Tonight was Man night out. Not plural, but singular. I only asked a few guys individually if they wanted to go, and of course I got the same. “The Misses needs me to *insert something here*”. Fair enough. I understand. It actually worked out for the better because I lost my voice by the time the game started(my cold). It was the first time I’ve ever been to an NBA game, and thusfar in this year alone I’ve been to see MLS, NBA, NFL and MLB. Next up. NHL.I didn’t realize it but Pepsi Center is a good 15-20 minute walk from my office. I was expecting a longer commute and was ready to hail a taxi or take the lightrail, but with this new knowledge shared by my co-workers I just walked. I’m glad I did, it was a gorgeous night. Not to hot or chilly. Perfect.Snapping photos as I went, I got inside. Of course, in awe. Coming from a small city and never being in such a facility, it was somewhat surreal experience. I get inside, I put away all my gadgets intent on ordering my 50$ beer and my 1000$ nachos. All out of nacho cheese, so a beer would have to suffice.

Damn! I was hungry too.

As I leave the line, I get two arms wrapped around my waste, really giving me a good squeeze. I almost dropped my beer, and had I done so, the night may have very well been ruined. I look down at the hands and notice they were of female orgins. Small and tiny. Smooth and Soft. Fingernails neatly trimmed. A fresh coat of glossy paint.

Wait a second .. I know these hands, but who’s hands were they? I couldn’t put my finger on it …

I turn around, and lo and behold I see that it’s one of my ex’s. You gotta be kidding me. For the sake of anonymity, I’ll refer to her as “Brown Bag”, or BB for short, it doesn’t describe her at all, but I’m in one of those self-venting modes so you’ll just have to accept BB as her name. She was one of my first girlfriends when I moved to Denver, I dated her while I was working at Prints Plus in the mall. She was the girl I had wanted to talk to everyday at lunch time. Back when money was tight, I would go out to eat everyday at this nasty place in the food court, not because I could afford it but because I wanted just to talk to her.

Even if it was only so she could take my order …

I would drink my diet coke as fast as I could, just to get another refill, just so I could talk to her. Over the course of a couple weeks my boss had hinted to her that I liked her without me knowing and from there the sparks flew.

We would head to the mountains, she’d crawl into my lap and I would hold her until the sun would come up and we’d talk. About everything, about nothing. Movies, dinner, ice cream. You name it, we did it. It was a great relationship until she realized I would be putting my job first before anything else, that I would be dedicated to my dreams and my goals and that, and here’s the kicker, I was afraid of commitment. She understood, heck, I was only 18 at the time, and she was 19. We both knew we’d have to give each other space and time before we actually made up our minds in life. We dated for only about 2 months before I got a “Dear KC letter”. She broke up with me, she had found somebody else that did want a relationship with, and deep down she really did want a commitment. I don’t blame her, and I wasn’t made, until I got a drunken text with her and the dude she’d been seeing. Not Cool. Dagger in the heart. No apologies, nothing.

In all honesty, I somewhat loathed her for quite a while. She was perfect, but I got the hint she didn’t feel the same for me, and lets face it. That’s was a big shot at my ego and my pride. Of course with every passing relationship I had the sting of it eased.

So I’m at the Pepsi Center, hands no longer around me only to confront BB. She holds open her arms and somewhat lunges at me, and as beautiful as she was I somewhat pushed back hinting at the awkwardness of the situation. What are the frickin odds I’d see her here. Of all the relationships I could had back, it would have been that one. I’d do anything for a mulligan. Some old wise men say that every man is given 3 perfect ladies in his life, and once those 3 come and go, you might as well forfeit the possibility of true happiness. She was #1 … /ugh. Only 2 left. We talk. Small talk. I’m still somewhat in shock … hows things been, you look great blah blah blah blah blah.

This goes on for a minute or so … then I feel a tug at my jeans. A little boy is giving me the outstretched arm look as if he wanted me to pick him up. I look at BB somewhat bewildered and realize it’s her kid, and she was ok with picking him up.

/ugh.

This night could not get any more weirder for me. She’s got a kid? She still looks SMOKIN hot? We talk for another minute and BB says …

“kc, I want you to meet jonathan, jonathan this is kc”;

Jonathan is a bigger guy, not muscle wise, just bigger. As I look at the kid and I look at jonathan I see the resemblance. He’s probably 3 or so years old…. which tells me she got pregnant only a couple years after we were together. Whew! Not mine! Only kidding ….

With a kid in one arm(and for those that don’t know me, this is rare. Bloody fucking rare I’m holding a kid), I see the hand of jonathan as if he wants to shake my hand.

“GO JUMP OFF A BLOODY CLIFF” … I said.

Not really … but I wanted to. I got caught up in the moment so fast that had I did it all over again I would have dropped my beer and ran to the other side of the Pepsi Center like a little school girl. I extend my hand being the curtious guy I am, I extend my hand out as an offering of peace.

“… And how do you two know each other?”…

I taught your girlfriend there the reverse cowgirl position you like so much …..

Dammit, no, I can’t say that! I really don’t think he had any idea who I was, nor do I think she ever told him about me. Not that she had to, but during the introduction a, he’s my friend, or he’s my ex would have been a good clue as to which card I had to play while talking to him.

“I’m just an old acquaintance”, and with that, a deep sigh of relief came across everybody. Talk about awkward.

I let the kid down, and jonathan explains that they should be on there way, that it’s his first game he’s been able to attend in quite a while …. and he jokingly points to her behind his hand … clearly she’s the reason behind his poor attendance to the nuggets game, and he didn’t want to miss tip off.

We said goodbye, and a smile came across my face.

It’s why I’m single. The ability to do what I want when I want. No kids. No marriage. No commitment. It’s not for me. For some it is and that’s fine, but that’s too much responsibility that my clear immaturity can’t handle. In fact the reasons mentioned above are partly why I had to go alone to the game tonight.

It was well worth it though. Hopefully my next trip to watch the game wont have any awkward meetings, but regardless I’ll be thankful that I can attend the game without hearing anybody nag or bitch at me as to why I was out so late. Accuse me of cheating when I just went to see a ball game. Come home with alcohol on my breathe, late and not having to get an earful. To play my video games, to have george and my marvel comic posters, my siderman shower curtains.

To be free in some regards.

Of course, it’s not as glamorous as it’s cracked up to be. There are times when I wish I had a warm body(yes, I have cold bodies in my closet, j/k) to come home to. It’s a really complicated situation I have at hand. It’d be nice to have a nice back scratch, a good conversation, ect ….

One just has to observe the pros and cons of dating, of relationships and weigh if it’s really worth it. Figure out what will make you happy.

As far as me, tonight I was happy.

Me. My beer. A nuggets win. Coolio for the halftime show.

Not a bad deal. At least for tonight.

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