I Stopped Chasing Him After Eight Years

My seventh acute gallbladder attack, and once again my boyfriend abandoned me and rushed out into the night.

He'd only tossed a strip of painkillers down by my feet.

"It's not your first attack. Take a couple of pills and get some rest."

"Dot ate something bad and's been throwing up all day. I have to go check on her."

Dot was a dog belonging to Hope Henson, his little protégée.

When he got home and saw me still curled up on the couch, his whole face was full of impatience.