Yesterday we met Alicia, whose tale read like a "Count How Many Things Are Wrong With This Picture" puzzle. She's in love with Jeremy, who's been married "at least three, possibly four times."

Before he moved in with her, he'd been living with his mother. Alicia pays for everything: food, gas, utilities, clothes and even haircuts. He pays for nothing, although he will cook her "terrific dinners" if she buys the groceries and the liquor.

He's got a really suspicious dental practice. She's never seen his office. He hasn't paid any income tax for 10 years. He doesn't own a checkbook. He's over 50, and he's waiting for the settlement on his mother's estate to pay Alicia back. He lies to her. He tells her outrageous tall tales. He takes his calls outside. And he wants to marry her.

Alicia, on the other hand, works two jobs and has done well "professionally and economically."

What's wrong with this picture? Everything!

Alicia says, "I've been to therapy. I've seen a psychologist, and I've taken every personality test there is. I'm not depressed, nor am I mentally ill, but I'm afraid to confront Jeremy for fear of losing him. But what do I really have? My son thinks he's a con artist who's only after my money.

"I know that I'm being played. Both my son and my ex-husband tell me often that this man doesn't care about me. I didn't learn my lesson about him the first time when I was 19 and I fell in love. Now at least I realize I'm being used, but I continue to allow it to happen.

"Jeremy doesn't respect me. I believe he thinks I'm an idiot. I stay with him because I'm hoping that there's a shred of truth in what he says and that he does love me, despite the fact that his daily actions show me otherwise.

"What will it take for me to wake up and accept the fact that nothing has changed and nothing will change and that his promises are like the wind? I keep praying that I'll have some kind of epiphany and say, 'That's it!'

"But when I get close to that point, he senses it and lays on the charm and sex. He tells me he can't live without me and I'm right back to square one.

"Jeremy says his other wives and girlfriends were only after him for his money. I'm not a gold-digger. I have tried to show him that I love him and care for him, but it's not reciprocal. I don't feel he's being honest with me.

"Please print this letter, Cheryl, and warn your readers that there are some people out there who are just looking to use another person and take them for whatever they can get. Ask them to say a prayer for me that I come to my senses soon. If this letter can't help me, it might help another person to recognize a similar pattern in herself and get out of a horrible, no-win situation."

Any advice for Alicia? Send your thoughts along with your questions and problems to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my new ebook, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."

Photo credit: Kate Ter Haar