Where Do I Go From Here?

Dear Michelle Valentine,
I'm 29 years old and for the past year I have been dating a 35 year old man who has been divorced for over 2 years now. He's a very nice guy and we have fun together when we go out (when we go out; he's very financially strapped now). Although I'm doing all the "right" things, like not calling him too often, being very supportive of helping him get over his divorce, and spending weekend time doing things with him and his children, I'm really confused because our conversations revolve only around him and his problems, his ex-wife, and he avoids discussions about our future together. Where do I go from here?

Elizabeth, Oviedo

Dear Elizabeth,
You may be involved with a nice guy that just isn't really available because he's still caught up in the trauma of his divorce and former life. Tracy Cabot describes this type as "the cripple" in her book, "How to Make a Man Fall In Love With You". Here's what she has to say about him. "Just divorced, he's an emotional basket case. It's certain that you don't want to be the first woman he gets involved with after his divorce. He's still bleeding and too involved with his own pain and losses to make a good mate. He's worried about his ex-wife, the guy she's sleeping with, what her lawyer's taking away from him, the house he already lost, the kids he doesn't know if he'll be able to keep seeing and how he's going to make those alimony and child support payments..." Sound like your guy? Other signs of "the cripple" indicate that he is not rebuilding a life: "he lives in a large singles complex with a "ready renters" package of plastic plates, tin silverware and Army surplus cups, and his finished studio apartment doesn't have a book or picture in sight. It's devoid of healthy emotions, personality or commitment... just like him." Two years is a long time for your man to still be focused on problems and the past. It's time for you to consider moving on.

Amore till next week