"Either way, the room changes, Paul. The air shifts. That draft vanishes. What a graceful ghost. A takedown of accountability disguised as emotional depth."
FrankeeZee was talking in a way I would rarely hear — unless he was hammered. And he was.
Last Saturday, we sat soaking in his hot tub, drinks in hand, bubbles bubbling, steam rising. I listened. He'd been dumped last week by his girlfriend of four years. I was his faithful ear.
"It's a gift, really. Disappear and call it growth. Weaponize silence and call it peace. Erase someone while smiling politely and quoting some fucking author. Very healing. Very evolved."
I remained quiet.
"She faked a stylized exit, masking plain avoidance in self-help jargon. The trick? Leave before they ask why. Leave loud — but with just enough poetic mist to make it seem quiet. That's the sweet spot."
I nodded.
"They don't owe you a goodbye. Just something about boundaries or healing — wrapped in enough vagueness to keep you guessing. You know what I mean?"
Frankee's eyes — glazed from multiple vodka slushies — locked on mine.
"You don't know how betrayed I feel, Paul."
It's tough to console a friend limping through a breakup. Harder, when you don't know what happened — or why.
I smelled those burgers sizzling on the grill and got out of our jacuzzi to flip them, just as the doorbell rang.
"Paul. Ya wanna get that? I invited Gina and a bunch of her friends."
I smiled. Yeah, Frankee would be alright. My good friend would be just fine.
He needed time... and perhaps, Gina and her friends.
... this is probably what Gina looks like... when she's ready to play...
... people ask me all the time what FrankeeZee looks like... More or less like this, except 20 years older and 30 lbs heavier...
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Breakups for me have always been quiet.
Cowboy and I have a fuss - it is loud as heck with him shouting.
I prefer the quiet.
Hugs!
But that's all it is... shouting.
And then the calm returns.
Good for you.
I hope. 🤗💕
The most memorable one was when he said he couldn't live with me any more, I asked if he had met someone else, he said "that's not what this is about". Well, that WAS what it was about. How difficult would it have been to be honest? Perhaps he was embarrassed that he was taking up with a woman 22 years younger than him - or realized that I would be especially mortified upon finding that out.
Twenty-two is a number that would seriously nudge my threshold. 😮😂
It hardly matters, but did his vanity with her last?
You know me: I barely have an inner monologue. I believe in honesty. I can take, or give it. What's wrong with it?
People are so afraid of it. I have no respect for the lack of it. 💕 🤗
@Paulxx001 As far as I know they’re still together (19 years, longer than he and I were together) and they might have even gotten married. I peek at her FB profile once a year or so, although I think she finally got smart and locked it up except for her friends.
@smartasswoman
Wow... That, is crazy.
Who da thunk?
Perhaps what they have is real.
Perhaps age doesn't matter. 😲😂
Twenty-two years, you said?
Perhaps I should raise my threshold... a touch.
At the very least, she might choose the right home for me when my second-to-last brain cell evaporates. 😶
@Paulxx001 I kinda lost the right to judge when I took up with someone 12 years younger, n’est-ce pas? 😂
@smartasswoman
Twelve is 45% less than twenty-two.
No one is judging; more like "surprise."
And, with all due respect, twelve is not so bad. That's MY threshold, more ot less. 😎
I meant younger, of course.
... BTW...your French is pretty good...
A very interesting topic and love your story - Hey it even features good ole "FrankeeZee" - have wondered where he's been lately! Mmm ..... and he did look good in his hey day! Okay, and to the moral of your story - a "loud" or "quiet" ending, and guess like most things in life there are pros and cons - "loud" would what - leave a bad taste in your mouth, make you wonder what happened to all the love, (or that could prob have been lust), and "quiet", depending "how quiet" - to just stop the relationship without a reason - will also make you wonder what it was all about? Sadly and sometimes things do just end, and perhaps even both parties will just pull out - yep, happened to me, and think it could also have been we truly didn't know how to say "goodbye" to each other?
Loud is likely "too loud", and silence isn't loud enough. lol 😂
Somewhere in between would be nice. Talk as mature adults, hug, and move on.
Frankee says "Hi" and loves your posts. 💕
Oooooooh impressive fantasy 😈🔥🔥 whispers always good
I agree. 👍
Hot
Just like the weather... 🔥
@YourSassyPussy
With the humidity so high, will we find a place to chill that has AC? Or refreshments that might duplicate that effect? 😁
I love going to fairs. There are a ton of tiny ones in and around my town. To answer your question — yes. 💕
I have experienced breakups. They have been mostly calm, except the divorce where he liked to gode me into arguing on the lawn in front of his neighbors. (That only happened once.)
The most recent breakup earlier this year was at least in person, my preference. I like what you said below...to see them one more time. First, I broke up with him. I must say that we had one of our best conversations during that evening. A week later, got back with him.
Then 2 weeks later he broke it off with me. Rather than meet me somewhere, he waited until the weekend when he knew I'd ask to come over to his place. I thought that was kinda rude. But again, it was a quiet conversation but not nearly as good as the time before. At least after that, it solidified the reasons I had initially left, and I was at peace with it.
I do like to understand why. And if amicable, a hug goodbye.
On the lawn? OMG. That, must have been a worthy show. 😲
Waiting for the weekend was a strategic move on his part. Complete closure is a nice way to package things. I know what you mean by sealing things up — one last time — with a hug, 💕
@Paulxx001 Yes, the lawn. I was keenly aware that people must have been watching the show through their living room windows. I promised I'd never let that happen again. When he tried the very next time to start an argument, I stopped talking, backed away, and got in my car and left. That was really hard... until I realized it was much more satisfying to see how frustrated he got to not have an outlet. He couldn't go in and yell at the kids or the mistress. He just had to stand there and stuff all that anger. It was a thing of beauty! (I'm really not petty, but it was really my best move under the circumstances.)
@MyNameIsKay
Sounds like a classic.
May I borrow that for the next draft of my screenplay?
I can see it... so clearly. 😲
@Paulxx001 Why of course you may. 🤗
Break ups? Sure, I've had some of each type. The quiet ones are the worst ... like a silent but deadly fart.
You know, I always pictured Frankie looking a bit hairier ... like a chubby Cat Stevens.
Your visual and sensory imagery is spot-on this evening. 😂
I'll have to take a pic of him next time I see him. Funny thing is, he never seems to turn out right when I develop the film. 😲😂
Who knew FrankeeZee was Jensen Ackles? Bless his vodka-soaked heart. 😂 He is so adorably handsome! 🥰
Seriously though, you've really captured the raw, often frustrating, aftermath of a breakup in this post. 👍🏻
I've witnessed the "slammed door" exit, with its dramatic flair and undeniable impact. And while it can provide a sense of immediate, if chaotic, closure, there's something to be said for a clean, direct break, even if it hurts in the moment. At least you know where you stand, right? No lingering "poetic mist" to wonder about, just straightforward honesty.
To me burgers, new faces, and a solid ear, sounds like FrankeeZee's got a good support system, thanks to his burger-flipping buddy.
😉
He's not.
He's 20 years older and 30 lbs heavier.😂
(btw he's hot, even as a guy)
True... It's raw and different for everyone.
I prefer clarity and honesty. I can take it.
But don't fucking ghost me.
Burgers and a welcoming ear will always sooth the soul.🤗
love to kiss those lips
Many would. Thanks for dropping by.
I’m still processing that image of you 2 in the tub with bubbles and drinks🤔. I will take him with 20 yrs and 30 lbs. Btw, I hate Gina💁🏻♀️
You hate all naked women,
But that's my catch. No one on this site fucking reads.
Bubbles are fine.
Ever been in a Jacuzzi under the stars? It's fucking epic.
@Paulxx001 I only hate the hot ones😀
Yes, a few times; the last one just three months ago. It’s really hard, especially when you know that, because of your age, there may not be enough time to make things right again. The word 'breakup' itself carries such a negative weight, even if sometimes it’s necessary.
I understand what you mean.
Nothing can sooth an irreparable fissure. 💕
@mufdiver69er2
Yep... I've seen a few of those. 👍
Such a fine line between what people say and what they really mean. And then there's that other line: who cares? Do your own thing — everyone is doing theirs.
I found Charlotte — a native Montrealer — playing in a downtown venue a while back. She fricken kicked this tune. You know me and my affinity for simplicity. The drums are pure, but it's the bass-line on this song that drives the beat.
@mufdiver69er2
That, is so true. We hear what we hope we'd heard. 😐
@mufdiver69er2
This was her"break-out" tune, and the concert was meant to showcase and promote her new album. Production in that intimate venue was "sick," including two back-up singers and a couple of extra musicians. This video went viral with over 28 million views. Yeah... she did the job. I was seriously impressed.