Cheaters Can’t Fool Most People

Sat., June 21, 1997

Cheryl Lavin Chicago Tribune

You may not have your own million dollar mansion, celebrity lifestyle, picture-perfect children or orange hair, but you and Kathie Lee Gifford may still have something in common: A cheating spouse.

At the moment, Kathie Lee is hanging tough. What would you do?

Terri: “The first time Jim cheated, we were married a year and I was five months pregnant. I caught him in our bed with a co-worker. I left.

After our son was born, we reconciled. He cheated on me three months later. This pattern continued. We would separate and reconcile. It was always my fault and I spent years feeling guilty because he was unhappy with me.

“One Valentine’s Day, he brought home a huge heart balloon and candy arrangement. I always thought it was from one of his girlfriends.

Once after a weekend away, he gave me flowers in a mug with a rainbow on it. A couple of weeks later, I found a card with a rainbow in the trunk of the car. It said, ‘Thanks for last night.’

“After not seeing him or hearing from him for a week, I called his work and was told he was vacationing in Hawaii. After he supposedly visited his family, I found photos of him and our neighbor on a cruise.

“Shortly after our divorce was final, Jim remarried. I had no contact with him, except at divorce proceedings. His wife always accompanied him and glared at me.

I wasn’t surprised when she showed up at my work and told me she was divorcing Jim. He had repeatedly cheated and blamed her. This closed a bad chapter in my life and I no longer feel guilty.”

Diana: “What every cheating man should know is that nine out of 10 women are not fools. We know what’s going on and we either stay for the sake of the children or don’t care. Sometimes we have no place to go or think we can’t do better.

“I moved in with a man four years ago. He told me his last relationship was over but I knew it wasn’t She calls him everyday. I’ve even caught him calling her. They see each other several times a month. I don’t love him and he doesn’t love me.

I just wish he would be honest with me. He’s going to do what he wants to do anyway. And now I’m doing what I want to do. What’s good for the goose, etc., etc. Meanwhile, I’ve got him paying the bills, while I sock my paycheck away and wait ‘til I’m ready to split.”

xxxx

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