Member-only story
My Ex stood me up again
It’s a symptom of his addiction and I need to find the right response
Mom and I just got back from brunch at our favorite tapas place. Mom is a vegetarian, so she just gets a double order of the Patatas Bravas. We always end the meal with their version of creme brulee. Flavored with lemon and cinnamon, it’s so yummy.
Normally my ex is with us. In fact, this was our first time there without him.
He did some work for the owners when they were just starting out. They are Spaniards, and loyal. Every meal my ex eats at their restaurant is comped. We still leave a tip, of course. The food might be free, but the service isn’t.
While we were married, we’d go once a month for Sunday brunch. We chose that time because it was less crowded.
“I don’t want to cut into their profit stream,” my ex said. He didn’t want to take up a table that could be seating paying customers.
Besides, Mom will join us for Sunday brunch but not Friday dinner. It became a time for the three of us to catch up over a leisurely meal. Because it’s an authentic tapas place, dishes are prepared from scratch. This adds to the relaxed pace. If we order paella, a meal can last 2 hours.
