DEAR ABBY: One of my closest friends from childhood, “Penny,” lost her husband of 30 years five months ago, after a short illness. We reconnected via the Internet and have become close again. It has been a blessing. Penny has moved back to California and has been to visit me a couple of times. One […]

DEAR ABBY: “Dwayne,” my boyfriend of eight years, insists on smoking in his bedroom. In our last apartment he’d fall asleep with a lit cigarette and ended up burning holes in our couch, numerous blankets and pillows as well as the carpet. When we moved, Dwayne assured me he had stopped, but a month ago […]

DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced mother of two incredible children. It took a bit of work but after some time, my ex and I have come around to being civil, if not friendly with each other. He has been dating a woman for more than a year and now tells me they will be […]

DEAR ABBY: My father died suddenly a year ago. My sister went to his house and discovered something that deeply disturbed her. Dad was secretly gay. There were lots of materials in his home that I’m sure he never intended for us to find. Personally, I find his interests fascinating, but my sister was unhinged […]

DEAR ABBY: “Mild-Mannered Motorist in Virginia” (Dec. 26) asked you for a hand signal to indicate “I’m sorry” to fellow drivers when he makes mistakes behind the wheel. Not long ago, I made a not-so-serious mistake that angered another driver. When I flashed a peace sign, then moved my mouth in an “I’m sorry,” the […]

DEAR ABBY: I married “Andy” a year ago. He has three children from a prior marriage. He had a vasectomy eight years ago, but promised he’d have it reversed so we could have a child together. He didn’t get around to it, but I’m pregnant anyway. At first we felt it was our miracle baby. […]

DEAR ABBY: At this time of year I have seen letters in your column from couples describing how they met. I hope you will print ours. During a study break one evening in April 1937, I walked to Bruckner Boulevard Park in the Bronx to sit on a bench and watch the cars drive by. […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been divorced for two years and am friendly with a man, “Byron,” whose friendship I value. A few weeks ago we decided to explore a dating relationship. Unfortunately, the past couple of weeks have been busy for me. We haven’t been able to spend as much time together as either of […]

DEAR ABBY: My boss, “Ms. M.,” knows her stuff. She’s supportive, flexible and communicates well about what’s happening within the organization. However, she spends most of her time in my cubicle. She’ll start out in her office and, 15 minutes later, slide into my cubicle to show me her kids’ latest photos or insist my […]

DEAR ABBY: I am 11. My mom is engaged to a man who I think is a wonderful person, but she always questions whether he’s cheating on her. She’s 37. Personally, I think she won’t get another chance like this. Their wedding has been postponed three times because she thinks he’s lying to her. I […]