DEAR ABBY: A few months ago, I found out my husband had a two-year affair with my teen-age sister. The affair began with my husband raping her, but she didn't disclose it and she didn't discourage him when he approached her again for sex.
At first he denied everything. He had always been basically a good husband and father, so I believed his denial. When I found out it really happened, I told him it was disgusting and could land him in jail. He apologized, saying it was a "mistake" and asked me to forgive him. I couldn't accept his apology and filed for legal separation.
He calls me daily asking for forgiveness and begging me to take him back. My friends, who don't know the whole sordid story, say I should forgive him and take him back. My family says it's the "Christian thing to do."
Abby, I don't miss him, don't like him and don't want him back. But I have no moral support except for our children, who don't want me to take him back. In spite of my feelings, I'm considering letting him come back to get him and everyone else off my back, and also because I'm afraid I will be alone the rest of my life.
I'm completely self-supporting financially, so that is not the issue.
If you were me, what would your decision be? -- UNDECIDED IN ILLINOIS
DEAR UNDECIDED: A two-year affair with a minor is far more than just a "mistake." Your husband may be guilty of statutory rape, and your sister may need counseling to cope with the trauma of having been molested.
Were I in your shoes, I not only would refuse to take him back, I would also see that my sister got counseling, and encourage her to report the rape and subsequent sexual abuse to the authorities.