Bus Stop Guy Is Married

What follows is not only a tue story, but is also my life story...

For the past year...yes, 12 months, maybe even longer...each time I was late for work (ie every day) I went to the bus stop and waited patiently with this blonde guy. I don't like blondes...usually. But here's the deal, even if I had a crush on you last year, even if I was dating you... no matter what... I always was into this bus stop guy. I don't know what it was. Perhaps my perpetual dream/understanding that the love of my life will be found on the CTA. I don't know. But he's cute in an extraordinarily non traditional way. And every time I was running late for work and had to take the 10:00 bus, there he was. I know what stop is his. I know that he smokes Camel Lights. I know that he enjoys reading the Trib while he waits. I know that he likes a brown jacket and wears his shorts too long in the summertime. I know all of this because it was always clear to me that eventually we would talk and get married.
Tonight I was at the bar with a bunch of friends. My friend Joe introduced me to someone familiar. I shook hands and the entire time thought, "I know you...but you are somehow out of context...who are you?" We made frequent eye contact. I knew he knew me too. Who was he?
All of a sudden, out of nowhere I yelled, "I got it! I know who you are!" He smiled and said, "Thank God, cause you are so familiar but I can't place you..." and I said, "You're the bus stop guy!" and it all came crystal clear. We introduced ourselves. We chatted and laughed and I suddenly found myself sitting up straighter and fidgeting with my hair more. I kept thinking, "This can't really be happening...the bus stop guy." I started saying things that were really forward, since, afterall, Kris and Jer have l labeled this not only the year of change but also the year of "No games just honesty...cut to the chase, figure it out and move forward" so here I am chatting and tossing my hair and suddenly saying, "I always wanted to say hi, but I never did, so I'm glad to have the chance now..." when in three strong strokes he lays out the following dealbreakers...
1) I'm an actor.
2) My wife is an actress.
3) Have you met my friend Dan? Dan, this is Chloe...

I have to admit...I was 50% offended and 50% flattered. I mean, come on, I get called Brigitte on nearly a daily basis, Brig and I don't know what it is with you people but you full on misentangle ( I just made that word up...but isn't it pretty?...Say it outloud...misentangle...beautiful and meaningless...just like so many people I know) our names so often we've learned to respond to both...but Chloe???? He apologized profusely and was profoundly embarrassed. But, on the other hand...I was sort of flattered to be mixed up with an exotic name like Chloe...I mean...Chloe...that's a cool name, it gave a certain conotation to his interpretation of my character which I enjoyed...I could totally be a Chloe.

But he was married.

And, an actor.

And though I've certainly leaned towards married actors in the past...the key words here are "in the past". So I drank my pinot and gossiped with Sarafina and chain smoked the rest of the night away. Good job me.

But stop having dreams about the leading men on the CTA, Brookie. It can only lead to twenty three seconds of heartache.