Meeting with his mom went from bad to worse

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This article was published 09/04/2016 (3510 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I had the distinctly lousy experience of meeting my boyfriend’s mother. He affectionately calls her The Barracuda. Now I know where he gets that. She offered her ice-cold hand and a phony smile so you could see both rows of her teeth right to the back.

“I have been waiting to meet you,” she said while she sloshed her martini around. It was only 3 p.m. on a Wednesday. Her first words to me were slurred — “So you’re affffter my only ssson?” I had no idea what to reply, so I said nothing, while my boyfriend tried to smooth things over by telling me his mom meant to offer me a seat and asked me to sit down.

“I am sorry but we have to go now, but we’ll talk later!” I said, explaining it was just a quick visit this time. Out in the car I told my boyfriend I never wanted to go back there again. “I am sorry but your mother scares the hell out of me and I know why you call her the barracuda.” He said, “Well, she is a lot smarter than you will ever be, and I happen to love my mother.” He said his dad got her hooked on alcohol and now she can’t stop.

I got out, slammed the car door and said,”I guess that’s it then.” He said, “Fine. Then you’re walking home.” They live outside the city just beyond the bus range. I had to phone my own mother to come and get me. Lately this guy has been calling and leaving apology messages. Should I give in?

— Wavering, Tuxedo

Dear Wavering: Your first instincts were correct. Any guy that would leave a young woman stranded on a country road with no bus route has learned his lessons well from his barracuda mother. He knows what she is like. He could have explained a little more and realized you were uncomfortable with his mom and taken you elsewhere, even home. Instead, he was quite prepared to leave you on a road in a vulnerable situation. 

He may be used to women caving in when he apologizes, but you already know this is not a good person for you to go out with. He can be just as nasty as his mom, and he was sober.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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