Ex still devastated by betrayal

DEAR ABBY: I still obsess over my first love, even though we broke up 21 years ago. We grew up in a poor mill town, where I was a frustrated, mediocre athlete. She was a cheerleader. We shar...

Boyfriend kept kids’ ages secret

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating my man for seven years. When we got serious, he told me he had kids. Because we are seniors, I assumed his kids were adults. I recently found out that the kids ...

In-law ‘forgets’ promise made to widow

DEAR ABBY: I am a widow. I supported my husband during our entire marriage with no help from his wealthy parents. My husband died before his father did. After my father-in-law’s death, I rec...

Girlfriend doesn’t need to attend every event

DEAR ABBY: My son is a sophomore in college. He has been dating a girl he met at school for almost a year. Her family no longer speaks to her for reasons I don’t know. I have included her in...

Friendship’s decline doesn’t stop cash ask

DEAR ABBY: My friend “Gene” and I have been friends since elementary school. We're now in our 50s. We were inseparable best friends all those years. When we were about 30, I started noticing...

Wife worries about grieving man

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 42 years. Three months ago, I started seeing changes in my husband’s behavior. He had lost two good friends within two months, so I attributed it to that. ...

Widowed spouse makes special plea

DEAR ABBY: Today I ironed and folded my late husband’s lucky fishing shirt and placed it into a box going to Goodwill. Continuing with the task, I matched up 14 pairs of my good merino wool ...

Husband’s temper worsens after layoff

DEAR ABBY: When my husband, “Wayne,” and I were dating 15 years ago, he would occasionally get angry and stalk off or bust a bag of chips, but after I gave him time alone, he’d be back like ...

Partner choice about to end inheritance

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 67-year-old father to a wonderful daughter. She has decided to stay with her boyfriend, who recently got out of jail for stealing $200,000 from his grandparents. Because of ...

Famous brownie recipe comes with warning

DEAR ABBY: I have read that you have a sweet tooth. I do, too. That’s why I’m interested in your recipe booklets, particularly if you have included dessert recipes. Which ones do you particu...

Daughter told she shares blame for divorce

DEAR ABBY: I am the 18-year-old daughter (and third child) of parents who are going through a divorce after being together for 36 years. I need your insight on this because I am unsure. My f...

Man tells wife to find side piece

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for the last 25 years to a wonderful man, “Frank.” We are very happy in all areas except for intimacy. Frank has lost all interest in intimacy and sex. It bega...