DEAR ABBY: The letter from "Still Crying in Fairmont," whose fiance, "Mike," rejected her after she had spent a year caring for his sick mother, really hit home with me. I was asked to come to Colorado from the Northwest to help a man who had some development property. "Cary's" affairs were in a mess. He hired me, and I tried to straighten everything out. He promised to pay me after everything was taken care of. Like Mike, Cary pledged eternal fidelity and promised we'd have a wonderful life together. I worked long hours every day for six years for him.
Cary received some death threats, and I even risked my life for him. I protected him because I believed him. I spent 18 months in prison because I refused to testify against him. Guess what? When I was released, I came home and found he was living with another woman! He told me he had never cared about me, and has since tried to make me look like the bad guy.
I have cried a bucket of tears and am ashamed for having been taken in. My life has been torn apart, and I ended up with post-traumatic stress syndrome. I finally realized that Cary has done this to people all his life. Well, enough was enough! I sued him for what he owes me. No judgment has been rendered, but I do have a trial date.
Abby, men like Mike and Cary are the worst criminals of all. Not only do they take everything you have, they break your heart.
I have been sick emotionally and physically, and cannot seem to get over it and have turned to God for his guidance. -- DEVASTATED IN DENVER
DEAR DEVASTATED: You have my sympathy. There is give- and-take in all relationships, but it's supposed to be a two-way street. It's clear from your letter that you did all the giving and Cary did all the taking.
I'm pleased that you are finding comfort in God. I can't think of a more potent combination than God and a good lawyer. I hope you nail the buzzard.