DEAR ABBY: I work in a confined place with a woman whom I love. I am divorced and was very lonely until I started working with her. She treats me better than any other woman I have ever met. We have a special, non-sexual relationship.
She seems to be happily married and I can never hope to be with her other than at work, where we spend many hours together with little to do except talk to each other, entertain each other and -- well -- flirt. I know she enjoys my attentions, but I also know that sooner or later she'll tire of this and crash me hard.
I have been divorced for three years, and I doubt that any other woman would be willing to take on a divorced man who has weekend visitation with his daughters. I am attractive and intelligent, but very lonely, and my co-worker fills a big void. Without her friendship, I'd have little sunshine in my life.
How can I control my feelings and not be in love with another man's wife? How can I keep my job, interact with a beautiful co-worker and keep my heart in check without hurting her or getting hurt? Please answer soon. I can't afford counseling. -- IN LOVE WITH A PRINCESS
P.S. If any women respond to my letter, please give them my telephone number.
DEAR IN LOVE: Love? Face it, you are lonely. Your self-esteem is below ground level, and you are ATTRACTED to her. That's not love -- that's distraction from your misery.
If any women respond to your letter, I will tell them what I'm telling you: Mine is an ADVICE column, not the "Personals" page. The way to find a worthwhile, constructive individual is to go where worthwhile, constructive people go.