Jeanne PhillipsDEAR ABBY: I’m in a second marriage, which was only for the benefit of insurance so my husband could get insurance through my employer’s plan. We were together for many years before getting married.
He received the health care he needed, and I’m ready to move forward with my life as a single person. However, he now says he’s happy being married. THAT WAS NOT OUR AGREEMENT. I am not interested in spending any more time being dissatisfied with this relationship. What he brought to it was not all that I wanted, and he knew this.
I’m ready to move forward, but don’t want to lose his friendship. What’s the best way to approach this? I have spoken to him about another procedure he needs, but he is stalling. – MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
DEAR M.O.C.: You have devoted enough to this man’s welfare. In a marriage, both parties are supposed to be happy, and he already knows you’re not. It may not be possible to move forward and keep his friendship. If he needs another procedure, give him a deadline to have it done. If he hasn’t had it by then, feel free to file.
DEAR ABBY: My grown son has broken up with his girlfriend. They were together for five months. He feels his life is over. His dad and I have been helping him get over it. He has a 7-year-old son who lives with him and we want him to be strong. He calls us every day and he’s beginning to sound like a broken record, repeating the same story.