The Strawberry Letter: What Does I Need Space Mean?

Dear Steve and Shirley,

I've been with my boyfriend for seven, going on eight years, off and on. He's broken up with me three times because he says I'm not domestic enough or because I say the wrong things when he asks me to do things. Then he'll call so we can get back together.

Just recently, I moved back in with him, and he got upset that men were speaking to me at a motorcycle event when he left me alone for hours at a time. Mind you, these men were not hitting on me at all, and he knew one of the guys. The guy told him we were all just hanging around and talking, but the whole time, he was over with a group of women showing off his bike. He said that the bike is a different world, and he is allowed to do anything he wants while he's out riding. He said because it's his thing and I'm new to it, I have to respect him and stop talking to other men when we're out. He decided to pay me back by staying out the next night until 4 a.m. He wouldn't tell me where he went or who he was with.

After two weeks of not speaking, I decided to approach him. I told him we have a lot of unresolved issues, and he doesn't value me as his woman. He didn't say a word; he just stared at me, so I left the house for a few hours.

When I got back, he told me that he needs space. What does that mean? He is 55 years old; I am 45. I have no idea what "space" is for a 55-year-old man. To make it worse, he tried to be all lovey-dovey with me that night. I went to sleep in the other room. I have been rather cold since then, and he hasn't said much to me either. Do I need to move out for good, or should I wait to see if this blows over like it always does? Please help.