Yeah, you've got me pegged! It's really good to know I'm not alone.

After sleeping on everyone's responses and one through PM, I've come to some conclusions. In reality, my fear of this man's tendency to violence is only a small part of it. My main fear is ME, my heart, my need and my resolve; mostly my heart. One thing my mom was right about was that I wear my heart on my sleeve and beg for it to be taken. It gets broken quite often, although recently not as much because I've managed to cover it with a thin coat of cynicism. Maybe I'm expecting the same results I used to have before the breakup with my husband. Maybe I'm selling myself short. Is it worth it to trust myself and the situation and experience a friendship like I've never had before; to be nurtured, taken care of to a point, to feel cared about and feel free to be the exuberant, boisterous person I know I am deep inside?

Yes, I know there will be disappointments and hurt feelings, but I'm almost certain that those will come from my own doing. This will also be an exercise in "expectations"; when to have them and when not to; when will they be legitimate and when not.

Ok... I've run out of wind in my sails. There's just a gentle breeze blowing right now, enough to keep me on course. I'll give it a rest...

Thanks, Julia, and to everyone else that has contributed their opinions. I value them highly. Not to say I don't want them or need them anymore, though! LOL Keep 'em coming as this develops.