Letting sis move in could settle things

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/02/2022 (1372 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My live-in boyfriend has been in a suspiciously good mood during the pandemic. I thought it was his resilient nature, but then found out why he’s actually so excited about his life: He’s been running two girlfriends. How do I know? I took it upon myself to do his laundry. I found some paper bits in a deep jeans pocket. One had lots of Xs and Os and an oddball first name. I knew exactly who it was!

When he came home, and I went off on him, he said way too quickly, “OK, I’ll move out.” Obviously he had an alternative waiting for him.

I said, “Let me help you” and started tossing his stuff into the hallway outside our door.

Now I’m stuck with his half of the rent, and only working part-time now. I’ll barely be able to eat in two weeks. It was my place with only my name on the lease.

Now my family knows and my younger sister desperately wants to get away from the parents. She’s willing to sleep on my pull-out couch. Should I let her, or is this just an act of desperation I’ll soon regret?

— Broken-hearted, Osborne Village

Dear Broken: As long as she has job, welcome little sister in! The pandemic makes it a difficult time to find trustworthy apartment mates in a hurry, but your sister will be company you can trust and she loves you enough to be very careful about COVID. Enjoy this little pocket of time with her, as it may never come again. Even if she only stays a few months, it allows you to breathe and eat.

The downside? It’s likely you’ll both get sick of the couch situation. A small TV in both rooms will help when you want some privacy with entertainment, or you want to talk freely to friends on the phone.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: You missed a chance to call out cruelty in your response to “Love My Cat.” (A guy’s date secretly shut his cat outside in -30 C temps, while they were playing in the bedroom. He found the cat on the back stoop, half-frozen, and his date went home in a cab ASAP. —Miss L.)

Putting out a cat in -30 C temperatures, with no intention of letting it back in, is pure cruelty bordering on psychotic behaviour. This woman would show the same disregard for all sentient beings, in my opinion.

I have a minor quibble with the much-used phrase “cat-lover,” as if you need to be a lover of cats to exhibit decency. All animals, people and nature deserve kindness. Thanks for your column. I can tell you put a lot of work and kindness into it.

— Love All Sentient Beings, Manitoba

Dear Love All: Thanks for writing. All creatures great and small deserve caring treatment. We must always watch out for our furred, feathered and scaly friends — especially when new people are over. It’s surprising how many people don’t love other people’s pets.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I felt depressed when I took my Christmas tree and lights down, and the dreary atmosphere persists. We used to plan Valentine’s Day events and parties here at the house, but what can we do now with COVID? The little kids and I are getting bored in the house.

— Restless Mama Bear, Fort Richmond

Dear Mama Bear: Teaching kids how to create parties is a life skill! Pull the red Christmas lights back out, add a white string, and get the kids to help put them up for Valentine’s season. Hit the dollar stores for red, pink, and shiny paper for cut-out heart decorations, and get a book of Valentines to send to friends, grandmas and neighbours. That’ll get everyone in a better mood ASAP. The topper, of course, is baking a heart-shaped Valentine’s cake or cupcakes just before Feb. 14.

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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