Dear Steve,

I just found out that my girlfriend of three years (we're both 23) recently decided to leave me. Our time together was both great, but also quite rough. We had fights over small things and they got worse over the years. She has accused me from time to time of being mean or rude to her when she's upset. I feel like she misinterprets my meaning and tone.

Recently we got into an argument. She said I was being mean, and I asked how was what I said mean when I was just asking a question. She got upset and said, "Don't ask why I'm mad if you’re just going to turn it around on me." This led to me being frustrated. At that time, I was doing laundry, and I start pulling the clothes out (I was being aggressive about it out of frustration), and some of the clothes hit her and she assumed I was throwing them at her.

Things devolved from there and she told me to leave her alone. I got more frustrated and left to go to the bar, which I don't do much at all. I was frustrated and needed space. She left my clothes in the laundry facility at our apartment and locked me out. Then the next day sent me pictures of our used condoms and accused me of using them with other women. She skipped town to go to her mom’s and continued to text me all the things I always do wrong and how abusive and mean I am. She said she'd pack her things and come get them next month.

I get upset and irritated when she doesn't let me explain the things I say. She won't meet in the middle and would rather have me apologize and take the blame for everything. She has yet to apologize for what she has done, accusations and all. I have apologized for my attitude four times through text. She's blocked me on social media and deleted all of our pictures together. Is there any hope?

– Frustrated