“Hey” was the entire text message. Not “hello”. No “how are you”. Just “hey”.
I gave myself permission to ignore it. To go on with my day as if I never received that message. It didn’t matter that it threw off my thought process, or that I was insanely curious of his reasoning for contacting me an entire month later.
Was this me not caring?
No. Truth is I care very deeply; not about him, but about myself. Yes I still worry about him and his well-being, but not nearly as much as I’ve chosen to care about my own. Because I am important; I’m important to me, to my kids, to my best friends. I am important to my own small piece of the world.
Was it always like this? No it wasn’t.
There was a time when my heart would leap every time the buzz went off. I’d rush to answer the text message. Then I’d wait. Wait for any answer, any response. Sometimes it would be a matter of seconds. Sometimes I wouldn’t get a response at all. I’d be left wondering what I said wrong, why he could just suddenly end the conversation like that.
However, waiting around and wondering if he would be coming over was exhausting. The only time I could count on him was when he was drunk. Then it was guaranteed he’d text, and chances were good he’d end up coming over. But he would demand all my attention. I would be guilt tripped if I was attentive to my children, not that I had the time or energy to fulfill my duties as a mom. I was too busy juggling his depression and mood swings. He was a time bomb waiting to self-destruct.
Of course, I was too. I got tired of the days wasted waiting to see if he’d contact me. I got tired of the affection behind closed doors and the coldness in public. I got tired of being treated one way to my face, and speak entirely differently of me behind my back to my friends. I got tired of the lies, the self-loathing and the hatred he made me feel towards myself.
I deserve better than that.
I deserve someone who wants to spend time with me, no matter what the results of their actions may be. Someone who cares enough to make plans in advance, but understands that those plans must be flexible. I deserve someone who will give me the truth freely without being pushed or thoroughly questioned. I deserve honesty, loyalty, and a willingness to work towards a brighter future.
I deserve undeniable love.
I deserve unquestionable attraction.
I deserve uncontrollable laughter.
I deserve street dancing, hand holding, world spinning adventures.
I deserve stability. I deserve to know that I’m not wasting my time. I deserve to be worth it.
Today I gave myself permission to ignore his text. To refuse to respond. And you know what I found?
Self respect. Freedom. Happiness. Love. Best of all, I found me.
Instead of responding, I texted my best friend. We discussed the next adventure we want to take. We talked about the clothes I just purchased to replace some of the worn out pieces in my wardrobe. We found ideas to fill the boredom between the cracks of our minds.
Instead of responding, I spent the time volunteering. My kids and I visited the pet adoption event; where they played with the puppies while I photographed the booths. We spent time singing and dancing in the car. We made videos of our goofiness on my phone.
Instead of responding, I gave myself permission to ignore his text. I gave myself permission to find myself worth just a small ounce of respect. I gave myself permission to let go of the past, to move forward without regret.
After all, “Hey” was all it said and we are never, never, ever getting back together.
Markie Jones
Latest posts by Markie Jones (see all)
- Fake it Until Surviving isn’t Enough Anymore - January 21, 2016
- You Can’t Take the Sky from Me - December 7, 2015
- If all else fails, there’s Netflix & Chill - November 18, 2015