Wrong Number

Unknown: Hey.

Gabi: Hey back. Who is this?

Unknown: I'm Angi.

Gabi: Angi who?

Picture accompanies the following message. The picture is of a 20-something young woman with long, shiny hair. She is wearing a tight tank top, and there's a filter on the photo that softens the slightly hard look in Angi's eyes.

Unknown: Who is this?

Gabi: Gabriella.

Angi: Oh. I thought I was texting Charlie.

Gabi: Guess not. You have me. Sorry. Who's Charlie?

Angi: Charlie? He's no one. Well, he's someone. He used to be someone special, but now…now he's someone I avoid. I'm not too proud to admit I was a terrible partner. I was happy being a terrible partner, and he was happy trying to meet my unrealistic demands.

Gabi: Why are you texting him now? Isn't he part of the past?

Angi: I heard he was getting married, and I wanted to see him one last time. I think I just wanted to close the door on that part of my life for good.

Gabi: The door is still open? When is the last time you saw each other?

Angi: We saw each other maybe six months ago. We went to brunch.

Gabi: How did that go? Did anything happen between you? Any proclamations of love or anything?

Angi: We had brunch, stilted conversation. We went our separate ways afterward.

Gabi: You said earlier that Charlie is someone you avoid…

Angi: When we broke up, it was difficult for him. He kept hanging around. I'd see him outside my work or in bars he knew I went to. Stuff like that.

Gabi: When was the last time the two of you hooked up?

Angi: Maybe a year ago? That was the last time we made out. It was probably 6 months before that the last time we'd had sex. Then he met someone.

Gabi: OK. Why are you avoiding Charlie?

Angi: Because he's happy. He's moved on. He has someone…and I don't.

Gabi: So…you haven't moved on then?

Angi: I guess not.

Gabi: Does he know you haven't moved on or that you're still hung up on him?

Angi: I don't know. Our breakup wasn't good. I was a bitch to him.

Gabi: How long ago did you 2 split up?

Angi: 2 years ago

Gabi: When did he start dating the woman he's marrying?

Angi: A year ago, I think. We made out for the last time right before he met her. He's a great guy. He's not a cheater.

Gabi: This is such a dumb question, but…you're avoiding him because he's happy, moved on from you and your relationship…why are you reaching out to him now…especially since you've heard he's getting married?

Angi: I don't know. I think I just wanted to see how committed he is to his new relationship. I think I wondered if the door is truly shut.

Gabi: What would you do if the door weren't completely closed? Would you make a play to get him back?

Angi: You know how you don't know what you have until it's gone?

Gabi: You had a whole year to make a play for him before he met his fiancee. I think you just want what you can't have. You didn't answer my question, though. Would you make a play to get him back if the door weren't completely closed?

Angi: I'd like to see him with his fiancee. That would tell me if the door were totally open or closed. If there's even just a crack in the door, then I think I would make a play.

Gabi: He's getting married. Don't you think that means the door is closed? He committed to another woman after being broken up with you. The two of you haven't been together in over a year. Since that time he met, dated, fell in love, proposed, and is planning a wedding. In all that time, the 2 of you had brunch once. When was the last time he called you?

Angi: He called me to set up brunch? Nope. That's not right. I called him. I don't think he's called me since we split up. I dumped him, and I think it left some bruises on his heart and ego.

Gabi: Why did you dump him?

Angi: I was too immature to be in a committed relationship. Charlie was too wonderful. He was kind, thoughtful, sweet, decent kisser, good in bed. It was too much for me at the time. He wasn't a challenge. Things were too easy, I guess.

Gabi: How did you hear about Charlie getting married?

Angi: Mutual friend mentioned it.

Gabi: What if you'd never heard about it? Would you be reaching out to him now anyway?

Angi: Probably not. I think when our friend told me, it just put Charlie front and center on my radar.

Gabi: So you thought you'd text him, and then what?

Angi: I don't know. I guess I hoped he'd tell me all about his fiancee, and then I'd know I could never measure up. Or maybe I thought there'd be a crack in the armor, and I could talk him into giving us another shot.

Angi: I think I was hoping he would give us a second shot. I think I blew any chance of that when I dumped him

Gabi: I think you did, too.

Angi: Really? Why?

Gabi: Well. He's moved on. Haven't you dated anyone since you two broke up?

Angi: I have, but it didn't work out.

Gabi: Charlie can't be your fall back guy. You probably hurt him pretty deeply when you dumped him. He doesn't want to be your consolation prize. No one wants to be a consolation prize. Would you?

Angi: Oh.

Gabi: See. If things had worked out with one of those other guys you dated, you wouldn't be giving Charlie a second thought, would you?

Angi: Probably not. I'm a bitch for texting him, aren't I?

Gabi: Kinda, yeah.

Angi: Ouch

Gabi: Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer. The truth hurts, though, doesn't it? I think the window of opportunity for you closed right after his met his fiancee. The last time you 2 kissed? That was your last chance. If you had wanted any kind of relationship, or if he had—that was the time. Since nothing happened after the episode, the window closed

Angi: You think?

Gabi: I know. What if some old girlfriend were calling or texting your boyfriend? How would you feel?

Angi: I'd be pissed. I guess I'm glad I reached out to Charlie today and got you instead. He must have had his number reassigned and gotten a new number.

Gabi: I hate to tell you. He didn't have the number reassigned, and he's sitting next to me. He was going to blow off your text, but I wanted to have a chat with you and make it very clear that you need to move on.

Angi: Well, thank you anyway. Whether or not you meant to help me, I'm grateful. Embarrassed, for sure, but grateful.

Gabi: I'm going to block your number, but (sincerely) I wish you the best of luck.