DEAR ABBY: A man I know has been married for 40 years. His wife gets mad at him for small things and stops talking to him for three to four months at a time. Also, he will make her supper, and she’ll make something else. Or she will make supper and quickly put it in the refrigerator. They leave very brief notes about where they are going. During long rides, no words are spoken. If company or their kids or grandchildren come, she puts plates of food out for everyone but him.
Then, the switch flips and it’s a great normal marriage again — with sex and everything else for three or four months. Then it happens again. This has been going on for most of their marriage. But it used to be shorter periods of time — two or three weeks — which I think is also too long to not speak. They have grown kids who come home and haven’t noticed most of it.
When this man confronts his wife during these stretches, she refuses to talk about it. I believe she must be bipolar. A nephew of hers has been diagnosed with it and is being treated. Her husband is ready to divorce her even though he still loves her. He’s not sure what to do. Please advise. — LOOKING ON IN MINNESOTA
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