After my emails, I did not contact her ever again. Present day included. I must, however, complete this past chronicling of our relationship so that I can move forward with the events that have happened after April 25, 2014.
As you know, dear reader, Nancy now had a copy of my yoga schedule. I used this as part of a strategy to protect myself, yet it also left me vulnerable to approach. Still, it was a psychological way to neutralize her and prevent her from showing up anywhere near me. Why? If she did approach me, I have evidence of not only stating–in writing–that I wished to keep her away from me, but she breached that informal contract of trust. If had to get a restraining order issued, this would help me do so. At this point, based on her erratic behavior–and no explanation as to why she would be doing all of this to me–I had to protect myself.
On April 25th, I was slated to take a 6 a.m. yoga class and that would be the only one that I attended. Of course, Nancy and I both had a copy of my yoga schedule, so she knew where I would be, though I did not know where she would turn up. This is significant because I found out later that day that my original yoga instructor, Jane, would be leaving the studio and attending Tuesday night’s class would be the last opportunity to see her off.
Not only did I have a difficult day at work, and needed the additional day’s yoga practice to relieve stress, but I decided to attend an unscheduled session to say goodbye to my favorite instructor. Now, friends, Jane was often a threat to Nancy, as she felt that Jane liked me but we were never anything more than friends. Keep this in mind.
That night, I brought Jane cupcakes and flowers from all of the yogis who were saying goodbye. I asked the front desk to hold these articles, while I took class, and that we’d all celebrate with Jane afterward.
While I was waiting for class to begin, Nancy steps out of the hot room, as she took the 6:15p yoga class. We both saw each other; her eyes on me. I turned away, as it was even more awkward after her avoidant behavior last week and my email saying to stay away. After a few minutes, she approached me and asked to talk to me outside.
We headed out of the studio room to talk; we were on opposites sides of the hallway.
Me: “Are you okay?” (I figured I’d ask, not knowing what mood or reaction I might get from her)
Nancy: “Yes. I guess you’re taking Jane’s class at 7:45p. That wasn’t on the schedule you gave me.” (she seemed sad, pained; her eyes not meeting mine)
Me: “I know. I’m sorry about that. I had a difficult day. I took the 6 a.m., as scheduled, but I found out it’s Jane’s last night here and I came to take her final class to say goodbye.”
Nancy: “Well, I was going to do a double.” (The 20 in 30 challenge was ending and she wanted to get in her final few classes; taking “a double” meant that she would take a second class that evening to count in her overall tally for the challenge).
Me: “If it’s going to be an issue, then I’ll leave. I have no problem with it. I’ll leave.”
Nancy: “Why can’t we just take the class together?”
Me: “Nah. It’s fine; I just came to say goodbye, but I don’t have to take the class. I’ll leave.”
Nancy: “Can we just take the class together?” (she sighed when she said this)
Me: “Sure.” (I did this more for Jane than Nancy)
She looked away again and seemed hurt and conflicted. Still being in love with her, and never wanting anything like this to happen between us, I said, “Come here.”
She hesitated.
I said again, softly, “Come here. If you want to, give me a hug.”
She walked over and put her arms around me. After a few seconds, I felt her arms squeeze me.
Despite my feelings for her, I was strategically testing her and proving that she never thought I was physical threat to her. I don’t know what caused her to feel threatened by me, but one does not go anywhere near another, when they feel scared. She squeezed me.
We let go of the embrace and walked back into the studio. I said to her that Thursday was my last night here–as she knew from my yoga schedule–and that I had something for Lana. I was unable to give her the birthday gift I purchased for her months ago. In packing and moving, I discovered it and figured that if I were never going to see them again, I wanted Lana to have her gift. As you’ll recall, Lana’s nickname is bumblebee, and so I found this little case in the shape of a felt bee. Inside, was a bumblebee necklace for a child.
(I still have it, as Nancy never showed up that Thursday.)
She said that she would think about it. We entered the hot yoga studio one last time together. This holds sentimental significance, because, as you’ll recall again, we met in August of 2013. It was this room, this Tuesday night yoga scheduling, this same instructor, where we first met.
In heartbreaking and poetic fashion, where we ended is exactly the same space, time, and place, where we started our connection.
Following our last and final yoga class, Nancy took note of the fact that I got Jane something as part of her resignation “party.”
Friends, I will never know if it was some old jealousy that prompted it, but when I returned to look for Nancy in the studio that night–following our class–she was gone. No goodbye. Nothing. She left in haste.
That night was the last time I ever saw or spoke to Nancy.