Dear Amy,
It's pretty clear to me that this is a gay (ie, two women) couple. Even though I like to think I'm a dutiful son, I don't know any guys (who weren't up for sainthood) that would take a 6-month LOA to care for aging/dying parents.
But the odd thing is, that doesn't make any of your advice off-point.
I love you (chastely).
Mike B.
(Any way to purchase signed copies of your new book?)

Re: Mike B. - Why do you think so? Not that the letter is from a gay woman. I see nothing in the letter to indicate whether the couple is gay or straight. But why do you think that a man would not take a leave of absence to care for his parents? Do men love their parents less?

Re: Mike B. I also see no indication that this was anything other than a straight couple. I wouldn't doubt that some of the problems their relationship is having, is probably related to the woman's self-image issues. Not being able to find work and/or failure to restart her social life might be causing some mild depression which is manifesting itself in completely illogical forms of suspicion. I'd say this relationship is over. The guy isn't ready to deal with a romantic partner right now, and the woman seems completely self-centered as well as unjustly mistrustful. Time for both of them to move on.

LW2: Meeting women in a bar is a waste of time to start with. People who hang out there are generally drinkers. This could mean trouble. Why not join a church, do some volunteer work, join a political organization, take out a singles' ad...?

LW2: Meeting women in a bar is a waste of time to start with. People who hang out there are generally drinkers. This could mean trouble. Why not join a church, do some volunteer work, join a political organization, take out a singles' ad...?