DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, “Kyle,” and I decided to elope two weeks ago. His mother and mine had both said they’d be fine with an elopement. My sister and Kyle’s brother were our witnesses — other than that it was just us. When we told Kyle’s family, they were elated and congratulated us on the […]

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to “Emile” for eight years. We have been together for the last 15. Emile has always been demeaning and sarcastic to me. When he gets upset about something he blames me. This has been going on for so long I don’t know what to do anymore. I am so […]

DEAR ABBY: My husband, son and I live next door to my in-laws. My mother-in-law, “Hazel,” has a set of keys to our house for emergency purposes. For some time she has been using the key to come and go as she pleases, “borrowing” food, dishes and toiletries when we’re not home. When we discover […]

DEAR ABBY: I have gotten myself into a “pickle” and I don’t know how to get out of it. I rent a house with two roommates (both males) and have always followed a strict rule of not dating roommates or co-workers. One night, I came home after having a few drinks with friends. One of […]

DEAR ABBY: “Just Wondering in the Bay Area” (July 26) asked about proper protocol regarding dating after a spouse’s death. A recently widowed man was dating a widow from his wife’s circle of friends. The women were appalled and now shun the couple. Many men and women who lose a spouse have finished grieving by […]

DEAR ABBY: My friend “Brooke” knows everyone in town. It creates a huge distraction when we dine in a restaurant because she is constantly looking around to see who else she knows. When she spots someone, she leaves me sitting at the table to go and say hello to the person. If this happened once, […]

DEAR ABBY: I work six days a week at a minimum-wage job. My boss is constantly finding reasons to hug or touch me. Last week he even tried to kiss me. I left work that night feeling violated and upset. It’s really hard to find jobs right now. I can’t afford to quit or get […]

DEAR ABBY: Like most 16-year-old girls, I have a cell phone. My father pays for it and I’m grateful that he does, even though I live with my mom and he’s a two-hour drive away. He has been paying for it for a year and a half. Every month when I visit him he demands […]

DEAR ABBY: “Pam” and I have been friends since childhood, when we attended preschool together. Our backgrounds are similar and we share the same religious views. About two months ago, Pam suddenly stopped speaking to me. I have wracked my brain and honestly have no idea why. I have called, e-mailed and sent her letters […]

DEAR ABBY: “Cautious Bachelorette” (July 16) asked you how she should respond to a workman who asks if she lives alone. Having worked 30 years in a maximum security prison, I can assure your readers that criminals gravitate toward jobs that provide access to people’s homes as a way of scouting victims, so “Bachelorette’s” concern […]