Why are you hanging on?

Divine darlingsgathered for a reunion last night to drink wine and catch up on gossip and sexlives. I lurked. Finally, one of the lovelies noticed me and thought she knewme from somewhere. Yep, I dated her friend. I played along, hoping the ex didn'ttrash me too thoroughly.
"Hi, youlook so familiar to me.""You'veprobably seen me on TV.""Really?""Yep, Awful Chefs, Lifestyles of the Poor and Insignificant, or The Perpetual Bachelor.""Ha! No,I don't know you from TV.""Well,Christine, I haven't a clue.""Wow. I'mimpressed. You remembered my name.""I alsoremember where we met and what you do for a living. Still impressed, or is thisbecoming creepy?"
Takenote, gentlemen: Remember as much as you can when you meet a woman. Drill itinto your memory. Make room by casting away the useless ditties you're storing,such as:Childhoodfriends' phone numbers.Agrade school teacher's name.Thedetails surrounding your first orgasm.Importantdates, which can easily be transferred onto an electronic calendar.Howto make a margarita. (Leave it to the experts.)Thelyrics to "Da Butt."Quotesfrom Seinfeld.Highschool locker number or combination.Pi.Thecapital of Norway.Whowas president before Reagan.Whereyou hid the porn.
Turnsout the woman I impressed was married (*sigh*) but her friend was delicious and ringless (*grin*),so I began my mating dance. Turns out my target had a boyfriend I could tellshe was none too pleased with.
"Why doyou stay?""BecauseI can't see myself hanging out in places like this.""Oh, itisn't so bad.""It'ssuch a scene. Ugh.""And you'drather stay in an unfulfilling relationship?""Beatsbeing alone or desperate.""Leavehim immediately.""What?""Go homeright now and start packing. This is nonsense. You're wasting your time forcingsomething to work that has probably been over for months or years. Move on!""No. I'mnot going to go through dating hell again. I can't imagine hanging out in barsor online dating sites. That would be depressing.""It iswhat you make it, darling. If you seek desperately, you make yourself unattractive.If you're amused by the process and see it as a way to meet new people, you'llthrive.""So, areyou telling me you're here in this club tonight to network?""That'snot the ultimate goal, but it's one I can live with. I met you and you're notgoing to sleep with me … are you?""Doubtful.""See? Istill like you and am enjoying our conversation even though it probably won'tend in a sex puddle.""Fairenough."
God, Ihate to see women hanging onto to the frayed threads of remnant relationships.Please lose the man who isn't treating you right as well as your fear of being judged for doing so.