DEAR ABBY: I have been married to a wonderful man for 28 years. My problem is his mother, "Hildegarde," has always been overly attached to him, so much so that we moved out of state to get away from her.
Hildegarde has now not only moved to our same small town, but to a home just up the street! My husband works long hours, and his mother expects him to visit her daily. If he gets a day off and we do something together, she cries to anyone who will listen that her son "never comes to see her."
This is affecting our marriage. Hildegarde acts like a jilted lover, and I am considering divorcing him to get away from her. Can you please help me? -- TRAPPED LIKE RATS IN COLORADO
DEAR TRAPPED: Nowhere in your letter have you mentioned your husband's feelings about his mother's antics. Surely he must have known she was considering the move. Was he afraid to discourage her?
If ever I heard of a couple who needed couples counseling, it's you two. You must stick together and form a united front. Hildegarde may also need a therapist to help her understand that her neediness is over the top. But exit the marriage only as a last resort, because if you do, you'll be leaving him to her, and she is insatiable.