Dear Klara Jane, I'm sorry for your painful questions. The ends of things can be right and painful at the same time. Those of us who've read your work all along know that this relationship started well and in hope, though this outcome seems to have been inevitable since the start of fall. I hope the compassion you're receiving in the comments is a small comfort.

It doesn't seem to me that you were being too picky or unfair because you communicated clearly. His indifference to your concerns is the real reason for ending things, not his weight or hygiene or cat grooming. Those are symptoms of the disease.

I wish the best for you in your search, my friend. I'm rooting for you.