The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Relationship seems off more than on
Dear Abby: I have been on and off with a man for two years. In all this time, he has never spent a holiday or Valentine’s Day with me, or introduced me to his family or friends. He told me to stay in the bathroom at his office when his friends showed up unexpectedly. When I objected, he said, “It’s only for 20 minutes.” I was horrified. He accuses me of picking fights and says I will never be happy with anyone. He breaks up with me at holiday time, never calls when he’s on vacation and our dates are always last minute
Two birthdays passed, and he didn’t even wish me a happy birthday, yet he buys presents and cards for every occasion for his friends and family. He blocks my number if I don’t “behave properly.”
He calls me “Miss” in public, but calls waitresses “Sweetie” the few times we have gone out.
Narcissistic and emotionally abusive? Am I wrong? He tells me no one will stay with me once they know the type of woman I am. I regret the day he entered my life. How can I make him see what he does is wrong?
Almost Done in New York
Dear Almost Done: This shameless man may never view what he has been doing as wrong, so don’t try to “make” him see anything. End this sorry excuse for a relationship now, because it is degrading, a waste of your time, and it’s very likely that he is married.
Dear Abby: I am 62, very healthy and youthful, and work full time as an R.N. I recently started dating a 67-year-old man I met on a dating site. We go out, do various things together, laugh and seem to be compatible. My concern is, he has significant heart disease. He has had stents put in and is on multiple meds. He also has moderate kidney failure. I’m realizing he’s actually very preoccupied with the state of his health because he talks about it often, and he sees physicians as well as a naturopath and myofascial release specialist.
We were taking my dogs for a walk recently and he said he didn’t feel well. He fell, and his defibrillator went off. Another time we were on a trip and he couldn’t walk far before saying he needed water, and he also wanted to be sure there was a bathroom close by. Another time we were attempting to have some intimacy and his defibrillator went off, which put a damper on the mood. Should I stay with this guy?
Heartstrings Pulled
Dear Heartstrings: What a sad situation. Not once in your letter did you mention the depth of his feelings for you or yours for him. He does — and probably will continue to — need looking after. Because you stated you are not prepared to do that, tell him NOW while he’s well enough to find someone who would be.