DEAR ABBY: I am the youngest of four girls. I share a room with my sister, "Noelle," who is the next-to-the-youngest. We fight a lot. Recently, during an argument, Noelle told me our oldest sister told her our parents only had me because Dad wanted to try "one more time" for a boy. She said Dad was disappointed that I was a girl and wished they hadn't had a fourth kid.
I don't know if this is true. My sister could have said it to be mean. It makes sense, though. I mean, what man wouldn't be hoping for a boy after three girls? It hurts me to think that I wasn't really wanted.
I love my dad, and I think he loves me, but I always did have the feeling that he was somehow disappointed in me and loved my older sisters more. I'm afraid to talk to him about it for fear of finding out that it's true. What should I do? -- HURT IN SACRAMENTO
DEAR HURT: If you're afraid to talk to your father, then you should tell your mother what Noelle said. It was nasty, calculated to hurt, and I'd be very surprised if there was any truth to it.
Let's look at it logically. If that were true, then it would apply to sister No. 2 and Noelle -- not just you. Not every man longs for a son. Some are very happy to be surrounded by women and the center of attention.