Jeanne PhillipsDEAR ABBY: I can’t talk to anyone about this (including my husband) because they’ll think something’s wrong with me or I am making it up.
When my son and his wife come to visit or we visit them, there’s always something missing from my house or from my suitcase (when we visit them). When they visit, it’s always small items like a china teacup, a nut bowl or a figurine. After we return from a visit, there’s always a piece of costume jewelry or an item of clothing missing from my suitcase.
The items are always inexpensive. I never see these in their house, so I suspect she just takes them and throws them out. I don’t know what to do aside from confronting her, which will probably cause a rift with my son. I’ve mentioned it to my husband, and he refuses to believe me! Is there something wrong with her? Please help. I don’t know how to handle this. – GOING NUTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR GOING NUTS: Seeing is believing. Before your son and daughter-in-law’s next visit, consider setting up one or more security cameras around your home. If what you suspect proves to be true, your daughter-in-law may suffer from emotional problems that need to be addressed. And when you visit them, make sure to lock your belongings in your suitcase. If nothing else, that may give you peace of mind.
DEAR ABBY: I am recently separated. I just started seeing a guy who was also recently separated and who will soon be divorced. The problem is, he is my friend “Melissa’s” soon-to-be ex. They are breaking up because she cheated on him and left him for the other person.