Anonymous asked this question on 3/28/2000:

Lately my boyfriend and I have been getting along so-so it angers him that when he calls I am either not home or to far to hear the phone, he talls me that I better be here at a certain time because he hates waiting, and this is so weird because he is so sweet, but his emotional outbursts are a problem.

d_ottr gave this response on 4/4/2000:

Maybe I'm too late in interjecting my response, but let me take a shot at it anyway....

This is probably not the answer you want to hear. But, ma'am, this is one of the first steps in the control game. Placing demands upon you that are slightly irregular, perhaps even absurd, like tethering yourself to the phone or waiting for his beckoning call. You have a life, too, remind him. If he can't accept that, maybe he's not quite as sweet as you think. The next step in progression might be a little more strictness in your whereabouts, and more accountability. I hope this is not the case, but then things have the potential to get a bit hotter, too. Then is when the little acts of violence begin to surface. First it's a slap, followed by penitence- the flowing "I'm sorry's". Then, I'm afraid, it's usually downhill from there. This control game is a danger sign you may want to observe for further progress.....