How I "let myself" get rejected?

A year ago, when I went to the wedding of a friend of mine, I met a girl at my table. She was in her mid-thirties and cute, and we got to talking and danced some. I didn't feel romantic chemistry with her, but we got along in a friendly way.She returned to Boston, and I came back to Chicago. We became Facebook friends, and I learned at some point that she was going to run the Chicago marathon. I remember telling her that we should hang out when she came to town.On Friday, I was reading the news online— specifically, a story on how travelers arriving at O'Hare were forming longer-than-usual lines at the train station. The article said it was the biggest day for runners to arrive.I thought of the girl. She hadn't written me, but maybe she hadn't gotten in yet.The next morning, Saturday, still nothing. I checked her FB page.She had been here since Wednesday! Had posted status updates and a photo of deep-dish pizza and everything.I sent her a message, saying she should have told me she arrived early!— and what was she doing for dinner after the race? She replied that she wasn't sure how she'd feel after running. Of course, I understood that. I gave her my number and told her to text me if she was up for getting together. She wrote back to say she'd also be here Monday and Tuesday. I told her Monday would also work.Sunday morning, I volunteered at the race. I had my camera-phone ready for the instant I saw her, happy to give her a small souvenir. But I looked and looked... and just couldn't see her in the end. I put my phone away, wondering if something had happened.Nope— her FB page said she had finished.Afternoon came, and then evening, and then nighttime. I didn't hear anything from her. I figured she was probably not feeling so great, which is why I didn't get a text or e-mail.I checked her FB page: She had gone to a brewery that evening. Ironically, one not far from where I lived.On Monday morning, I e-mailed her to ask: Sooo, do you want to grab a bit to eat tonight? She replied that she'd have to let me knoew— she was taking a tour of some breweries and didn't know what time she'd return.Afternoon turned into early-evening. I checked my phone and my Facebook e-mails repeatedly. No message.I got on a bus and went for some dinner. And then returned home. Still no message.And I realized: I had been rejected.-----Funny thing about rejection. Sometimes, at least, you don't want to see it. It's not readily apparent to you, but that's because you want to keep giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes you don't realize until after a lot of little efforts on your part, and just about none on the other person's, that the balance of the relationship is off.The most difficult part is when it sinks in for you: Hmmm… she's not making an effort to put aside time to see me.What does this mean? One of three things: 1) She really doesn't want to, and she doesn't have the heart to say a flat-out no. In which case, you feel stupid and strung-along. 2) She's ambivalent about seeing you— doesn't care one way of the either. In which case, you feel NOT valued… and as such, don't want to see her. 3) She's up for seeing you… maybe even wants to… but SHE'S A FLAKE. In which case, the relationship is gone.Tuesday, the day after I threw in the towel with her, I got another e-mail: Sorry; l got back really late last night. Do you want to get together tonight? [smiley face]
Afraid I'm not free tonight, I wrote back. (I really wasn't.) I was available last night and the night before. Have a good trip back.Silly me, the hopes I have for others...