I'm afraid to listen

Last night I got a text from the guy I had the disastrous date with weekend before last.

"Hi there!" the text said.

I didn't respond because I was in the middle of dinner with my friend. Okay, I probably wouldn't have responded anyway. To rationalize it, the text didn't ask a question or really need a response. Right?

Then he texted again first thing this morning. It was the first contact (besides a few emails delivered during the night) I had with a human today.

This one said "Good morning :)"

This one didn't ask a question or really need a response. And I dove into work as soon as I woke up anyway - too busy for personal stuff. But then about 45 minutes later, he called. I watched my phone ring. His name was splashed across the screen, and I ignored it. He left a voice message and I'm afraid to listen to it.

I thought I could let it sit for a bit while I did some work and then I'd be okay listening. Then after my run I'd listen. I didn't, and I still haven't. I don't like confrontation. And I certainly don't like telling someone I'm not interested in them. But I also don't like lying to him about why I don't want to see him - or even communicate with him. He's clueless the evening was a disaster, and I have a hunch he won't go away easily.

Maybe writing this will make be brave enough to listen. I'll update this when (and if) I listed to it. Promise.

Love to the single girls,
Addison

P.S. So I listened to the message. He wanted to make sure I got the texts and said he'd call me tonight. So...what to say...