I scan the parking lot and don’t see the car I think That Guy drives. My friend, E., and I walk into Joe’s, and we see our friend K. He’s finishing up a short story. I look around. I look around again. No. That Guy is not here. At the counter, the barista asks me how I am. “Great!” I say.
“Great?” he asks.
“Certain people aren’t here!” I look around again. “No. Not here.”
He nods and the other barista walks over. “We’ve been looking up for him,” she says. They tell me how the owner, D. told them what to do. They’d all been talking about That Guy. “We’re looking out for you,” they say.
I had a good night. Amazing how much fun you have when no one is watching your every move. Or at least when you don’t believe someone is watching your every move.
Like writing. The things you can write when no editor, teacher, harpy, or weird guy is beside you! Freedom! A wonderful thing indeed.
Of course, Melodramatic Mind knows That Guy is still out there and there is still next Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that… but tonight is good.
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 
I bet you were doing the Snoopy happy dance inside. 🙂 I can just see you, doing a little twirl and shimmy, with a jump and a “woo!” 😀 I’m so glad you had a fun and relaxing evening. 🙂
You’ve pretty much got that right.
I’m glad to hear you had a stress free, That Guy-less evening. How nice to be able to go and be relaxed and easy.
May it always be so. 🙂
Yes. May it always be so. If this next Tuesday is clear, then I’ll really feel free.
Every time you call him That Guy, I picture Marlo Thomas‘s evil twin. (Yes, yes, I know — 40-year-old TV allusions probably not a good way to relate to young whippersnappers.)
Congratulations!
Oh, I used to watch that show! But I can’t say I can remember the evil twin.
Hooray hooray! Freedom from weirdos is indeed a wondrous thing!
Here’s hoping it will last.