DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend of one year and I have been going through some turbulent times these last several weeks, and at one point we decided to part ways. I was shocked when he handed me a "bill" totaling $1,393.
I admit there were amounts on there that I had told him I would pay back -- but it only added up to half of his total. Amounts like $5, $10 and $20 that I thought he had given in unconditional good spirit were listed on there under months and exact dates throughout the entire year we had been dating. For example, he would say, "Here, Hon, put some gasoline in your tank." I have helped him out monetarily from time to time, but I never expected that he was keeping track of what he was giving me, much less that he'd ask for it back.
Now we're trying to mend our relationship, and I can't get that "bill" out of my mind. He said he wrote it up and gave it to me because he was mad. Now I have a hard time accepting anything from him. I even wonder if this relationship is worth mending. What is your advice? -- CONFUSED IN SAN DIEGO
DEAR CONFUSED: Your boyfriend may have acted in a moment of anger, but he did not compile his detailed ledger on the spur of the moment. If you are looking for a generous man, keep looking. This one is not above using the purse strings to try to control you.