Confused In Texas

I am a 36-year-old female. I have been dating this guy I'll call "Louie" for more than two years. He never told me he had anyone else. But one day he let it slip that he had been living with this woman, "Grace," for more than 10 years. I'm not the type to break up a home. Had I known, I never would have dated him. By the time I found out, I was in love with Louie, and he said he felt the same about me. I never knew exactly where Louie lived or had his home phone number, but I did have his cell phone number. Whenever I'd call, it was either turned off or he wouldn't answer. Finally, I called information and got his home number, but I have never used it. Now, two years later, we have a child together. None of his family members know about our little girl. He says he does not want anyone to know right now -- especially Grace. He says she would leave him, take half his belongings and sue him for alimony.
He has given me less than $360 in child support since I gave birth. Louie says if I sue him for child support, things will get nasty. He says he will make my life a living hell. I hardly ever see him anymore. What is a woman supposed to do? I think he's afraid of Grace. I want to sue him for child support, and I have the papers filled out and sealed, but haven't mailed them yet for fear of what Louie might do. Please help me.

Leslie says...

Unconfuse yourself and get a grip. Stop acting simple! At least I hope it's an act. How in the world did you MISS the fact that your loser boyfriend is married? How do you convince yourself that it's OK to date a man whose home phone you cannot have? Or whose house you can never visit? Give me a break! And if that's not bad enough, you proceed to have a child with this man? Your judgement and common sense is lacking and needs to improve ASAP. You have a child now. You can't afford to make dumb decisions any longer. Send in the court papers and make Louie fulfill at least his financial obligations to his child. Ordinarily I would tell you to forget his threats because more than likely he doesn't mean them, but in the wake of cases like Yvette Cade, you should go to the police and at least put them on record. File for a protective order. Louie will have to be exposed (to Grace) for the cheating bastard that he is. But that's not your problem.