Obligations

So, what is your obligation to yourself, and what is your obligation to others? I have been involved with someone, and everything was going fine. I only saw her every week or so, which is fine, because I just got out of my marriage, and I'm enjoying having some freedom and flexibility, and the prospect of having to look at the same person and deal with all those complications is about as far from my mind as the prospect of getting my nipples pierced.

She is somewhat needy, however, and this has generally not been a problem because she had female friends she cried to. She seems to have worn her welcome out with them, and last night, that left me facing the torrent of tears in the middle of the night.

I care for her. I don't want anything bad to happen to her. But, I'm not sure right now my shoulders are broad enough to be carrying someone else right now. I don't want to get out at the worst possible time, but I wonder if the time might ONLY get worse from here. What I'd like most is to continue to way it is, but I don't think that is in the cards, either.

So, the question is, do I have a higher obligation to me or to her. Of course, just writing this, the answer has become clear.