DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Donald," is working out of state. Last week when I called him on his cell phone, someone picked up and said nothing -- but didn't disconnect. So for the next hour, I listened to my husband in a bar with another woman. I heard laughing, talking and glasses clinking. I heard them leave together to have dinner. Then the battery died.
I am hurt to the core. Donald swears nothing happened, that she was just his ride. I'm trying hard to believe him, but when I question him further, he becomes upset and defensive. His answers -- or lack of them -- have destroyed my heart and soul.
Why can't Donald say the right things to take my hurt away? Why doesn't he understand? Abby, am I wrong to be so upset? -- DISCONNECTED IN DEER PARK
DEAR DISCONNECTED: You are not wrong to be upset. Your husband's refusal to give you an adequate explanation speaks volumes.
Laughing, talking, glasses clinking could be considered a "date," and if they were so loaded he didn't realize he'd left the cell phone on, your marriage is in trouble for more than one reason. Schedule an appointment with a marriage counselor. If your husband refuses to go, go without him, because my intuition tells me you are going to need all the emotional support you can get.