DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Fred," sees absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that he did not take a day off from work to attend my 94-year-old mother's funeral. He stopped by the ceremony for the graveside service, then left immediately and returned to work.
Fred is an independent traveling salesman who never works more than half a day, so it wasn't like he needed to hurry back to an office or place of business. He didn't even have enough love or respect for me or my mother's family to spend the day with us.
Do you agree with me this was unkind? Fred thinks I'm the one who is being unreasonable. -- WOUNDED WIFE IN COLUMBIA, S.C.
DEAR WOUNDED: Of course his behavior was unkind. It was also insensitive. Regardless of your mother's age, losing a parent is painful and his place was by your side offering emotional support.
It appears you married someone who is usually centered on his own needs, and I'm willing to bet this incident isn't the only example. Please accept my sympathy on two counts: First for the loss of your mother, and second, for marrying someone who would be willfully absent when you needed him the most. Whatta guy.