alldenwall:

I thought Prudie's advice was right on. The guy isn't a project, they're not married, she's not required to stage an intervention, here. She's asked him in plain English, several times, quite articulately, sounds like. Enough already- just break up. Plenty of fish in the sea.

Exactly...Now I totally understand the desire to annoy someone familiar. Kids do it to their parents, siblings do it to each other, couples do it later on. But this woman told the guy how she feels in very strong, explicit language; yet rather than be embarrassed and apologetic, this caring, wonderful jackass continues. Dump his ass!