Perpendicular lives

Safe to say that my meeting with Cub Man didn't go as well as I'd hoped.

Some background: He and I dated for six months about six years ago. (His friends thought we might get married, but that's another story.) I spoke to him very briefly at a Cubs game this summer, but other than that, we haven't spoken in a few years although we've always been cordial. He's the only person I know that makes furniture, so I contacted him when I couldn't find the storage unit that I envisioned.

First off, I got lost going out to the northwest suburbs. I've traveled all over the world, I can find the f-ing restaurant!!! When I finally arrived, I was not a happy camper. My attitude turned what could have been a pleasant welcome hug from Cub Man into an awkward moment.
The Writer: bad attitude = -2 points

In the restaurant bar, I pulled out the room measurements that he requested and we discussed the storage unit for a while. It wasn't all business, though, as Cub Man wanted to catch up with me, find out what's been going on in my life.

This is where it got uncomfortable, for reasons that became apparent later.

Well, much of 2005 was spent traveling to two weddings in Europe plus a Cubs game in New York, a bridal shower in New Jersey, a college graduation in Virginia and, of course, my annual birthday trip.
The Writer: upbeat tales of travel experience = +10 points

I didn't tell him about all of these trips, just a few, glossing over most of the details. My brain short-circuited when my stomach started to rumble and suddenly the conversation turned to food. I hardly noticed Cub Man's hesitation when we decided to finish our drinks and find a table for dinner.

Our restaurant also has a city location which I've frequented because they have very good steaks. Food is one of my favorite conversation topics, especially when I'm hungry. I started to talk about another steak place in the south suburbs that's really great, but I didn't think Cub Man had heard of it. I turned to him and was faced with a strange expression that I couldn't place.

"We've been there," he said. Apparently, early in our "relationship," we had dinner at the aforementioned steakhouse. Cub Man remembered the cabin-like building off the highway, our table next to the fireplace and the smoky cabernet sauvignon that quickly became "our wine." He still buys that wine occasionally.

Geez! I thought date memorization was totally a girl thing!
Cub Man: detailed memory of a romantic evening= +20 points

Trying to avoid falling into the "remember when" hole, I asked about Cub Man's family. He has a son and a daughter (both teenagers now.) It soon became apparent that I didn't remember his daughter's name (probably because I mispronounced it). Oops!
The Writer: insensitive name boo-boo= -10 points

I felt bad about that blunder for the rest of the evening until it occurred to me (the next morning) that I had only met his children ONE TIME and that was six years ago!

In an attempt to close the gap between his experience with his children and my lack thereof, I related a story about one of my sister's kids.

"That's the sister that's a nurse, right?" Cub Man asked.
Did he always have this good a memory??
Cub Man: another memory muscle flex= +5 points

Back to the reason for our meeting...
Cub Man mentioned that it's good for me and bad for him that he has time to work on this project for me. Hmmn??

For the third time in four years, Cub Man is unemployed. Mortgage and child-support payments loom large for him. Add to that the fact that he's on the north side of 50 and it's not a good situation.

He's even started doing some handyman jobs around his neighborhood. He insisted I take a few of the business cards he printed up for this. I glanced at the cards (he still lives in the same townhouse).
Cub Man: trying to make the best of a pitiful financial situation= +50 points

Needless to say, I paid for dinner. A quick and innocent kiss goodnight and a promise of a quick estimate brought to a close an evening I'd sooner forget.

So let's check the score:
The Writer (-2 points)-- insensitive, rich bitch flaunting domestic and international travel, hiring people to remodel a room.
Cub Man (+75 points)-- thoughtful in remembering events and people, suffering financial low again, fixing screen doors and caulking tubs for senior citizens.

Is there a "slaughter rule" in dealing with exes??