DEAR ABBY: Several months ago I made a terrible mistake and e-mailed “Tom” — a friend I had a crush on — some topless pictures of myself. Tom rejected me because he is happily married. I am married, too, and when my husband, “Jake,” discovered the pictures on our computer and realized what I had done, we discussed it and agreed to put them aside and never talk about them again.

Because Tom and I are friends and he was doing some repair work on our home, I have spoken to him on my cell phone numerous times. When Jake saw the phone records and realized I was still talking to Tom, he posted my pictures on an Internet porn site for all the world to see and blamed Tom so I wouldn’t speak to him anymore.

Abby, Jake never told me I couldn’t speak to Tom. That he made me believe that Tom was the bad guy is upsetting, even though I was wrong in the first place for sending my pictures to him. Do two wrongs make a right? I’m so upset by what Jake did that I don’t want him to touch me. In fact, I want a divorce. I don’t know what to do. Please help me. — LINDA IN TEXAS

DEAR LINDA: Your husband was willing to forgive and forget the fact that you were trying to start an affair by sending the photos to Tom. When you “discussed it and agreed never to talk about them again,” he took for granted that you would end the “friendship.” And you should have. Your actions weren’t platonic and were a threat to your own marriage. When your husband realized that the flirtation was ongoing, he punished you in a cruel way.

Two wrongs do NOT make a right. And my advice to you and Jake is to sit down with a marriage counselor, figure out where your relationship went off track and decide, calmly, whether your marriage is worth saving.

DEAR ABBY: My son, “Jeremy,” age 25, married his high school sweetheart a little more than a year ago. They live about 4½ hours away.

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When Jeremy was growing up, he and I were very close. Since his marriage I have tried not to call as often as I did when he was single. I do call, but now I limit it to once every few weeks, although he rarely answers his phone. I wanted to let him call at his convenience.

He has told me that e-mail is the best way to reach him. The problem is, he doesn’t respond to my e-mails, doesn’t answer my calls and rarely phones me to see how our family is doing.

I was recently ill and Jeremy didn’t even call to see how I was. I’m hurt, and part of me wants to tell him so. I’m afraid if I do I’ll alienate him, but I feel he’s already alienated. What should I do?

This is really starting to bother me. My son doesn’t call his younger brother either (his best man) like before. Should we just back off and leave Jeremy alone? — IN A SPOT IN VIRGINIA

DEAR IN A SPOT: Your son’s life has changed and he has new responsibilities since his marriage, but that’s no excuse for him not to answer calls and e-mails from you — especially if they are as few and far between as you have described. His behavior is extremely rude, and one can only hope it isn’t because his bride has taken over and rules the roost. You deserve some answers, so by all means clear the air.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby — Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)


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