Unfollowing My Ex

Ridiculous

It was hard. I admit that all previous relationships—such as they were—had not prepared me for this kind of anguish. All my scoffing at Toni Braxton’s heartfelt ballad of love and not being able to “Breathe Again” crumbled like bad cornbread made without enough liquid. Keeping things together was quite the task when I kept receiving notifications from all kinds of connections of Reed’s that I had “friended” or “liked” via social media, not to mention the fact that Reed and I had followed each other on all the platforms.

CelesteImStillAliveAndKicking @AubreySandersArchitect – Aubrey, call me, dear, when you get a chance. This little lady needs to speak with you.

janetreedflowers

@dexterreedDMV – We’re planning a night of

fun for your return! #CousinsTurnUpDMV

NationalRailConsultants

@dexterreedNRC – We are happy to announce the return of Mr. Dexter Reed to our East Coast Headquarters as Executive Vice President.

Great things ahead! #NationalRailConsultants As if the notifications were not enough, there

were the endless voicemails and texts from Reed. Unanswered, but they were there taunting me like an overpriced pair of Louboutins winking at me with all their dazzling crystals, making me think that I really needed them, when I didn’t. I couldn’t. Those messages were a luxury that my heart couldn’t afford, even if my wallet could afford the shoes.

Voicemail #1

Babe, it’s me, Reed. Call me, please. I need to

speak with you.

Text #3

Reed: Aubrey, good morning. I’m sorry. I didn’t

handle things correctly. Call me.

Voicemail #7

Aubrey, it’s me, Reed. I’m sorry. Please call me.

We need to talk.

Text #12

Reed: Aubrey, talk to me.

Voicemail #29

Aubrey, hi. They have requested that I return to the East Coast sooner than planned. I really would like to see you before I go. Please. I love you.

@@@@@

For three days, I wallowed in the sorrow of the breakup from Reed. Three days that felt like three years. I called in and asked Lisa to rearrange my schedule, so that the senior and junior associates could pick up the slack. She could hear that all wasn’t well.

Day 1

asked.

okay.”

“Aubrey, what’s wrong? What happened?” she “Nothing,” I sniffed. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not,” she firmly replied. “You are not

An hour later, my doorbell rang. I dragged

myself off of the sofa in the family room and looked out the window. A delivery guy was there with a brown bag. I opened the door.

“Delivery for Ms. Sanders,” he announced. “I didn’t order anything.”

“Umm,” he responded while looking at the attached ticked. “It says here that Lisa sent the order.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you. Wait one second so that

I…”

“Ma’am. She took care of everything.” “Well, thank you.”

I took my unexpected meal back to the family

room, picked up my phone, and sent a text to Lisa.

Me: Lisa, thank you for the meal.

Lisa: You’re welcome. Whatever it is, Aubrey, it will be all

right. Okay? Let me know if you need anything else. Me: Okay.

A notification pinged. It was Reed’s Aunt Celeste on i********:. She posted a message with a picture of heart underneath a rainbow.

CelesteImStillAliveAndKicking @AubreySandersArchitect – There’s always room for love under the rainbow!

Really? I have to deal with Reed’s messages and his elderly auntie, too? I can’t. So, I unfollowed her. Sweet as she was—I had spoken with her on the telephone many times—I just couldn’t stay in contact with her. That post had me using up a box of tissues like I was watching a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie marathon. For just a moment, hope popped up, then I pushed it back to the place where it didn’t hurt. Then came her text.

Celeste: Aubrey! I just got notified that you unfollowed me! Why? That knucklehead nephew of mine? I heard what happened. Why won’t you answer his calls and texts?

Me: Ms. Celeste, I can’t talk to him right now.

Celeste: Aubrey, give him a chance to explain. He messed up, I know. He loves you, though. I know this. Give him a chance.

Me: Thanks, Ms. Celeste, but it’s over. It has been nice

getting to know you.

Celeste: Girlie, you’re not getting rid of me that easily! I’ll

check on you on later. Bye!

@@@@@

Oh, Lord! I’ve got to keep talking to Aunt Celeste???? Help me!!!!