DEAR ABBY: My 64-year-old sister, who lives with my 87-year-old mother in Mom's house (and is partly subsidized by Mom), is verbally abusive and disrespectful to her. If Dad were still alive, she would not dare to act this way.
Recently my sister had the gall to say to Mom, "I'll probably die before you do -- and all of the money will go to my sister!" In other words, she's telling our mother to give her money now or hurry up and die. (My sister's health is OK.)
They won't listen to me, but they both read your column. Could you please publish your opinion? With thanks from ... SIBLING OF A SERPENT-TONGUED SISTER IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SISTER: You didn't mention how your sister and your mother normally get along, or whether your mother is usually able to give as good as she gets. However, from my perspective your sister made a very hostile remark. If your mother is considering parting with money, perhaps it should be spent for some counseling sessions for her live-in daughter. It would be better than spending it to hire a food taster.