Mrs. Wanders and I had been dating for about three weeks, and I was very quickly falling deeply in love, when she told me over lunch that her old boyfriend was coming for a visit. They dated in high school, and had continued seeing each other during summers as undergrads. This was her first year in graduate school and my second. This was the first I was hearing about, let's call him, "Donald." I tried to be cool, but inside I was really torn up about this. He was driving through our city, and had called her to visit. I dropped out of the picture for a few days while she spent time with Donald. But inside my head I was going NUTS! My father had always told me to tell people how you feel, so I shared with a friend how I was feeling, and that I intended to tell Mrs. Wanders -- She was Miss Wanders then -- how I was feeling. My friend told me, "That's the worst thing you could do. The most unattractive emotion is jealousy. You have the total advantage here. He's leaving in a few days, you aren't. You have to play this cool." That advice was so much better than what my father would have told me (a point I remind him of to this day).
Miss Wanders had a recital on the last day of Donald's visit. She had invited us both to attend, of course, and so I sat down in the small auditorium. I turned around and saw Donald sitting a few rows behind me. Somehow, he looked so sad and so lonely. I instantly felt sorry for him because he had to leave the love of his life that evening, and might not ever see her again. I said, "Donald, come on up her and sit next to me." He did and we chatted. I got to know him. He began to probe more about my plans for the future. When he learned I hoped for an internship in Miss Wander's hometown that summer, he asked why. The reality was that I'd been planning on that internship before I'd even met Miss Wanders, I'd even planned to go there the summer before, but felt strongly to go to New York instead (to Manhattan Theatre Club, which was an awesome experience). As we talked, I could see he was so sad, and trying to appear brave. For the first time in my life, I realized, I was going to win the affections of a woman despite the efforts of a formidable rival. But it wasn't a gloating victory. Miss Wanders chose me. I still wonder why, sometimes. Not out of insecurity, but because she's so truly amazing. I guess I'm sharing all of this so that you understand I can relate with Jared in this story. The next week or so will be miserable for him. But if he keeps his cool, and supports her in this time of decision, he may come out with a chance at happiness. I know I did.
Of course, in this story, the real winner will be whoever Dawn dumps.
