Scuttled

So C@ and I have this phrase "scuttling the ship" - it's a nautical term for running a vessel aground; but in our case, it's when you break it off with someone you're not really dating - the "ship" is a relationship.

Usually, scuttling takes place early on - it's something you do before emotions are involved, before it can really be termed a "break-up". It's and awkward yet polite way of disengaging. Personally, I usually start it with "I can't see you anymore..." and for the most part, all my scuttlings have ended successfully.

But recently I got scuttled - after 3 months. To my credit, I was almost expecting it - I mean, it was someone I had scuttled in January, and we had started up again after my last exclusive relationship had ended; we never had any emotional connection, in a way we were just placeholders. We had never attained any real level of intimacy, and I had been wondering what the point was. So when he called and said "We can't date anymore..." I felt a measure of relief.

He had become reacquainted with someone he'd met years before, wanted to give it a go, and he "just wasn't the type that could date two people at once.". In reality, it was the almost the same speil I had given him lo those many months ago - except I'm perfectly capable of dating two people at once. When he thanked me for being understanding, I said "What choice do I have? You were understanding with me." I wished him luck, and I meant it.