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How would you like to date a man that only went out with you because he lost a bet; was in love with your mother, who kissed like a fish and made love to your best friend? Who humiliated you in public by asking a drunk to pin on your corsage? Who thought White Castle was an elegant dining experience?

Welcome to my nightmare.

I married right out of high school so my dating experience is limited. However, one guy was enough to show me what a true dating horror story was.

His name was John. We met on the bus. He was a sophomore and I was a freshman. When he asked me out, I was thrilled.

On our first date, he met my parents. I should have known I was in trouble when he delayed it so he could talk with my Mom. She was a psychology major working on her bachelor's degree. He was a boy with some serious self-esteem issues. It was a match made in heaven. From this day on, our dates consisted of him coming over to my house; kissing me hello, a psych session with Mom and kissing me goodnight. I don't know why I continued dating him; he couldn't even kiss right. But I guess I'll chalk it up to youth.

If spending most of our dates at home wasn't enough to break me away from this guy, the "big" date should have shown that the end was near. I had invited him to a semi-formal turn around dance. We were very dressed up. He even bought me a corsage. Afterward, we were going to dinner. We ended up at White Castle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with White Castle, it advertises that it is home of the cheap hamburger. This translates into it being a home for the drunk, homeless other assorted people. When we arrived at this "elegant" restaurant, my corsage fell off. John was too embarrassed to put it on my himself. No, instead he invited the neighborhood drunk to do it for him.

I still wasn't disillusioned after this date. In fact, I was still in love with fish kisser. The final straw was just about to break. I had a Halloween party and invited some friends over. John brought my future husband to the party. All night my best friend and my future husband were making out on the couch. John and I were holding hands. The party turned out to be a big dud.

The next day, my future husband, Jim asked me out. I told him that I was dating John. He then told me of John's big plan. Apparently, John had brought Jim to the party hoping that I would be attracted to him. If I was, then he would be off the hook. I would break up with him and he could continue his relationship with Mom.

I also found out from Jim that John took my best friend Bonnie home and they had sex together.

When I confronted John, he informed me that he never wanted to date me at all. He had lost a bet. What humiliation I felt?

My youth and naivety led me to this "Nightmare on the Dating Scene". But from out it came a 30+ year marriage. So I guess that I was the true winner.

Learn more about this author, Cynthia Harlan.
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