DEAR ABBY: When I was growing up, my older sister, "Lisa," beat me up frequently. It started when I was 3 and she was 6. The beatings continued until I was 12. Then she started doing other things -- like spraying hairspray in my eyes and telling our parents I did it to myself, or breaking the zipper on my backpack just as I was getting on the school bus. One time, Lisa maneuvered me into the back seat of my brother's car and whispered for him to slam on the brakes. She held on and laughed while I was thrown against the front seat and cut my head.
My parents never said a word to her, and my mother always sided with her against me. I went through years of depression but finally graduated from college and got on with my life.
Now that we are adults, Lisa thinks we should be friends. I think now, after all she did to me, she should leave me alone and let me live in peace. What do you think? -- TIRED OF HER ABUSE IN ARIZONA
DEAR TIRED: I agree. Your sister was a malicious brat, but I fault your parents for turning a blind eye instead of stopping the abuse. I don't blame you for wanting little or nothing to do with your childhood abuser. Under the circumstances, it's a logical decision. The time for building a close and loving relationship was years ago.