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My advice proved to be right on the money. One day shortly thereafter, he was over at her house checking his email. She told him to get up from the computer and she read a couple items in his inbox. One letter was to a woman that he loved more than anything, that he'd be willing to put an eye out for the sake of her. Another talked of how he was moving in with his ex-girlfriend because she was insane, to help calm her down before being able to move away to be with the girl to whom he was writing. All this, while telling Yvonne to her face how much he loved her and how thankful he was she was letting him back into her life. All of a sudden, I was golden in her eyes. I went up to visit her for a week over Christmas break, giving her (among other things) a book of Shakespeare sonnets and a beautiful pair of sapphire and diamond earrings. She wore her engagement ring with pride. She thanked me for showing her the light. Only five months more and I'd be able to move, and if I didn't make the money I needed, she'd marry me to keep me with her. Only... one tiny thing.... Five months? Alone? She asked if it would be all right if she did find a friend with whom to meet to not be so alone. I consented, as long as it wasn't the ex. She promised she'd never go out with him again. So... she met a new friend. A guy, of course. They went out a few times in January 2001. One Saturday I tried calling her for our weekly coffee, but there was no answer. When I got hold of her the next day, I asked if she was out with her new "friend." She became outraged that I'd accuse her or be so suspicious, and for the second time in six weeks, broke up with me. My family finally felt free to express their feelings. Dad knew it wouldn't work out between us because two of her ex-husbands worked for her... she never knew how to end a relationship. Mom knew it wouldn't work out because the ex-boyfriend was always waiting in the wings, but wouldn't have been there unless Yvonne wanted it so. I was so blinded when with her whether in person, online, or on the phone, that I wouldn't see what all was happening... forest for the trees sort of thing. I not only was heartbroken, but I felt like an idiot. |