Student of Desire

Years ago, I had an intense relationship with a man who was brilliant and deeply interesting to talk to. I didn’t doubt he felt similarly toward me. But we had other problems, and we were constantly breaking up and getting back together until at last we ended things for good. One night, not long after the final rupture, we agreed to meet at a bar in the East Village with a few friends. He brought the woman he had begun seeing. I was curious what she would be like. A few minutes of conversation convinced me that he was not dating her because of her mind. But she was undeniably beautiful. I could see from my ex’s body language, from his effusive demeanor, that he did not bring her just to make me jealous. He was clearly smitten, happy to be with her.