Boss’s office hanky-panky fooling no one

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2017 (3231 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m thinking deeply about an old girlfriend I loved so much when I was too young to give my life to her and get married. I heard a week ago her husband had died after a long illness and I wanted to send her words of comfort but they would be self-serving. I am divorced and would like nothing more than to reconnect with her. I know it’s too soon but what if some other guy gets to her first? — Love To See her Soon, Winnipeg

Dear Love: You can send a nice sympathy card for now — perfectly appropriate. Send it by snail mail in a coloured envelope (not red like Valentine’s) so she readily spots it in her mailbox. Put your name and address on the outside, as is expected with real mail. Inside the card, leave your number and email in case she might like to meet you for a cup of coffee some day. She’s already gone through a long illness her deceased husband and she may have done a lot of their mourning together, previous to his death.

She will be curious and might like the chance to say hello at coffee. It may only be that one coffee, but it could be a good conversation after all these years. Or, you might have a series of casual get-togethers and it may slowly blossom into something more romantic. Old boyfriends are not strangers and can be something special. Go on, send her the card and good luck down the road.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My boss is having an affair with his executive assistant and suddenly the glassed-in office has curtains. You should hear the snickering going on! She goes in there for meetings with him and the door lock clicks shut. They always leave the curtains closed now, unless he’s out of town.

The only people being fooled by this are the idiots behind the curtains who think no one knows. Everyone in the office is placing bets.

How does this affect me? I’m next in command, but she has usurped much of my power and is privy to all top-level secrets. He and I may be office-managing, but you’d never know it. She rules him and she rules the rest of us. Her job should have less power, but now she is close to ruling him, too. She is a born dominator. I like to picture her snapping the dog leash on him.

This power situation could come tumbling down if his wife found out. To my knowledge, she has not yet met the new EA, and for good reason. I’ve heard this side of conversations with the boss’s wife and she is subservient: “Yes, Mrs. So-and-So, of course you’re right. You know him so well.” She is sweet as overripe strawberry pie to the wife. What do you suggest?

— Want My Job Back, Winnipeg

Dear Want My Job Back: Anonymity is what has caused your lust-crazed boss to think he’s free to order up curtains in the boardroom and disappear for private meetings. Since you are semi-close to him, mention that the office as whole suspects he’s into something with his new EA. There’s a lot of gossip going around. Just tell him in a nice way, not an accusatory away, and leave it at that.

If he’s not “in love” but has simply got the hots for his EA — and he values his respect and position in the company — you may see the curtains open and staying open, and things might settle down again at the office. How will the couple treat you after that? They might actually be grateful, but my guess is only one of the two will be grateful for the heads-up, and the other one wears lipstick.

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

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

   Read full biography