Physically and emotionally distant

With Kathy and Terri, Jill found friends with whom she could share her frustrations with her husband. She complained that Mike often seemed distant physically and emotionally. She even told them how she had suspected that he was having an affair with a college friend of hers. But when Jill confronted the woman and Mike, they both denied her allegations, and Jill “chose” to believe them.

Financial pressures

On the surface, Jill’s family seemed to be doing well. But they were actually dealing with major financial problems. They were faced with tax problems and Jill’s salary was being used to pay Mike’s child support, leaving them with very little to set aside as savings. Because of this, Jill couldn’t quit her job to take care of their young boys. But strangely, in early 2001, Mike asked Jill to top up her life insurance.