other guys. Then...in true Jack fashion, out of no where, I heard from the magic disappearing man. Again remorseful and contrite, he asked my forgiveness (I avoided giving him an answer to that question and just let him assume he had my forgiveness though he does not). This time citing a small but apparently now managed drinking problem as the explanation for his extended vow of silence. He asked if he could make it up to me. Now, its time for revenge.
     It isn't going to be anything fantastic, very anti-climactic actually, but the truth is I don't particularly wish to hurt this wandering, wavering soul. I simply want the date I was promised. Once I get dinner and a movie out of this guy, I'm moving on and I'm going to forget all about him. I'll continue to see the other two and I'll continue to see a band Jack once took me to see because I think they're actually great, but Jack...he may call, he may not, I won't be there to answer. So here's to you Jack, ringing my doorbell as I type, cheers to one last dance.