DEAR ABBY: What should I have said to my new 24-year-old stepdaughter who started bawling when her father and I told her that we had eloped? She wasn't crying out of happiness, or even disappointment that she hadn't been invited. In fact, the first thing out of her mouth was to ask her father, "Did you make her sign a pre-nup?"
Advertisement
Abby, I have never in my life felt so humiliated and offended by someone else's rude behavior. If we hadn't been out to dinner, I would have left immediately. She was sobbing uncontrollably at the table. But I held my head high and forced a smile for the rest of the meal.
Now I'm not really sure how I should act toward her. Before her father and I married, I thought we had a very friendly relationship. I never imagined a reaction like the one she had. I feel it was rude, tacky, inappropriate and cruel. Part of me never wants to see her again. Any suggestions? -- CRUSHED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR CRUSHED: I don't blame you for feeling her behavior was rude, tacky, inappropriate and cruel. But you are all "family" now, and face it, you will be seeing her again. So my recommendation is to recognize that she was shocked, and forgive her candor and loss of control. But don't forget it.