Life After the Unexpected

     I went to Portland this Saturday and, expecting only to catch up with good friends, now fins myself feeling very odd about the trip.
     I got to Portland in the after noon and my friend, AG, and I wandered up and down the art tents that filled congress street.  It is a very fine area, as was the Old Port, but I just don't see the allure of the city that my friends do.  At least not a city without vast amounts of scenery.  Anyways, I took some cute touristy photos, bought a Doctor Who/Star Trek comic book, a SHIELD magnet and Princess Bride magnet, had a good Black Beach smoothie, and good pizza. 
     Then the talking really began.  AG left our college town on the mends of a three year relationship and, since then, has had a few nights of fun and gotten her confidence back.  I am really proud of her for keeping on and look forward to hearing her stories.  She still hasn't gotten to settle into her own place yet, but she looks like she feels better for the change.  At some point we got to discussing our exes.  We laughed about how hers ditched his phone at a thrift store and how we both got odd new texts, which I ignored.  Turns out the guy was forty and creepy.  Mine, I discovered, has switched to Google+ over Facebook, and I had to ask if she knew anything because we have a friend reunion at a Renaissance Faire in two weeks- she thought he might be seeing someone new.  So we finished out our day and, as I started to leave Portland, I got this overwhelming feeling that I shouldn't leave before I see at least one more friend.  So I called BK and GD and drove there.
     With a place to themselves, one making bank at a lawfirm and the other living the part-time librarian dream of not having to do shelving, they seemed fine.  We chatted, swapped stories, and discovered that they knew more about my ex, whom is in fact sleeping with a "friend" whom threatened our relationship six months in.  GD's ex, whom is living with mine and one other person, still vies for her attention and will be moving to Portland in a week.  In the meantime she too is having fun, and BK is giving online dating a go.  Not for me, I have decided, because if there is forced chemistry then I could end up in another lie of a relationship.  
     I did not go to Styxx that night, unlike everyone else I ran into that day, but I did leave Portland with an appreciation for my new living situation.  Rhode Island is small, there are things to do, new people to meet, and it will be my home as much ad my roommate's.  I am ok, for one in my life, being single.  I don't feel the need to have someone while I wait for the person I rally want- whether I have will meet them someday or not, who knows?  I am just at terms with enjoying myself and being on my own schedule.  It is a wonderful feeling.  While I have a whole new bag of feelings to sift through from my two and a half year relationship- of which ended in March- I am ok that it will take time.  All scars fade eventually, right?