Real Stories - May 2005

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Nowhere was Anna more pedantic than in the home. Although, upon my move to her city, I suggested we mutually agree on a new residence, she dismissed my concerns. Her condominium, she insisted, appealed to her, and thus ought to appeal to me also. She simply felt that the woman in a relationship should have, as is tradition, unfettered authority over all domestic affairs.

I was allowed one bookshelf and half of one closet for my clothes and essential belongings - all the other closets, the dresser, and cabinets were hers alone. I rented a storage unit, to which she held the only key, for the balance of my possessions. She said this was necessary to prevent me from cluttering her living space, spending my money on frivolous things when my focus should be solely on her, and secretly acquiring a stash of pornography. Her private possessions, such as financial documents, were in contrast kept in a locked cabinet to which I had no access.