Sometimes Facebook Gets Me in Trouble

I know this woman- she's  more of an acquaintance than anything. She seems funny and quirky, which I like in people. We became "Facebook friends" a couple of years ago- she shares things a lot with me there, which is fine. I like people who are active- who have something to offer.  The point is, it's pretty much just a Facebook relationship- we don't get together, call each other, etc.

So, every once in awhile she wants to get together, and not just for a drink- usually it's to see a show in Boston, or go to a concert or something.  She seems nice- it's just that there are lots of other people I'm much closer to who I'd rather spend the time with, or spend the money to do something with.  Whenever she messages me about something on Facebook, I manage to come up with a good excuse not to do it.  And I don't feel badly about it because I don't consider it a real friendship.

About 4 months ago she invited me to a Book Expo, which was taking place this weekend.  She was going with a friend, but he couldn't make it (he? I wondered... I thought she was married....) So, would I like his ticket? He didn't want money for it.... Maybe we could go for the morning and then get some lunch somewhere. She wanted to go to meet the authors and get all the book freebies.

I'm a sucker for books- the idea of possibly meeting Ann Patchett or Cormac McCarthy was enticing.  And free books? How bad could it be? We'd wander around and then spend an hour eating lunch together- maybe I'd find out that I really liked her and wanted to do more things with her!

So I said yes.  I put it on my calendar, thinking June is so far away- I'll check the website she posted on my wall at a later date. And, when I finally did, I realized it was in NYC, not Boston.

That changed things- I would have to spend 6-7 hours in the car with her- someone I barely knew.  But, she had shared so many "I'm so excited that we're going to the Book Expo!" messages with me that I felt badly. Plus, I was beginning to suspect that she was having some personal problems, probably having to do with her marriage... I called my son and his wife in the city and explained the situation and asked if we could stay there for a night- and that I needed them to be there. I didn't want to be spending the night alone with a virtual stranger in NY.  She could be crazy, or, as a friend watching this whole thing unfold suspected, a lesbian with a crush on me.  Or worse, a crazy lesbian.

As the weekend approached, I kept thinking I'd at least be able to see the kids in the city- maybe go out to a good restaurant with them Friday night.  And maybe the Book Expo would be great- I'd get to meet literary heroes of mine, rub shoulders with celebrities.  I was looking at the bright side.   But I was hoping I could still weasel out of the whole thing somehow. Even though it didn't look promising-she still continued to post things on my wall about it; yesterday it was a big picture of Jim Carrey- she had written something about being so excited to get his autograph (Jim Carrey!?!)  Things looked pretty bleak.

I didn't have her number, so I messaged her repeatedly for the past 2 weeks.  No response.  And then I was able to track her number down and call her last night.  It was one of the strangest conversations I've ever had:

Hi! I'm glad I finally reached you! We have to plan this weekend...

Um... yeah.

So- when do you have to be home on Saturday?

I thought I'd work backwards.

Well, I have to pick up the boys around 1:30 in Holyoke.

Holyoke is not on the way home.

Ok. What time does the Book Expo start?

I think at 9.

This is starting to sound strange.

What time did you want to go down to the city on Friday?

Friday?

Yes- remember I messaged you about staying with my son at his apartment? We could go out to dinner with them? They're really fun!

I can't do that. I have this blood infusion treatment on Friday afternoons.  I don't feel well for a few days after I have it.  Why don't you just go down on Friday and see your son and I'll meet you down there on Saturday morning.

She doesn't want to go!

But I'm not letting her off the hook easily.

So, you want to go to the city on Saturday morning?

Yes. That's what I was thinking.

And be in Holyoke at 1:30? That means you would have to be on the road at 5 AM, and you could stay at the Book Expo for abut a half hour.

Really? How far is NYC from here?

About 3 1/2 hours.

Really?! I thought it was just a couple of hours.

This doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Do you want to just meet around here for lunch on Saturday?

Trying to conceal the excitement in my voice.

Sure. Because I really want to see you. I have a lot to tell you about.  I'm getting a divorce and moving into a condo next week.

Wow- so sorry to hear that! How about if we meet at 12 at Mez Cal.

OK. That sounds great!


So... I think I can handle lunch with her, five minutes away, for an hour.  Even though I was right about her being crazy- now I'm a little nosy about why her marriage fell apart.  I just hope she doesn't try to kiss me or something.

I think there's a lesson to be learned here, but I'm not sure what it is.  Don't be nice? People like me. I can't help it....