My Ex’s New Girlfriend

‘So that’s his type?’ I wondered aloud as I scrolled past post #27 of his new life with her. I see some similarities between us, and some glaring differences. She’s gorgeous, but the sensitive part of my brain can’t help but pick her apart.

In an alternate universe could we be friends? Could we get a beer and sit by the river and talk about our previous love lives, before the one that societally pit us against each other? Maybe she is me from a different timeline, she bumped into the person we have in common shortly after I exited stage right out of his life and now, they’re in Act 2 Scene 3 of the production. No one really remembers Act 1 by now, right? It was just…a phase?

I’m at the edge of my seat for Act 2 though, watching from backstage. I wonder — is he practicing what I’m hoping he learnt from Act 1? Is he more patient, communicative, present? Does he tell her things with the preface ‘I’ve never told anyone this before’? Does he make me out to be the ever-prevailing villain, an undercurrent of the entire production?

What about the girl who comes after her? What new element will she bring to heighten Act 3 so as to hook the audience and make them invested in the success of this character development?

Each Act is like a new generation. The grandfather generation of girlfriends had to roll up their sleeves and do the laborious work, fuelled by optimism. One step below, and you’ve found yourself staring at the generation that wants to succeed in a highly competitive environment. Get it…