Violence ends relationship

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Updated: March 8, 2012 8:03AM

Dr. Wallace: Amanda and I had been dating for over seven months and we were quite serious. Then one evening I did something stupid, and we got into a huge argument. She was yelling at me. When she called me stupid, I slapped her in the face so hard that her glasses fell off. When I took her home, she said that she never wanted to see me again. The next day, her father called me and said that if I ever got near his daughter again, he would cause me great pain.

I really miss Amanda, and I know that she misses me because I think she really loves me. I’m truly sorry for my stupid mistake, and I know it will be hard to get her back. I’m asking you how I’m going to succeed in getting her to forgive me, and I know she will forgive me. I’m not a violent guy. This is the first time I ever slapped a girl. I don’t know what came over me to hurt the one I love.

Nameless, Sacramento, Calif.

Nameless: Your cowardly behavior with your ex-girlfriend is unforgivable. You are fortunate that you didn’t wind up in jail because you deserved time behind bars. Don’t waste your time pursuing Amanda because she’s not going to return to you. Instead, spend your time taking an anger management class, and then behave as a gentleman should when you are in the company of a lady. Consider yourself fortunate that Amanda’s father only threatened you with “great pain.” Some fathers wouldn’t have been so lenient.

Write to Dr. Wallace
at rwallace@galesburg.net