The woman I was with said something to the effect of “Well, I can’t do anything with that, now can I?”

The A.V. Club

I'm sorry to read this. Hugs, and I really hope you two can figure it out soon and come out of the limbo.

The stoicism (on both our parts, I suppose) is such that I don't even know if we're going out. And it's been several months.
I'd be thrilled to talk about it if he brings it up, but I don't currently have the courage to be the initiator in this case. I don't want to burst the bubble if I've misread the situation.

That's extremely upsetting.

I have been on mute a lot lately because I have so much shit to work out on my own currently that I not only don't want to bog down the guy with, but also, I really want to be able to work through this without depending on someone. I mean it's good to have support if you need it; but in my particular current case, it…

Same here. I don't know how people manage it, but I guess it's just a very different emotional style.
I get attached.

I think it's never something I've considered to have anything to do with me, but thinking about your reply I can see myself interpreting it in that situation as "I have sexual desire, just not for you anymore" and yeah, that would be hurtful. :/

Oh yeah, I can see that.

I'm a little confused about some of the wording in the letter from GIC. "Busted?" "Booby-trapping"? "Up to his tricks?" What tricks? Masturbating?
Is this something that bothers people that their s/o's do?

Are you me?

Well, if you're given to spontaneous gestures of affection a little later in a relationship you form, your significant other will much appreciate your thoughtfulness for sure! Not that you have to shower them with gifts, but showing someone you're with that thinking of them/remembered something they liked or that is…

I thought about what I would say to her. I wish this was all effortless for me, as it seems to so many others. The fear of rejection, that I'll say or do something stupid, that she'll see right through me, all conspires to make even a simple conversation seem to my inner monologue like a trek through a minefield.

It's a Parks and Rec quote

I was actually gaslit for a few years as a child, and it fucked me up for a very very long time (and still does, even though I haven't seen or spoken to that man in over 15 years).
So I get majorly aggravated when people use it interchangeably with "this person led me on a bit" or "things didn't go my way". No. You're…

Yeah, I really wonder what she was hoping to hear here.

I'm so sorry :(
And I also agree.

It's nowhere near stupid or petty to reflexively think of your own children with news like this.

Sad upvote.

I'm so sorry :(