Al,
I am sorry he left, and that you find yourself alone. Hopefully, in time things will cool, and you will work it out. Like you, I have had a real hard time opening up and talking with my mate, and it has at points really strained our marriage. I guess I dont have any magic advice, if such a thing even exists.
Look, we know that to have successful relationships we need to be open and honest, and that our inability to do that will eventually destroy everything we have. For me I try focusing on that when I want to express myself, and I am getting better at it. It is like most things in life, you have to decide this is something I am going to do no matter what, and force yourself to start talking.
There are things that need said, and there will never be the right time, or the right words to express them. I used that as an excuse to keep silent, but I could always find a reason not to talk if I wanted to. Then I started reminding myself of my first wife, and how that very thing destroyed us. I love Deborah, and I wont allow it to happen again. No matter how much I choke on them, I have begun forcing myself to talk about anything, everything. It is amazing how the trivial will often turn into a deeper discussion about needs and wants.
A time came when I realized that I couldnt keep living for the past. At some point, I had to live for the day, and own my part in it. I cannot undo what has happened, but I can do make this day right. At first I didnt go back, I only began expressing myself on current topics and questions, but over time as I opened up, more and more has come out. Dont get me wrong, I still struggle, and there is a lot about my abuse she doesnt know, but we are getting better.
Ask yourself this, how much do you really love him if you cant tell him everything and get love and support? Do you really think he would give you less? When I finally started talking a few weeks ago, I saw that all the fears I cooked up were all in my mind. Marc isnt going to stop loving and supporting you just because you were abuse, and he isnt going to think any less. That is what love is, acceptance and support. If it is true love those things should be there. I send you my best wishes, and hope it works out for you guys.
Jeff