DEAR ABBY: I have made a terrible mess. A couple of months ago, I had lunch with one of my father-in-law's girlfriends. He was dating several women at the same time without their knowing about the others.
During the eight years that I have known "Frank," he has been a selfish, womanizing, manipulative, controlling user. Nor does he have a good relationship with any of his kids, including his youngest son, who happens to be my husband.
During this lunch, I foolishly confided my true feelings about Frank to the girlfriend. I mistakenly thought she would keep it between us. Wrong!
Six weeks later they were married and, during an argument, she blurted out everything I had said about him. Needless to say, I am very embarrassed and would like to crawl into a hole. What can I do to repair this mess? I could really use your input. -- EMBARRASSED IN BOCA RATON
DEAR EMBARRASSED: Consider your options, and I'm sure you'll agree that the less said about this, the better. The alternative would be to say, "Dad, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry I called you a selfish, womanizing, manipulative, controlling user -- even if it's true." And in the future, do not confide in your new mother-in-law now that you know she "leaks."