CAN THIS MARRIAGE BE SAVED?
Ladies Home Journal On-Line
JOAN'S TURN, Part Seven:
“One of my husband’s biggest complaints is about money. He’s always yelling at me for keeping terrible records. He says he can’t understand how we can still be in debt when he works so hard. I don’t think Nat has any idea what it costs to run a home. And if our children need money, even though they’re on their own now, I want to give them a hand. I don’t think that’s such a terrible thing, do you?
We obviously have our differences. But we're not dealing with them right now. Either he screams at me, or there's silence. We never talk anymore, certainly not about anything important. We’ve grown apart. I go about my business, he goes about his. I can’t remember the last time he put his arm around my waist or gave me a hug. Even his kiss good-bye in the morning is perfunctory. Sometimes he even forgets to kiss me goodnight.
I still care about Nat, but I don’t think I’m in love with him anymore--at least, not like I used to be. And I know the kids are worried. They hear Nat yelling, and they ask questions like, 'Are you and Daddy going to get divorced?’ We can’t go on like this. We have to resolve things one way or another.”
DR. EVELYN MOSCHETTA:
Joan doesn’t consider Nat her ally in any way, and at this point, she seems to have given up hope that despite their long history together, they'll be able to breach the gulf between them. Afraid to confront Nat directly on any issue, she either plays the blame game and holds him responsible for their ever-increasing problems, or withdraws in silence and stews with resentment. Does Nat feel equally pessimistic?
Joan's Turn, Part Two
Joan's Turn, Part Three
Joan's Turn, Part Four
Joan's Turn, Part Five
Joan's Turn, Part Six
Joan's Turn, Part Seven
Nat's Turn, Part One
Nat's Turn, Part Two
Nat's Turn, Part Three
Drs. Moschetta's Comments
