By the way...

If, perchance, you say something hurtful to me (or something that you suspect is going to be hurtful, but you choose to say it anyway), and my response is nothing at all -- not one syllable, not even a glare -- it's not because I'm reacting well to it. Absolutely Zero Reaction is a red flag that you've done some internal damage.

What a disappointing night. Never saw it coming. Live and learn.

I won't be creating the opportunity for a repeat of how I feel right now. If I do, it'll be my own fault if I get hurt a second time. Like the proverb says, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."