DEAR ABBY: I'm a middle-aged woman, dating a man my age. "Jack" and I are in the entertainment industry. (I'm a dance instructor, and he's a musician.)
When I have a cold, Jack refuses to see me until I am completely over it. He says he doesn't want to get sick. It has been a week since I've seen him. How does this strike you in terms of commitment, marriage, living together, being together as a couple?
I understand that Jack doesn't want to catch my cold, but we're a couple! It feels very weird to me, as though I'm not important to him. What's your take on this? -- IN QUARANTINE IN MORRO BAY
DEAR IN QUARANTINE: If Jack plays a wind instrument, a cold could affect his ability to work. Another possibility might be that colds may hit him harder and last longer than they do you. Your boyfriend could also be germ-phobic or commitment-phobic.
I wish I could give you a conclusive answer, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait until you're no longer contagious, then "catch" it from Jack.