Dear Gwendolyn: Six months ago, I met a girl who was having a hard time. She told me that she was trying to complete her college education and needed a roommate. At the time, I was living in my parents’ basement. They had renovated it and gave me my privacy. I should have stayed there. But, I met this girl and wanted to help her. So, I moved in with her and now my life is a nightmare. What can I do? Last week, she went to the mall and didn’t come in until the next morning after the sun was up. Her three year old had a high fever and when she came home drunk, I had to take him to the hospital.
When it was time to pay the rent, she didn’t pay her portion. I had to take the money from my savings account.
Alice
Dear Alice:
Go back to your parents’ basement. Stop listening to sad stories. People misuse nice people like you – and they don’t care. Explain to her your parents need you. I say this because so many times roommates become violent even to the point of committing murder.
Let me tell you this: You really need to change your heart. I recently had a long conversation with my daughter informing her to watch her kindness. I do not become taken in by sad ‘down on my luck’ stories. Well, not anymore. It is not wise for a single woman with no children to move in with a woman with children. Think about it. She knows you will not let those little darlings be cold, so you pay the heat; you will not let those little darlings go hungry so you buy the food; and babysitting – I won’t even go there!
Alice, single life being alone and single life with children is — a different life. (Copyright © 2011 by Gwendolyn L. Baines)
