The Hall of Shame ~ Part XXIX

Hello boys and girls! I hope that this update finds you all doing well and managing to make it through spring with joy and minimal allergy attacks!

So, this Hall of Shame entry is coming to you compliments of the gossip mill . . . which runs like mad in small town like mine. Unfortunately, people tend to believe the stupid shit that they hear. And, even more unfortunate, they will ask me about the stupid shit that they hear!

Check out the email chain below for an exchange I had yesterday with an alleged friend . . . somehow I think a friend no more! Feel free to let me know if you think I was overly sensitive. I can take the criticism . . . maybe!

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

You came up in a convo last night. What is the situation with your r-ship? I thought you were in one and I heard last night you are running around with someone else on the side. I was really surprised to hear that. Let me know!

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

Mmm . . . I am not quite sure how to respond to this message really because it bothers me on several levels. What exactly was it that was being said? And I certainly hope that you would not believe I would act in such a way. Although, by virtue of the fact that you felt compelled to email and ask, it would indicate that you did believe it.

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

Don’t be so sensitive! You know we love to talk! We were discussing some things and it came up that you were dating several people. I am the one that said you were in a relationship. But that led to mention of you spending all of your time with someone that isn’t your boyfriend. So, you tell me what that means. It is your behavior, not mine, that is making people talk.

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

It’s fascinating how me having a male friend has apparently turned me into a giant whore. And I just love how you are so willing to believe it. And I am not being sensitive! How I spend my time, whether or not I am in a relationship, really isn’t anyone else’s business. It’s really sad that you and your cohorts have such little else going on in your lives that you are resorting to making up lies about mine.

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

I should have known you would freak over this. But, you have to know that if you act a certain way, people are going to talk. It doesn’t mean that people think you are a whore. The last time we saw each other, you were in a solid relationship. Now you are spending 24x7 with someone else? What is with that? And everyone thinks you are in a relationship – but definitely not with this person you are always with. It is only reasonable to think that you have something not quite kosher going on. And I don’t think it is right for you to behave that way if the men in your life do not know what is going on. Someone could get hurt and that isn’t right.

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

You are so ridiculous that I cannot even begin to string together enough words to capture it. Are you really intimating that I am the type of person to be involved with multiple people? You really do not know me at all do you?!? Well, let me enlighten you on a few things.

First, there is this lovely concept of friendship. Boys and girls can be JUST friends. If I am gallivanting around with a man, that I am not in a relationship with, he is my friend. And, you know what? I am not fucking him. Why is that? Because I have a moral compass that would not allow for that type of behavior. Unlike you! The last time I checked, weren’t you in an open marriage? That very thought makes me throw up in my mouth. But, I have – time and time again – defended your right to do whatever you want with your marriage. Too bad you do not display the same loyalty. Trust me, I won’t waste my energy defending you in the future . . . I may even join in the fun.

Second, what is your interest in the situation? What exactly is there for you to get all worked up about? Why would you care if I ‘hurt’ someone? Do you have an interest in the person I am in a relationship with? Or are you interested in my friend? Don’t think I’m a total idiot here . . . I know how you roll. And if you are concerned about anything, it is what you can get out of it. And trust me, neither of them would ever want anything to do with you.

Third, perhaps you should try to work on this lovely thing that we call ‘minding your own business’. And I would encourage you to have your partners in crime do the same thing. I also call it ‘getting a life’. My life is my own . . . and if you have nothing better to do than sit around and discuss it, then I feel really very sorry for you. I mean, I know that I am fascinating and all . . . but if you are all going to sit around and gossip about me, I would at least encourage you to make sure it is true – or keep it to yourself. I am not a fan of gossip . . . it has caused me an immeasurable amount of pain in my life and I will not get sucked into that nightmare ever again. True friends have better things to do than talk badly about the people they love. I know I do. But, then again, I am a true friend. You must not be.

Last, but certainly not least, I don’t think (not for one second) that I am being overly sensitive about this situation. I think it is a really sad state of affairs that you think it is acceptable to sit around and talk shit about your friends. It is even more pathetic that you believed the lies that someone else was spouting off about me . . . so much that you had to check with me about them. It’s disgusting behavior to me. I do not behave like that and I am saddened to know that you do.

That’s all . . .

Jenny

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

I am sorry you feel that way. I guess I thought that checking with you was the best way to handle it. I know otherwise now. That doesn’t mean I am not your friend.

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

It’s simple. Did you believe what the other people were saying about me?

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

Eveyrthing isn’t black and white that way. I did believe it, but I checked. That has to count for something.

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

No, it really doesn’t have to count for anything. Because, to me, you should know better than to believe that I would behave like a streetwalker. And, not for anything, if I were behaving like that, I would at least have the common sense to hide it. I am not a dumbass. If I were squirreling around in a relationship, I would not be parading around my small town with another guy. It’s absurd.

I don’t have anything else to say about this . . . I’m disappointed.

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From: Nosy Noserson
To: Jenny
Subject: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

So dramatic all of the time! Can’t you just let it go?

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From: Jenny
To: Nosy Noserson
Subject: RE: Checking In
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010

Mmm . . . I am going to go with a ‘NO’ . . . and thank you for now providing me with fodder for my next Hall of Shame entry. I was going to take the high road with this. I no longer feel that I need to do that.