To the editor:

Dear Diary: It was a rough week. On Monday my boyfriend dumped me. Not even the kind of dumped where you get the explanation, the apologies, the “I need some space to think some things through.” This was the dumped on your butt kind of dumped; 15 years of romance right out the window.

Oh, sure, other women had tried to steal him away, but I was never really worried. We were solid, we had fun together, we had love. There was a scare a few years ago when his high school sweetheart showed up at his doorstep, but we got past that, and I thought she was out of the picture. Should have been watching my back. Last week I got home and found a message on the machine, “I’ve left. I’ve always loved her and realize now that I always will. Thanks for the good times.” Blew me away. Had I always loved him more than he loved me?

Like I said, it was a rough week, but I am starting to feel better. Even met a new guy today. His name is Bill. We’ll see how this one works out …

Gretchen Ploehn,

Lawrence