Best to just walk away from rent squabble

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/02/2021 (2024 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My girlfriend and I were sharing a suite in a house, and signed a lease. She turned out to be a drinker, and drove me crazy. I recently found a new girlfriend, and she invited me to move in with her. I said yes.

The girl I was breaking up with ended up crying her face off about the rent she’d be stuck paying. She made me feel so guilty I wrote her a cheque for half the rent for the three months remaining on the lease. Then she turned around and cut some kind of deal with the lady who owns the house to get out of our lease early, but won’t tell how much she paid her (if anything). She moved right back in with her parents, where she doesn’t have to pay anything.

I just found out about this and I’m furious. I want my money back, but she says I caused her so much “pain and suffering” she’s not giving anything back. She was the drunk, not me! Should I call a lawyer to try to get the money back?

— Dirty Dealing, Downtown

Dear Dirty Dealing: What’s it worth to go after this money? Would you have to go to court, and when would it finally be resolved? A lawyer’s time and advice is not cheap. Look, you cheated on your girlfriend and backed out on the suite you had with her. You only paid half of three months’ rent remaining on the lease, and beyond that she’d be on her own if she didn’t find a new roommate. And your recent ex is suffering emotionally from your affair and the breakup. Why not back off, and just let this go?

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m single and live in a newer apartment block, with a lot of younger people. This guy who wears a black mask is intriguing me. We live on the same floor. If we both arrive at the elevator at the same time, he says “good morning” in this deep voice, and then turns and runs down the stairs.

He’s obviously in fantastic shape, as he’s down those stairs so fast we often meet at the bottom.

I wouldn’t know anything about him except that he has gorgeous, thick, curly hair. Luckily, our chatty caretaker does all her business with tenants by phone, and likes to gossip. I got the word on him when he moved in — also single, works in a medical field and runs long-distance races.

I’m totally turned on by this mysterious stranger, but my hot little hands are tied. What can I do?

— Turned on by that Masked Man, Osborne Village

Dear Turned On: Just say a cheerful “good morning” back, and wait until we get to a time of pandemic safety before you pounce. Since this mystery man is working in a medical field, and he’s careful not to ride the elevator with you, clearly he doesn’t want you trying to get any closer to him. Be totally respectful, realizing that breaking COVID rules will make him run away from you as fast as he can, and you already know he can boot it.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m writing about the possible medical problems causing the husband of Disappointed Wife to have gas problems. (This lady wants more romance instead of her husband’s burping, farting and laughing about it. I suggested hilarity from board games, and some of the new sexy ones available. —Miss L.)

I think he’s made a choice to joke and laugh because what else is he supposed to do, cry? He didn’t do this when he was younger because, as we age, we develop health issues.

Have you heard the expression “listen to your gut”? Definitely, your stomach is your second brain. He must listen to his, and get medical help.

He should look at what he eats and keep track of how his stomach reacts. He may have gallbladder issues, or be allergic to gluten and have Celiac disease; there are so many possible health issues.

To the wife, I say don’t give up on your poor husband. I can relate because I suffered for almost 10 years and have lived it.

— I Am a Celiac, Winnipeg

Dear Celiac: Thanks for offering your kind advice. There’s a chance the husband does have “gut issues,” so here’s hoping he does check his digestive problems out with doctors, and get things righted if there’s a medical problem.

In the meantime, he has no excuse for being rude, forcing his wife to share all his gassy emissions and listen to his rude jokes. He’s turning his wife off as a sex partner, not helping to recapture lost romance. Maybe he doesn’t realize what’s at stake.

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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