DEAR ABBY: I am a 26-year-old married woman. "Jerry" and I have been married just a year, but we've been together for almost four. We have one child who is 3 and another on the way.
Jerry joined the Navy soon after our wedding. He met "Hank" in boot camp, and they became good friends and hung out together until Jerry was deployed to Japan. Hank remained here and comes over from time to time to play with our son.
For the most part, I am content in my marriage, but lately I've had strong feelings for Hank. Hank has told me he has feelings for me, too. Now I'm mixed up about everything. I don't know if I could ever leave my marriage, but more and more I can picture myself with Hank.
Please don't get me wrong, Abby. I've never been one to do wild and crazy things, but right now I feel like I have no control over this. Jerry doesn't suspect anything and I don't know if I need to tell him -- after all, Hank and I haven't "slipped." But my feelings are too strong to ignore. Please help. -- CONFUSED NAVY WIFE IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR CONFUSED NAVY WIFE: Your husband is away. You are lonely. You are pregnant with your second child, and you are feeling vulnerable. However, you have more control than you think. You can stop seeing Hank -- so you will no longer be tempted to "slip." If you feel you need emotional support, speak to a chaplain on the naval base. You're a military wife now, and it's important that you stay strong for your husband. E-mail him. Write to him. Keep yourself occupied. Fill your time so you won't have time to dwell on Hank.