I am just managing to claw, kick, and fight my way out of a masterfully manipulated relationship. I never had one of these before, and it has been scary and awful. This man, I have learned, discredited me with my friends, calling me crazy and obsessive, and then made me feel as though I was lucky to be rid of them when I wondered what happened, why they quit calling.

I became isolated and therefore, needed him more. I fell for all his amazing lines and his vision of our future, all the while he was living a double life I have only in the last two months begun to uncover.

I think we all have blind spots, and that even if we are smart, a good manipulator knows how to stalk his prey, finding that very thing he/she knows will work.

All I can say is that I am so glad so many of you are saying "my 18 year marriage" and using other past tense verbs--YOU GOT OUT. I am hoping, and the signs are there this time, that with the break I started 5 days ago--5 eternally long days ago, I will make this past tense stick.