DEAR ABBY: I recently went through a difficult two-year divorce from "Jayson" after 10 years of marriage. My former mother-in-law, "Violet," now insists that I return the china that Jayson and I received during the marriage. I always thought a gift was just that -- a gift.
Violet insists that the china be returned. She says it wasn't from "my" family. I say it WAS my family -- for 10 years. You see, Abby, Jayson left me. I was trying to work on our problems, but he wanted out. Now Violet is calling me a martyr and saying I have no right to the china.
I have informed Jayson and his mother-from-hell that the china is boxed and in storage, and that I'm saving it for our son. Am I wrong? -- FURIOUS IN VIRGINIA
DEAR FURIOUS: When your son and his future bride are ready to set up a household, they'll want to select their own china. Of this you can be sure. If the china has been in your husband's family for generations, return it. If that's not the case, offer to let your former mother-in-law BUY it back.