My Saturday Night, Part 4
Is the whole always greater than the sum of the parts?
I’ve been describing a dysfunctional couple that I encountered on Saturday night. I think it is important to note that, individually, these two women are amazing. Each is accomplished, intelligent, educated, articulate, and fun. Each is generous, compassionate, and engaging.
It’s being together that brings out the worst in them. The tension they bring to social gatherings is palatable. Waitresses can feel it.
Toxic relationships. It happens. Just as relationships can make us stronger, more confident, and more fulfilled, they can also bring out negative characteristics like pettiness, jealousy, belligerence, and malice.
The whole may be greater than the sum of the parts in certain cases. The whole may also be a Superfund site of emotional and psychological upheaval.
I have found it fascinating that those in toxic relationships often don’t realize that they’re in a toxic pairing until things truly start going to shit — and, even then, they’ll try to “work it out” when it’s obvious to their friends and those around them that they shouldn’t be together.
Be careful about dating women who have recently been in toxic relationships. It takes a while for them to actually break up, and it takes time for them to heal.
Remember: there are documented cases of horses that, after having been freed from a burning barn, run back into the flame-engulfed structure when they are released.
