Living in One Place for Too Long

Anyhow, when I was just turning 30 and doing a zillion sit-ups at the gym during lunch hour one day, a 22-year old boy on the bench next to me said, mid-sit up and with a wink and an asthmatic wheeze: "Do you always work out 90 miles an hour?"

That was the beginning of a two-week romance that ended when the tallish gal with long, curly hair sauntered in, leaned against the wall while waiting for the step class at 7:00 p.m., swung her hair in his direction, and gave him the same wink he gave me a week or so before, while applying a fresh stroke of lip gloss.

At any rate. That boy was taking bartending class while we knew each other and when he came over to my tiny apartment one evening and he asked, "Can I fix you a drink?" I answered with a swerve of the hip: "I'll have a gin and tonic, of course."

"Great! Can I have a spoon so I can stir it?"

Talk about a quick end to the romance.

Fast-forward 13 years. Girlfriend's in "private" preschool three days a week:

One morning a few weeks ago, I'm signing her in and I see HIS name above what must be his daughter's name. HIS name. And it turns out his daughter is in Girlfriend's class. PLUS, it turns out he ended up marrying the cute leaning-gal, but is now in the midst of a divorce, AND, from what Girlfriend's teacher tells me, he has a fifth child (four from his marriage to the the curly haired disco step class taker), a love-child with a lover who has frizz-bomb hair, a skinny bottom, and well, I've spoken to her a few times, and I like her.

I like her a lot.

Do I tell her I know her boyfriend?

And kismet above all kismet's: We're walking out this evening, taking our children home, and she's holding his daughter's hand, and her own son's--the hand of the boy my daughter is in love with, and talks about all the time...

So, she turns to me--the Girlfriend of the two-week Boyfriend says to me--"I overheard you saying to the teacher that you had your in-laws in town?"

"Yes, I do," I say, "but they're in search of snow for skiing, which is good. And you know, that could take a week or more in these parts."

"In-laws," she said. "That is exactly why my boyfriend ended up divorcing his wife."

"...From what I understand, they'd come to visit for a month or two at a time, bring along their three big dogs, and sit and watch football for hours on end. My boyfriend, he likes the football like most guys do, but his asthma acted up like all get out, and the dogs--they just had to go--and the in-laws, they didn't take to the news too well."

On knitting news: The Garter Belt Design team has just released their Winter Newsletter. In it, you'll find three free quickie scarf patterns, as well as the hat and scarf pattern I showed off a few days ago, Natty (pictured above). You'll find a couple articles on holiday and scarf knitting, too.

We are also happy to welcome a new member, Rebecca Hatcher, whose designs have been included in the pages of Knitty. You can download the newsletter and the patterns, here.

P.S. The yarn I used for the hat and scarf WAS on sale at Elann.com for under three bucks a ball. Looks like the sold out...

Comments

[fitknit]

I would wait to see if he remembers you! After all, 13 years (& 6 kids between you) is a long, loooooong, time. And he did ask for a spoon.

[Cynthia]

Thanks for the link! I want to make Natty as a gift if I can get my act together. Hope the in-laws go skiing for quite a while!

[Christine]

Wendy, am I being crazy? I don't see the yarn at elann. I did a search for tweed and it wasn't the same yarn you used.

[Kathy]

I read you every day. Well, every day that you have a new story up. I love your tales; never didactic nor smug! I love this story.

(And the patterns, too!)

[Sanjaa]

Hi Wendy,
I have been waiting for you to post this pattern for a long time. If I ever get this knitted the set (I am still a beginner) I will send you the pictures.
I love the tales of your live, and the in-law scenario I can relate to, as I am living with mine (temporary, untill we can move out). I love reading your blog, you always make my day!

[Jennifer-jcyarns]

For a minute there I forgot this was a knitting blog. I can hear Cher now, "Snap out of it!" But I do so love listening to dish, so please, when you find out more let us know!!!! Very interesting sometimes how peoples lives turn out....

[KeanaLee]

OH I can't wait to see what happens when you see him again, which I am ure will happen... I was 29 years old when I met my husband who was 22 and still in college, just think thing could of turned out differently, how weird would that be.

[Inky]

You never know what paths will cross - just make sure you lip gloss is on straight :)

great story, cant't wait to find out if he remembers you.

[JulieT]

I grew up in a small town like that. It freaks me out. I moved away as soon as possible. You're right. You've been there too long. hahah.

[Knitting Nettie]

And I thought my life in a small mountain was the only place you could have this kind of fun....:-)

[Sherri]

OMG - I can so relate to everything in your life - lmao!! I seriously feel for you chic!!! Hey, what's the scoop with Zib? She has seemed to vanish from the planet .....

[laurie]

if i didn't know you better, i'd think you just make up all these great stories....shoot! i don't really even know you...but i know you don't make them up!

[meg]

fab story. can't wait to hear how it pans out.

love the scarf and hat.

[Mary Lynn]

dontcha just love this kind of thing.

[Sahara]

That small world stuff is always happening to me! You are such a good writer Wendy. Knitting and writing! You are an inspiration to me. Oh, and I finally get to knit from one of your patterns! I will knit Le Slouch and I'll send a picture. Now to just find that yarn locally... I hope to have just a fraction of your talent(s) one day!

[Catherine]

Hi - many thanks for the hat and scarf patterns! I've been looking forward to seeing them. Also, thanks for writing such an entertaining blog!

[katie]

haha, funny stuff.. sometimes you just can't make this stuff up. thanks!

[victoria]

YES! YES! Of COURSE you tell her you know her BF. (The *dogs* were why he divorced his wife? And not the illicit love child with his lady-friend on the side? Huh. Must be some pretty bad asthma.)

[Nery]

Wendy...your story is too funny! I LUV this pattern. I have to find the yarn!!!!

[jillian]

Wow. How uncomfortable.

And woot! Lovaly scarf and hat pattern!

[Miss Scarlett]

Perfect title for this post!

[keohinani]

it's worse when you put up a pic of yourself with a guy you've taken to and random women comment "been there, done that." ouch x infinity.
out here, that's not uncommon - the whole finding out your kid is going to school with someone you used to date, or meeting the current beau of an old, ephemeral flame.
i want to get out of the dating pool already...or at least find my way into an ocean where i'm the one who'd be considered the pirahna.

[Leslie]

My...your young man has certainly been busy!

[Katinka]

LOL, that's why my info on the alumni page of my alma mater's website is incredibly out-of-date. I'd rather not have a way for old boyfriends to get in touch, thank you very much. :P

Thanks for the great patterns!

[Deborah Eichel]

You need to read-up on the concept of synchronicity, if you haven't already. The more you're open to the idea, the more you will find it--or rather, it will find you. Very interesting story. I love the hat and scarf. Thank you!