Annie’s Mailbox: She’s right to leave boyfriend behind

Dear Annie: I am 74, slim and in perfect health. For the past six years, I have been living part time with “Fabio,” my 81-year-old Italian boyfriend. I have supported him through lung cancer and other medical problems. Now he has decided he needs someone 60 or younger to entertain him.

A year ago, Fabio secretly joined a singles group. He attended house parties, bowling groups, theater jaunts, etc., and I had no idea. When it was his turn to entertain at his house, he made all of the preparations alone and did not invite me. Your readers ought to beware of lovers who claim they don’t answer the phone when you call at night because they don’t hear it ringing. It’s quite possible they don’t hear the phone because they aren’t at home.

Fabio sees nothing wrong in what he is doing. He says he thinks of me as his wife and loves me. But, Annie, why would a man who has a companion who loves him and takes care of him try to destroy the relationship? – Moving On Without Him

Dear Moving On: This isn’t about rejecting you. We think Fabio is feeling his mortality and, like many men, imagines that being with younger women will help him cheat death. He expects that you, as a dutiful, caring “wife,” will put up with it. Some women would, but usually because the marriage is sacred to them or provides financial support. Because this isn’t the case with your relationship, you are free to move on and find someone who better suits your idea of fidelity. It’s possible Fabio may someday regret this breach, but we wouldn’t wait around.