The Way U Text Me

This story is from Christina, a 25-year-old dance teacher in Boston, as told to Raz:

I met Dave at Border Cafe. We hit it off, and I gave him my number. He asked me out shortly after to meet up for drinks at Cambridge Common. He seemed cute, and I’m up for anything, so I said yes.

On my way to meet him, I realized I was running a few minutes late, so I texted to let him know. No response, but I still got there before he did. I was a little relieved that I wasn’t the “late” one. After 15 more minutes of waiting, I still hadn’t heard anything, so I texted again to let him know where I was. Another 15 minutes. I texted to ask if he was coming.  No response. I stayed long enough to have a drink, then sadly admitted to myself that I’d been stood up. (This was not my first time.)

The next day, he finally texted. This is the conversation in full:

Dave: I know the feeling of what happened last night, and I’m infinitely sorry for giving u the feeling. You’re a very very nice girl and don’t deserve that. I honestly had a really late meeting/event and my phone ran out of juice. Terribly sorry I didn’t get a hold of u. I was honestly looking forward to seeing u. Was the high point of my month let alone week. No lie. So I’m sorry. Really am. Hope ur OK.

Dave: I still really want to see u for drinks but I doubt u want that to happen still.

Dave: Is there any way I can make it up to you?  Please tell me to leave u alone if that’s what u want…

Me: So I want to believe you that you’re sorry and that you had a good excuse and that you want a second chance. But I’ve been down this road before, and I just don’t believe you’ll be any different. So good luck with life and everything, and maybe I’ll run into you again under better circumstances.

Dave: Wow. That’s completely unfair but OK. I openly am honest and apologize. I have been down that road before too. Please just give me a chance in person to talk to you. It won’t be a mistake.

Dave: Good luck with life?? Come on… please let me take you out for drinks again. I mean jesus I had a tough situation and was freaking out and when I got there u were gone.

Dave: I deserve a second chance. I’ve been nothing but honest.

Dave: I would never ever want to leave u hanging like that but I didn’t have control over the situation and when I got there u were gone.  Please give me a chance.  I am a very good guy and a great person in general.  If u don’t want to I understand but it’s ur loss.

Dave: This really fucking sucks.

Dave: Listen I’ve been down this road too and didn’t want that to happen. All I can say is sorry u went thru that. I’d love to make it up to u. But just flat out tell me to leave u alone if u don’t want to.

Dave:  So no? Not gonna happen? Great.

Me: Ok, so I tried to be nice and clear in my last message that I am not interested in finding another time to meet up. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors, but please don’t try to turn this around and put the blame on me. You gave me an out, and I’m taking it.

Dave: Wow. That’s a bit ridiculous. U don’t even know me at all and put me into a category of other people. I had a tough situation and did my best to be there.

Dave: Ur loss in all honesty. Really is.

Dave: I do put the blame on u 100%. I should have called u last night when I got back but I didn’t and I’m really really sorry u had to sit there and wait. But I am an honest guy and thought u were gorgeous and cool and would have been a blast.  I regret not being there.

Dave: Try to get to know a person before u judge them. Good rule of thumb. We could have had a hilarious great time. U’ll never know. Just don’t judge people before u know them. K thanks.  Good luck to u too.