Can’t Lose for Winning

PB – Everybody has moments in their past that they would like to forget.  Unfortunately, many people must deal with these memories on a daily basis, but a lucky few are able to lock them away deep in the recesses of their mind and continue on with their lives as if the event never occurred…but it did!!!  And no matter how hard you try to forget it, it is always with you.  And all it takes is just one little event to fracture the barrier that you put up around it in order for this dreadful memory to be released back into existence.  I mean, it could be something as arbitrary as a familiar scent, as you walk through the streets, or a face that you just can’t place or in this case, a commercial. Even though my “incident” just happened last week, seconds into the commercial I was already overwhelmed with feelings I thought I had already come to peace with.

Last week the Redskins were playing the Bears. I’m a Skins fan (RIP Sean) and was excited to see the game. Unfortunately I don’t have the NFL Network so I was going to have to go to a bar to watch it. Luckily, my buddy Tim told me that his girl, Ingrid, had the channel. So I could it watch it over there with him. I really wanted to see the game and hadn’t hung with Tim lately so I agreed.

I arrived at Ingrid’s apartment just before game time and proceeded to concentrate on the game.  Luckily, even though Ingrid was home, she confined herself to her room during the game, except for an occasional trip to the kitchen.  But for the most part, she left Tim and I alone to enjoy the game.  Halftime arrived and even though it was a close game, the Skins were winning 7 – 0, plus Tim and I were able to enjoy it with minimal interruptions from Ingrid so everything was good…or so I thought.

Right before the second half started, Ingrid made another appearance, but this one was different than the previous ones.  Instead of just passing us on her way to and from the kitchen, she stopped and looked at the television.

Ingrid:  The game’s over? (Excited)
Tim:  No…it’s just halftime.  The second half just started.
Ingrid.  Oh.  (Then she turned and walked away dejected.)

(That can’t be good, but oh well, the second half is starting…time to focus.)

Unfortunately, only a few minutes passed before my concentration was broken by yet another visit from Ingrid.

Ingrid:  So Tim, are you going to do that thing that you said that you were going to do?
Tim:  What thing? (Confused)  After the game.  It’s still in the second half.
Ingrid:  You know…that thing…
Tim:  What are you talking about? (Still confused)
Me:  (Who cares what she is talking about?!?!!?  The game is on!!!!)
Ingrid:  You know…you promised…
Tim:  Oh. (As a look of realization and embarrassment came across his face.)

Ingrid smiled and then left.

I watched Ingrid leave and then turned and noticed that Tim still had that peculiar look on his face.  (What’s going on?!??!  Actually, I don’t even care.  At least now, I can focus on the game.)

Once again, my peace and tranquility only lasted a few minutes before Ingrid returned.  (What’s in her hand?)  Ingrid walked right past me and snuggled up next to Tim on the far end of the couch.  Ingrid had a huge smile on her face and Tim just looked at her and didn’t say anything.  (What’s going on and why does Tim look so nervous?)  Next thing that I knew, Ingrid was laying on the couch with her legs across Tim’s lap.  Now, I couldn’t even concentrate on the game anymore.  (What’s going on?)  Then, something strange happened, Ingrid handed Tim a bottle of nail polish.

Ingrid:  You promised…
Me:  (What?!?!?!  H3ll no!!!!!  I know Tim…he’s not going out like that!!!  Go ahead Tim…tell her where she can stick that nail polish!!!!)

But he said nothing.  He just turned and looked at me with this sad and guilty look …like a puppy that has just been caught doing something that it knows that it wasn’t supposed to do.  (What?!!?  You better not!!!!)  And just when I thought that things couldn’t get any worse, the unfathomable happened.  Tim unscrewed the top off of the bottle of nail polish and started painting her toe nails…with me right there!!!!!!

I don’t think that I have ever been so disgusted in my whole life!!!!  I tried to concentrate on the game but it was just too much for me to bear. The magnitude of disgust and disappointment that I had for Tim and what he had become…I can’t even explain.  Don’t get me wrong, I understand that you have to make sacrifices when you are in a relationship, but during the game…and with your boy right there…have some self-respect!!!!

I was so disturbed that I just got up and went home with like 10 minutes still left in the game. I luckily found a bar to see the Skins win 24 – 16!

But I will always remember vividly the shade of red of the nail polish and the look on Tim’s face as I left Ingrid’s apartment.  At the time, I just thought that he was saying “I’m sorry” and “goodbye, see you later”.  But now that I think that about it, I realize that he was just saying “goodbye” because he knew that I would never see him the same as before…the “old” Tim was gone forever.

I guess that the commercial did do one good thing though.  I haven’t thought about Tim in years and even though it triggered one of the worst memories of my life, it also caused me to remember the good times with the “old” Tim.  As for the memories with “new” Tim, hopefully, the rest of those stay locked away forever…

By the way, here is the commercial…