Anywhere But Here
“Jana, I understand why you’re angry. I should have called you before I changed my webpage. Better yet, we should have resolved things between us before I moved to Columbia. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I realize that. I’m sorry.”
Jana relaxed. “It will be difficult, but I’m willing to work this out if you are. I’m off until June 1st. Do you want me to come up there next week?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Darren said. “I meant we should have decided on the status of our relationship before I moved. I think we need to take a break …”
“I’m supposed to accept putting our relationship on hold while you sleep with someone else and decide if I’m good enough for your new life?”
“It's not like that. You can date other people too,” Darren said. “In fact, I think you should.”
“So you’re breaking up with me?”
“No, I’m saying let’s see other people and keep the option of getting back together open.”
Jana sighed. “Maybe I’ve changed, but so have you. You used to understand that relationships are exclusive. When did you get so liberal?”
Darren laughed. “Liberal? Come on, Jana. Lighten up.”
“Lighten up? We’re college graduates. It’s time to buckle down.”
“You sound like my parents.”
“You sound like you don’t know what you want.”
“I don’t!” Darren said.
"You used to,” Jana said. “An open relationship isn’t going to work for me. You know I’m not that kind of person. I didn’t think you were either. So you have to choose. Me or Sophie.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Starting a new relationship while you’re still in the old one isn’t fair,” Jana said. “I believe that’s called cheating. I can’t believe you’ve done this to me, but we’ve been together a long time and I’m willing to chalk this up to immaturity if you’re willing to walk out of her apartment right now and never go back.”
“Jana…”
“What’s it going to be, Darren? The lady or the tramp?”
“Fine, it’s over.”
“What?”
“You’re right,” Darren said, “and so am I. We’re going in separate directions and it’s time to move on.”
Jana fought back tears again. “So that’s it?”
“That’s it.”
A four year relationship was over, just like that. They exchanged the usual post breakup pleasantries – don’t be a stranger, take care, if you find any of my stuff please send it back – and hung up.
Jana pulled the letter from the university out of the top drawer of her desk and stared at the words that ruined her life:
Dear Ms. Lanning:
We regret to inform you that your application to the masters of business administration program has been rejected for the fall semester. Although you have outstanding credentials, there are a limited number of openings and your application did not demonstrate adequate academic sufficiency
for our program. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Jana stared out the window at the rain soaked day and slumped against the wall. This letter had been the beginning of the end for her. So much for her hopes and dreams for the future. At twenty two, she felt like her life was already over.
Jana relaxed. “It will be difficult, but I’m willing to work this out if you are. I’m off until June 1st. Do you want me to come up there next week?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Darren said. “I meant we should have decided on the status of our relationship before I moved. I think we need to take a break …”
“I’m supposed to accept putting our relationship on hold while you sleep with someone else and decide if I’m good enough for your new life?”
“It's not like that. You can date other people too,” Darren said. “In fact, I think you should.”
“So you’re breaking up with me?”
“No, I’m saying let’s see other people and keep the option of getting back together open.”
Jana sighed. “Maybe I’ve changed, but so have you. You used to understand that relationships are exclusive. When did you get so liberal?”
Darren laughed. “Liberal? Come on, Jana. Lighten up.”
“Lighten up? We’re college graduates. It’s time to buckle down.”
“You sound like my parents.”
“You sound like you don’t know what you want.”
“I don’t!” Darren said.
"You used to,” Jana said. “An open relationship isn’t going to work for me. You know I’m not that kind of person. I didn’t think you were either. So you have to choose. Me or Sophie.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Starting a new relationship while you’re still in the old one isn’t fair,” Jana said. “I believe that’s called cheating. I can’t believe you’ve done this to me, but we’ve been together a long time and I’m willing to chalk this up to immaturity if you’re willing to walk out of her apartment right now and never go back.”
“Jana…”
“What’s it going to be, Darren? The lady or the tramp?”
“Fine, it’s over.”
“What?”
“You’re right,” Darren said, “and so am I. We’re going in separate directions and it’s time to move on.”
Jana fought back tears again. “So that’s it?”
“That’s it.”
A four year relationship was over, just like that. They exchanged the usual post breakup pleasantries – don’t be a stranger, take care, if you find any of my stuff please send it back – and hung up.
Jana pulled the letter from the university out of the top drawer of her desk and stared at the words that ruined her life:
Dear Ms. Lanning:
We regret to inform you that your application to the masters of business administration program has been rejected for the fall semester. Although you have outstanding credentials, there are a limited number of openings and your application did not demonstrate adequate academic sufficiency
for our program. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Jana stared out the window at the rain soaked day and slumped against the wall. This letter had been the beginning of the end for her. So much for her hopes and dreams for the future. At twenty two, she felt like her life was already over.
