DEAR ABBY: I have reconnected with my high school sweetheart. She says she loves me. I love her. The problem is, she’s married. She has grown kids and is raising her 8-year-old granddaughter.
I asked her why now and why me. She said it’s because she never stopped loving me and had tried to find me in the past. I told her I don’t want to break up her home, but she insisted that she’s not happy. She told me that a few years ago she moved out but returned because of the granddaughter. We are both in our early 60s. I’m not sure what to do. I know we have fun together, and I haven’t laughed this much in a very long time. — LONGTIME LOVE IN FLORIDA
DEAR LONGTIME LOVE: Tell your lady friend you care for her, but what’s going on isn’t fair to you or her husband. She has some decisions to make about her future — and possibly yours. Would her husband raise the grandchild if she left? Could she take the girl with her? Do you want to help raise the child? Unless you plan to sneak around until her granddaughter is no longer a minor, stop laughing and get serious.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 48-year-old divorced mother of one adult child and one teenager. I suffered years of abuse at the hands of my toxic ex-husband, and I’m finally enjoying life for the first time in more than 20 years. My elderly parents were also abusive, so my relationship with them is limited.
My parents think I’m going to take care of them when they can no longer care for themselves, but when my son graduates in a few years, I want to move away. I have offered to help, but they insist I should be willing to do more when the time comes. My parents are on Social Security and have little money. My only sibling is worthless and abusive as well, and I know he won’t do anything. What’s your advice? — EYE ON FUTURE IN OHIO