Good advice for everyone -- teens to seniors -- is in "The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
Viagra Is Clue to Dysfunction in Marriage of Convenience
DEAR ABBY: I found a box of Viagra in my husband's pants pocket while I was sorting the laundry. The box had a prescription label with the date and his name printed on it.
My husband and I share the same bed, but have not been intimate for more than 15 years. Our marriage is a marriage of convenience, not love. We are barely civil to each other.
From experience, I know that if I confront him, he will lie and fabricate a story. This is the second time in five years that I have found Viagra. Where do I go from here? -- ANGRY BEYOND WORDS, OTTAWA, CANADA
DEAR ANGRY BEYOND WORDS: The first place you should go is somewhere quiet, where you can cool your anger and ask yourself some important questions:
(1) Why have I tolerated a loveless marriage of convenience for more than 15 years?
(2) Am I better off with this man or without him?
Once you have answered those questions you will know whether to consult a marriage counselor or a lawyer.
P.S. Freud said there is no such thing as an "accident." If you decide to reveal to your husband that you found the stash he left in his pocket, would you please let me know what kind of lies he fabricates? I'm sure my readers are as curious as I am about what kind of story he can come up with.
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend (age 17) and I (age 14) are having "issues." Lately he's always pushing me around, telling me what to do and exactly how to do it. I try my best, but sometimes it doesn't cut it for him -– and I just don't know what to do.
I want to salvage our relationship, so sometimes I try talking about it. But he either doesn't want to listen or blames everything that goes wrong on me. The only time he's ever actually nice is when he wants to have sex, or think about it, or talk about it. I'm really uncomfortable with this, and I told him that. Then he "sweet talks" me, and I stand firm, but he just gets angry and hostile.
I know at our age we are going through so many hormonal changes, but I still don't think it's a good excuse for his immature behavior. But I love him soooo much -– and I'm just so lost! What can I do to keep our relationship from going over the edge? -- IN LOVE IN ANDERSON, S.C.
DEAR IN LOVE: Although you say you love this young man, he is not acting like someone who loves YOU. The behavior you describe is abusive and coercive, and if you continue to tolerate it, it will land you in serious trouble. You may "love" him, but you have to take care of yourself -– and the surest way to keep the relationship from going "over the edge" is to end it.
DEAR ABBY: I'm a 24-year-old graduate student and I'm currently planning my wedding. I don't own a cell phone. When I try to arrange plans with people or contact various wedding vendors, they'll ask for my cell phone number to get ahold of me later. When I reply that I don't have one, they act annoyed –- as if I'm inconveniencing them because they might not be able to get ahold of me the instant they call.
Abby, when I'm not at home I am usually someplace where I wouldn't answer a cell phone anyway, so I don't think it makes a difference if I have one or not. How do I reply to people who are astonished that someone could possibly get by without a cell phone attached to her hip? -- CELL-LESS IN WISCONSIN
DEAR CELL-LESS: Smile and say, "Just call me an old-fashioned girl." You are not obligated to explain further.
Lonely Grandma Spends Her Time Complaining About Her Plight
DEAR ABBY: I am 34. My last living grandparent is my grandmother, "Gladys," who is 87. Ever since my grandfather died eight years ago, she has been depressed without showing signs of getting any better. The only thing that gives Granny Gladys any pleasure is seeing her family -- but it's never enough for her. No matter how often she sees anyone in the family, she tries to make us feel guilty for not spending more time with her.
I moved to another state last year, and whenever Granny Gladys calls she tries to make me feel guilty for moving. She has no interest in making friends, and if I suggest she join a senior citizens group, she complains that "all old people do is gripe about their aches and pains," and she doesn't want to listen to people complain all day. But Abby, all my grandmother does is complain about how lonely she is!
How can I ease my guilt about moving to another state? And how can I help her to be less depressed and stop laying guilt trips on our family? -- WORRIED ABOUT GRANNY, MORRISVILLE, N.C.
DEAR WORRIED ABOUT GRANNY: You appear to be a sweet, caring person, but it should not be your responsibility to lift Granny Gladys out of her eight-year "depression." Your grandmother appears to be prejudiced against people of her own generation. Many women are widowed after long marriages and go on to live satisfying lives.
You know as well as I do that older people do a lot more than "gripe about their aches and pains." As their health permits, they donate time to the community, socialize and keep themselves active and involved.
Your grandmother appears to have chosen to do none of those things. In fact, she seems to be happy in her misery. So please don't try to change her -- because if you succeed, you'll take away what appears to be her favorite topic of conversation.
DEAR ABBY: I am a daughter of two parents who, until recently, have been the best parents a girl could hope for. I graduated from high school and was accepted into a prestigious college in New York. I attended the school for a year, and my grades -- like those of many freshmen -- were not exciting.
During the second semester, my father lost his job, and so I finished the semester and dropped out of school. I no longer attend college. I am working part-time now, using the other time to look for a second job.
At family gatherings, my parents continue to say I attend this prestigious school, that I am "doing great" and that I'm almost done with college. I am not hurt as much as I am ashamed. Are my parents ashamed of me and my current "non-student" status? What should I do? -- DENIED IN N.Y.
DEAR DENIED: Your parents may feel ashamed that they haven't been able to pay for your education as they had planned, but I don't think they are in any way ashamed of you.
With one year of college under your belt, it is important that you complete your education. Because you can no longer depend upon your parents to pay for it, my advice is to pay a visit to the financial aid office of the school you were attending and see what you can work out. Your local library is also a terrific source of information when researching scholarships for which you might qualify. Please don't wait any longer to do this.
To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)
Fiancee Is Ready to Break Up With Soldier on Extended Tour
DEAR ABBY: I need your advice on how to break an engagement with my fiance, whose tour of duty in Iraq has been extended four more months. He has been there eight months, and during his absence, I met someone else I would like to start dating.
I didn't want to stress out my fiance, and I wanted to wait until he returned to talk to him, but now I feel too guilty, so I need to address it soon. Please help me. -- FEELING GUILTY, MEMPHIS, TENN.
DEAR FEELING GUILTY: It's time to grow up and think about someone other than yourself. There is something more important right now than assuaging your guilt. It's making sure that nothing distracts your fiance from the job he is doing -- and will be doing until he is safely back home.
Under no circumstances should you write him a "Dear John" letter or tell him anything that could unnerve or depress him. If you feel guilty now, how do you think you would feel if he was injured or killed after you dumped that kind of news on him? I can't stress strongly enough how important it is that you put his feelings first right now. What you have in mind can wait until his tour of duty is behind him.
DEAR ABBY: I have a friend, "Libby," who has a lot of personal problems. She recently confided that I am the only person who keeps her going day to day. She has attached herself to me because of my "step-on-me" personality, and I have allowed it.
I don't mind her telling me her problems, but she's putting too much pressure on me by making me her crutch. (Without me, she would fall permanently.) Please don't think I am selfish, but I have a lot to deal with personally in my own life.
How can I lessen my load without cracking her fragile personality? -- STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT IN WYOMING
DEAR STRETCHED: Lighten your load by no longer allowing your friend to put off resolving her problems by confiding them in someone who isn't equipped to help her. Libby needs a licensed psychotherapist. If she can't afford one, please tell her (kindly) that help is available on a sliding-fee scale through your county department of mental health services or social services. Take her to her first appointment if necessary, and then start backpedaling from there.
DEAR ABBY: I have been widowed for more than two years, and a nice man has asked me out. We hit it off great, but I have one problem.
A friend of mine dated him years ago, and it didn't work out. She is now happily seeing a man she has been involved with for almost two years. She says you don't date a friend's past date. I think she's being childish.
I believe this man and I will have a good relationship, and I don't want to lose him because of this. She will find out eventually, and I can't decide if I should take the chance of her not knowing for a while and see how it goes. In any case, I may lose her.
Am I wrong? I have been out of the dating loop for 21 years and this is all new to me. I'd appreciate your opinion. -- UNDECIDED IN BROCKTON, MASS.
DEAR UNDECIDED: I see no reason to make any announcements to anyone right now. Keep dating the man and see where it leads.
Because your "friend" has been in a satisfying relationship for nearly two years, she should be happy that you have met someone and "clicked." If she isn't, then she is not your friend, and your question is moot.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS, and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)