So yeah...

you guys rock.
Thank you so much, each of you, for being non-judmental, helpful and supportive - not just of me but of The Thing as well. We (The Thing and I)were a little concerned on whether or not I would get 'fair' advice since this is my blog. I'm glad you guys all looked at the facts, and not at me. Bravo!

I read each comment carefully and there was a lot that I had not considered and/or things that were ideas I was trying to convey but did not know how to word them. I also forwarded each comment to The Thing, so he has gained valuable insight from you as well.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking..."shut up and tell us what happened with the fucking dinner!!"
Okay, okay...

Let me tell you first, that we spoke on the phone for about a half hour Wednesday afternoon...just a few hours before the scheduled dinner. That, in itself, was pretty fucking cool. It is wonderful to be in a relationship where you can talk about things that are bothering you without having blame, shame and childish name-calling involved. No one took cheap shots...hell, we didn't even argue. We just each talked about how we felt.

For the record, my heart told me that The Thing would not cheat on me so that wasn't really the issue. The issue for me, mainly, was that from what I knew of this woman and knowing all the details of their last encounter, and from being a woman myself...I knew The Woman would not let it drop. She still has feelings for The Thing, was going to hit on him again, and was going to do what she could to get him back...or at least in bed. The Things stance was first, he didn't believe this to be the case and secondly, even if it was the case, he would simply get up and leave. And he was upset by the thought that I didn't trust him. I couldn't seem to make My Thing understand that I did/do trust him...but whether or not he got up and walked away wouldn't change the fact that The Woman had her hands and/or lips on my love. And that he was in a position to not put himself in that position in the first place...but he was insisting on trying to maintain a 'friendship' anyway.

So The Thing came right out and asked what I thought he should do...
::sigh::
I'm hoping you guys know me well enough to know that when I say something, I mean it. And I'll always tell you the truth. I'm not one of those girls who will say 'do whatever' and then hold it against you later. Nor would I ever dream of trying to live your (The Thing's) life for you. Lord knows I'm not perfect and just because something is what I want doesn't make it right.

I bit the bullet and told The Thing that he needed to do what he felt was right. If he needed to see The Woman and clear the air with her/maintain the friendship then that's what he needed to do. He said yes and off to dinner he went.

The Boy had a deck hockey game that night. He had just finished and we were headed back to the car - around 8:30 pm when I received a text message from The Thing:

You were right. Details later. Call at 9.

To which I replied:

This was one time I was hoping I was wrong but I can't say I blame her.

His reply?

Thank you so much for letting me prove it for myself. That is the most important gesture you've offered me yet. I love you.

So yeah...she wants him...he wants me...and he's here with me now.