Everything's Complex, There's Nothing Simple, When I'm Not Around You
In other words: Tylere called.
He got the package I sent him, and it was the first piece of mail he has received since being in England from the first of January.
*All you who know him should be ashamed of yourself!*
I loved how he said, "I showed everybody what you sent, and I had to explain some of the jokes so they would understand." Like the note about definistrating an Italian whore named Michaela (emofaerie gets it, but she's well-read).
He left me three messages, too, which of course I've saved. Like everything else. Saving it. All. The cool-factor there was he didn't say "this is Tylere" he just started right in with "why the hell aren't you picking up your phone?" He didn't sign my birthday card last year either. I was just supposed to know.
Just to clarify the weight of this gesture, I would like to establish that I've known Tylere for three years and this is the third time he's called me. We used to live blocks away from each other and saw each other every day, so he always figured he'd "wait till he saw me" instead of ever picking up the phone. He'd email once in a while, but never a call. The last time he called was about a year ago when I was depressed and violently ill from a combination of Jager and red wine. The time before that was about a year earlier. There were even times he would get his roommate to call and invite me somewhere instead of calling me himself.
I have no reason to believe that he will ever love me in return. He's this great friend who loves being my friend and knows he'll never have another friend like me again, but he also knows I'll not live within five hundred miles of him in the foreseeable future.
He's not the kind of person I could ever "date".
This is why I attempt "dating" sometimes.
Tylere's always given good encouragement during these times, but he's too practical, calculating, and collected to ever suggest he take care of me. His reasons for not accepting me when I offered my love were ones of "not being at the same place" and the like. Good reasons.
For whatever reason, though, year after year my craving for him has not diminished. Instead it grows.
I'm either the greatest fool, or we'll end up like those couples in the beginning of When Harry Met Sally.
Anyway, he said he needed to see me soon, if only to give me my presents. I was a little shocked; "you bought me presents?" He chuckled, "yeah."
He told me to not be surprised if the biggest one came back a little used.
I promptly replied "that's what my prom date said." Naturally. And then I told him for a second time that that's my new catch-phrase.
He said he'd already started using it, and that his roommate said it all the time now, and that they were pretty sure they'd sent the phrase back to Tennessee. If that's the case, then, and if Maggie carried it back with her, too, then by the time I visit next summer, it'll be like I never left.
The influence of Michaela is strong with these people.
Mama made me feel not-so-bad about UNC.
Thanks for everyone else who encouraged me as well.
I'm not going to go stick my head in the oven, or run out in traffic, or write bad poetry.
