There is a couple at my gym and for a while we were all friendly the way regulars tend to be. Nods, small talk, familiar faces. Then something shifted.
One of them started smiling at me more than usual, looking my way a little more than necessary. Nothing aggressive or inappropriate, just noticeable. His partner picked up on it. And from that point on the friendliness was gone.
Now every time the partner sees me I get a dirty look. If his guy walks anywhere near me he is watching closely. I tried nodding at him today just as a basic acknowledgment and got a stone cold stare back.
I want to be clear about something. This dynamic has nothing to do with who they are as a couple. Jealousy shows up in every kind of relationship. Straight couples, gay couples, young couples, older couples. The possessive instinct does not discriminate and I am not pointing this out because of anything other than the situation in front of me.
What makes this particular situation worth noting is that I am a straight married man. I say that not to make any kind of statement but because it underscores just how little of a threat I actually am here. His partner is not going anywhere with me. That is not a possibility in any universe. So the level of suspicion and the dirty looks being directed my way make even less sense when you factor that in.
His partner is the one looking my way. I am not doing anything to encourage it and I am not responsible for it. Holding me accountable for someone else’s wandering attention is not fair regardless of the situation.
I am just trying to get my workout in.
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