Q: My girlfriend of 18 months and I have a couple of issues. First, she gets upset when I don't call her enough. Second, I've told her I don't allow anyone to leave their things at my house, yet she keeps trying to do it when she stays over. We work together and share a ride to work every day. We talk off and on most days at work, and we talk going to work and going home. I am not a phone person. I don't call family or friends. She is in her mid-40s and I am 56. She gets me 90 percent of the times she calls me. And she calls me any time of the day and night. We have an exclusive relationship, and I really love her, but in a recent conversation she came just short of calling an end to our relationship. These two issues are the only things that she said she has an issue with. Please help with this. She thinks we need a mediator.
Sexcetera with Steve
Steve: The problem here is expectations. Being together for more than a year and at your ages, it's time to decide the future. Does she want marriage? Do you? My guess is the answers are yes and no. But until you find out how wide the gulf is, you won't know if it can be bridged.
Mia: You ever heard the old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks? You're both old dogs. She wants her way. You want yours. Someone has to give in. Who's it going to be? If neither, get ready to start looking for your next girlfriend.
Steve is a 50-something married man who's been around the block. Mia is a younger, recently married woman with an all-together different attitude. They may not agree, but they have plenty of answers. Email S&M@phillynews.com or write: S&M, c/o Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.
