After being a single mom for almost 12 years, my life took an upturn, or so I thought, last summer when I met this charming divorced guy, my age, no kids, who immediately took me to meet his family. It seemed like a script from the most wonderful romantic movie Hollywood had yet to produce.

Then, for our ten month anniversary we went for a weekend getaway to NY. He took me to the opera, fabulous restaurants. However, something felt odd, I felt as if we were going through the motions, and every time I asked I was told I was being paranoid. Right.

Monday night we arrived from NY. Tuesday still no word from him. Wednesday, as I am leaving my class at 10PM (I go to law school at night!) I got a call from the wonderfully noble guy-- that he had a little something to tell me but that it could wait. I dove right in and put him on the spot--"You are breaking up with me aren't you?" Silence. Then the most stupid thing a man can say to a woman: "It's not you, it's me". Over the phone! A 40 year old man???!!! What is this, high school? So. I gave him a very good speech of what I thought of him.

Of course I cried the following day...who did he think he was? Oh I must mention this came a week before my finals-and a week before my mom came from the US to meet him-- because he had planned so many things to do with her over different conversations they have had!!!! Needless to say, I have shaken it off. I do not question why he did what he did. I moved on and forward, I already aced one of my classes-- waiting for word on the other one.

I will not be beat by a man who is not man enough to admit he does not feel right in a relationship, I will not even miss someone who was not man enough to FACE me to call it quits-- it is his loss... I hope his friends catch him on his fall when he realizes that he made the biggest mistake of his life. I do not even want to be there to witness that. I will be too busy minding my own business, enjoying my son and daughter, and relishing every opportunity life throws at me.

-- Maria P.