One gentleman featured in a Tale From Sip and Go Girl entered my life as the subject of a television news story I wrote and produced.

Scotty was a military veteran. I had heard about his work fixing cars and donating them to vets in need. I was in charge of a series of stories in which I would profile people doing good deeds. I did an interview with Scotty, wrote the story, and it aired during a newscast. I actually was so impressed with his mission that when my own car died and was unfixable, I donated it to his organization three months later.

Six months after my donation, I heard from Scotty. He asked me out for later that week. This was going to be an exhausting week because I was appearing in court to end my marriage. No, not everyone getting divorced has to appear in court before a judge, but the way the mediator set up the paperwork meant I was to stand in front of a judge and say that yes my marriage was finished.

I figured I should take Scotty’s invitation as a positive sign and spend an evening eating an Italian dinner with him.

We met at the restaurant. I was emotionally numb after the week but certainly my usual cheerful self.

We had barely gotten through the salad part of the meal when Scotty announced that as a vet, he battled Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He then told me about his trouble handing the anxiety.

“And I just found out today that I have diabetes.”

He then told me about his trouble handling the blood sugar.

“And this on top of the allergies I already have. I carry an epi pen.”

He then told me about the medical device used to deliver doses designed to prevent anaphylactic shock.

Scotty said, “It’s tough sometimes because I was abused as a child and now I step in to help my sister and her kids. Her husband is abusive.”

Our dinner finished and we walked around the neighborhood for a bit and rode the trolley. He told me I was a great listener, understanding, and patient. At any moment he might have an anxiety attack, blood sugar spike or drop, allergic reaction, or rush to the side of his family in physical danger.

I felt more numb at the end of the night than when I started.

A couple days later, he messaged me via Facebook.

Scotty told me how much fun he had and the night was darn near magical.

“This is the start of something special for us,” he wrote.

My coworker and friend Sarah helped me craft a gentle response to tell him “no.” I said nothing about his dramatic confessions or my recent divorce. I merely told him “I’m not in a emotional place right now for a relationship.” Simple is best.