How to Know When It's Gone Bad

 Dear Bitter Single Guy: My relationship with my fiancé is bad. She has been hitting me and our communication is poor. She asked me to move out for a month with no contact, but wants to keep our relationship. So I have moved back home only taking clothes and personal things and have left her with all the furniture which I worked real hard to buy before she came along. Should I take all my other stuff or leave it with her? If I take all my things she will only be left with a lounge and her personal stuff. I really don't know if she needs a break or the relationship is over. -- The Sky Is Falling

Dear TSIF: Whew! The Bitter Single Guy has to agree with your assessment that your relationship is bad! First and foremost, the BSG is going to recommend not printing those wedding invitations just yet. If you and your Delicate Flower are having the tough times you identify here, the stress of a wedding and all the associated festivity could likely push her to further aggression, and that never looks pretty in a bride.

The BSG is in favor of the separation, but (being the cynic he is often accused of being) he also recommends getting the stuff that you don't want to lose forever. Of course, if you're already out of the house, this could be a tough follow up, so you're probably stuck without your stuff until the month is over. At that point, if reconciliation isn't imminent the BSG is going to recommend some tough love in getting your stuff back. Gift her with some token items to augment her lounge (is this like a fainting couch?) and get ready to reclaim what's yours. If the relationship is salvageable the BSG is in favor of some new rules regarding who gets exiled from the kingdom.