DEAR ABBY: I’m a widow in a new relationship. I was molested for years by an older sibling. When my behavior became troublesome — skipping school, becoming antisocial — I was sent to a reform school for several years. The sibling was sent into the army. When I was released from the school, I drifted […]
Dear Abby
In-laws offer sweet deal for home with a catch
DEAR ABBY: I am a newlywed. My husband and I are looking for a house to settle down in, but we’re struggling to find one we like that we can afford. My in-laws, who are moving, offered to sell us their house for a very generous price. The house is in a great neighborhood, but […]
Widower wonders if age creates boundary for intimacy
DEAR ABBY: My wife of 41 years passed away four years ago. I’m in my mid-60s. I have sought grief counseling to fully process her loss. The counselor has encouraged me to maintain and expand my peer relationships. The counselor has also encouraged dating, which I have tried, but no romances have resulted. My wife […]
Mother-in-law brings virus into pregnant woman’s home
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are expecting our second child. Our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, so we were overjoyed to find out I was pregnant again, this time with a little girl. We’ve already given her the name “Mandy.” Everything was going well until a month ago. My mother-in-law came over for her […]
Teen son struggles after family’s move to new state
DEAR ABBY: Because of frustration with our state’s substantial COVID restrictions and our teen son’s struggles with remote learning, we moved to another state. At the time, our son was excited to move (we kept asking him to make sure). However, we are now nearly through the school year and he still hasn’t made new […]
Man uses wife’s infidelity to forge an online persona
DEAR ABBY: I ended my 24-year marriage after learning my wife, in addition to several one-night stands, had an affair with a married couple for nine years. She also gave me an STI. I was faithful, though I admit to being difficult to live with. We were unable to agree on parenting, finances, health, fitness, […]
Woman unwilling to relive past agony and abandonment
DEAR ABBY: Several years ago, my parents betrayed my son and me. They took in and supported my ex-husband, who walked out on us for a coworker he was cheating with. My son and I lost our home, our car and the life we knew without support from any family. My son was still in […]
Woman faces uncertainty in marriage, health and future
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married for 14 years and have two kids. Our youngest is 11. For the last nine years, it has been a loveless marriage. Luckily, he works a lot, but when he’s home, I stay in my bedroom. The only thing we do together is eat dinner. Our kids are thriving in […]
Friendship derailed over pandemic-era preferences
DEAR ABBY: A dear friend of many years is currently not speaking to me. She recently moved from California to Denver and had invited me to visit. We agreed on the dates, and I took time off work and booked the flights. Less than two weeks before my arrival, she abruptly canceled the visit, expressing […]
Aging husband wants to screen potential suitors for his wife
Although she has quite a few friends — widowed and otherwise — we don’t know any men who would be acceptable as a future mate after I’m gone. She’s financially independent and meticulous about keeping track of expenses. Neither of us is formally religious. To be blunt, I can’t imagine a better wife for someone […]