Quickly leave husband without looking back
Dear Annie: Two years ago, I married “Will.” We were both widowed. I had a good job, a nice home and a car. Will was retired and wanted someone to travel with, so I retired in order to spend time with him. He didn’t like my home, so I sold it. He already had three cars and said we didn’t need a fourth, and because he preferred his cars to mine (even though mine was newer and paid for), I sold that, too. He agreed to provide lifetime rights to his home if something were to happen to him and had a will made to reflect that.
But two months after the marriage, we had a disagreement and he threatened to change the will. He told me to leave because it was his house. He has since made the same threat numerous times. I found out he was cheating on me, and when I confronted him, he hid the car keys and told me to get out. Of course, as always, he was sorry and begged me to stay.
I have asked Will to sell this house so we could buy something that belongs to both of us. I told him it would make me feel more secure. He refused. He also refused to add my name to the deed. Now he yells at me that I only married him for his money.
I told him if he doesn’t make some changes, I am leaving. All I want is some security.
Stay or Go?
Dear Stay or Go: Please go. You will never feel secure with Will. He is not trustworthy and considers the marriage a power struggle that he has to win. He will threaten to disinherit you every time you have a disagreement. He will say he is sorry because he doesn’t want to lose control over you. This is a recipe for years of misery.
See a lawyer and find out what you need to do to protect yourself financially. Then pack your bags. If your sister will take you, we recommend letting her help until you get back on your feet. And please don’t ever put yourself in such a vulnerable position again.
Dear Annie: I read the interesting responses for the nickname Dick. However, what has me more perplexed is how Peggy came from Margaret.
Perplexed
Dear Perplexed: Margaret is a popular name in many countries, but the shortened forms “Meggie” and “Meg” are specifically Scottish.
“Peggy” is a variant nickname for “Meggie,” and “Peg” is the same for “Meg.” Margaret has a huge number of nicknames, including Madge, Maisie, Marge, Megan, Margot, Molly and some that seem less closely connected, such as Rita and Greta (from Margarita or Margaretta) and Daisy (from the French Marguerite, which is also the French name for the oxeye daisy).