Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Pox girl and the Phobic

Okay, he's truly, clinically phobic about germs, the new boyfriend. Nobody is perfect, right?
I tell myself I don't need to take this on. I really don't. Not my problem.

But he's phoned twice trying to make it up. The second call, I'm virally teary, offended and depressed and ask in a somewhat hysterical, quavering voice, what other phobias might be looming - homophobia? racism? Because those are real deal breakers I tell him. He assures me he is not a Nazi or harboring either of those peculiarities.

He asks if he can see me after I go to the doctor tomorrow. "After all," he argues, "I'm not going to get over the phobia sitting here alone." And he's proud that he's already made it past the discovery of a tattoo on my upper left arm - tattoos apparently being related to the germ-thing. He's thinking maybe he can conquer fear of germs and viruses next. "That's what you need alrighty, a tattooed, virus-ridden girlfriend for therapeutic purposes." He agrees enthusiastically. As if he can tell that I see his point and seem to be moving him out of potential ex-new-boyfriend to probationary-new-boyfriend status.

What can I tell you? What passes for my love life is, at least, not boring. And did anyone see "Aviator?" Because Howard Hughes was a pretty interesting guy before he went completely off his rocker. Okay. Never mind. Fire at will.

9 comments:

Ariel said...

Wow! So there is a new boyfriend - that's news [shows how long I have been away] but is that good news? Phobias can alienate people... but then again they can bring them closer too if you fight them together. Good luck!

herhimnbryn said...

Hmmmmmmm. Typical Libran here...step carefully but step anyway.

((((((0)))))

Zhoen said...

You want a fixer-upper, who am I to object?

LJ said...

Hi Ariel, Herhimnbryn.
Zhoen - don't know what I want. The word "out" comes to mind...but it's kind of an overall "out."

JoeinVegas said...

"out"? Sorry. Maybe it will get better.

LJ said...

Hi Joe. Sort of a viral, still heart-broken over the last BF kind of "out"...
It always gets better. Then not so much. And so on...don't you find?

phlegmfatale said...

Well, I know I said the words "Kick" and "curb" in my last comment, but I'm a libra, too, and well, if you're feeling generous, then go with it. He may be a sparkling ball of fire, but at some point he needs to recognize that the lady needs to be put first, and everything isn't about cushioning his fragile feelings. I'd be ok with probationary status, but especially at times when you are vulnerable like this, he needs to put you first and be sensitive. So yeah, proceed with caution, but proceed!

Darkmind said...

If he told you he had a clinical germ phobia, he was lying. People with legit germ phobias don't go down to the lake or hiking. They wouldn't want to risk picking up Lyme disease from a tick, or stepping in animal droppings, or getting West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite. He is not phobic, he just doesn't want to do horizontal polka with someone who's skin looks like God is getting back into the smiting business(no offense, of course). As far as whether you let that sway your pursuit of this one, I can't really offer any advice. Other than being somewhat overbearing, and a compulsive liar he seems like a nice guy. After all, he did look up the tall girl store in the phone book for you. I would say put yourself in his shoes, and ask yourself if you might pull back a little if abandoned factory boy started getting all rashy and infected. I'd also say don't let desperation for companionship make you settle for whatever the cat drags in. Don't forget that with the advent of chat rooms, hobby shops, vibrators, and pizza delivery you should be able to tide yourself over till the right fella comes along. However, I wish you luck with the medical treatments and the social life (for whatever reason anyone would want either...)

LJ said...

Thanks Phlegmy...
and D? Don't hold back now.