GLIMPSES: Testing, testing everywhere in the Olympic bubble

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My teenage mother abandoned me as a baby boy. She left town after dropping me off to live with my teenage father, who still lived with his parents and their large Franco-Manitoban family. I had a good life and was spoiled by him, mémère and all the other kids.

My birth mother moved in with some of her family in another province, and didn’t figure in my life at all. I never saw her or heard from her, but I wasn’t really bitter about that. She just didn’t exist for me, except for a photo or two.

My grandmother, who told me to call her Mom if I wanted, was a great mother figure to me. She and my grandfather really loved all the kids, including me — the surprise new baby.

But now my birth mother is coming back to Manitoba for a holiday and has told people in the family she wants to see me. Why now? To see how I turned out without her? My stomach churns when I think about it. I’ve had a good life and I don’t want her coming back to claim me as her son now.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My girlfriend is a great singer and guitar player, but now she’s gotten in with some male musicians to form a band for playing bars. I’m a drummer, but a terrible one. They found themselves a great one a couple weeks ago, so I’ve been pushed out.

My girl could see I was feeling jealous of her continued band action, so she told me I should still come out to help schlep the equipment to and from the gig. That’s just not happening — I won’t be their lowly roadie to boss around!

So, now what happens to her and I? Let me guess — we break up, and what do you know? The singer guy sees his chance and makes a big play for her. She is a beautiful, talented woman. Help!

— Feeling Anxious, Osborne Village

Smart to walk away

Re: Canada declines to ratify trade deal (Aug. 22)

Let the finger pointing begin!

The article states that “Canada and the U.S. were unable to put the final touches on a trade deal.”