DEAR ABBY: My daughter is graduating from high school in May. She has been accepted to a prestigious university, entirely due to her own hard work and dedication.

My father-in-law recently informed us that his new wife had selected our daughter's graduation present, and they are excited to give it to her. They chose a pink luggage set. My husband and I are mystified about why they decided this would be the perfect gift for our daughter. We know she will be embarrassed -- but gracious -- if she receives this gift in front of our family and friends on graduation day. We would like to spare her the awkwardness and having to return an inappropriate gift.

Abby, would it be rude of us to strongly encourage them to rethink their gift? How do we broach the subject so we don't cause hurt feelings or a rift? We are grateful for their generosity, but we know the gift won't suit our grad. -- MYSTIFIED MOTHER

DEAR MOTHER: I do not advise your becoming involved with this. Warn your daughter in advance what the gift will be so she isn't caught flat-footed on graduation day. If she chooses to exchange the luggage for something she feels will be more appropriate, she should do so. Luggage that stands out like a sore thumb may be easier to spot on an airport carousel, but it can also be more vulnerable to theft than something that blends in.

DEAR ABBY: I have a tough problem. I care very much for my girlfriend. She keeps me in check and does everything for me. However, my best friend's sister and I are extremely close. By close, I mean we have conversations about how things would be if we were dating. We have so much fun together. We never, ever argue, whereas my girlfriend and I are constantly fighting. I legitimately want the other girl, but I don't know what I should do. -- SCARED AND STUCK IN ST. PAUL

DEAR SCARED AND STUCK: You are a free man, neither married nor engaged. Because you have romantic feelings for someone else, gather your courage and level with your girlfriend. Tell her that while you appreciate everything she has done for you, you want to be free to date other people and think she should, too. The news will probably come as a shock to her, but it's the honest thing to do and better for both of you.

DEAR ABBY: My ex-husband recently died, and I have just learned he had an illegitimate son 25 years ago. The son tracked me down wanting to know things about his biological father. My late husband and I had two children before this one was born. So, do I tell my children they have a half-brother and his aunts they have another nephew? -- TRACKED DOWN IN ILLINOIS

DEAR TRACKED DOWN: I see no reason to make any announcements right now. Keep the news to yourself until you are sure that the man wants more contact with his relatives and isn't just looking for medical information that could affect him. You also should make absolutely certain that he truly is your late husband's son by discussing it with an attorney before sharing any news or details.

DEAR ABBY: I can't talk to anyone about this (including my husband) because they'll think something's wrong with me or I am making it up.

When my son and his wife come to visit or we visit them, there's always something missing from my house or from my suitcase (when we visit them). When they visit, it's always small items like a china teacup, a nut bowl or a figurine. After we return from a visit, there's always a piece of costume jewelry or an item of clothing missing from my suitcase.

The items are always inexpensive. I never see these in their house, so I suspect she just takes them and throws them out. I don't know what to do aside from confronting her, which will probably cause a rift with my son. I've mentioned it to my husband and he refuses to believe me! Is there something wrong with her? Please help. I don't know how to handle this. -- GOING NUTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR GOING NUTS: Seeing is believing. Before your son and daughter-in-law's next visit, consider setting up one or more security cameras around your home. If what you suspect proves to be true, your daughter-in-law may suffer from emotional problems that need to be addressed. And when you visit them, make sure to lock your belongings in your suitcase. If nothing else, that may give you peace of mind.

DEAR ABBY: I am recently separated. I just started seeing a guy who was also recently separated and who will soon be divorced. The problem is, he is my friend "Melissa's" soon-to-be ex. They are breaking up because she cheated on him and left him for the other person.

He's a great guy, and it's too soon to tell if this could turn into an actual relationship. Melissa isn't a best friend of mine, but she's more than just an acquaintance. Should I pursue this or stop now? -- CONFUSED IN BROOKLYN

DEAR CONFUSED: When it comes to rebound romances, I advise to proceed with caution, so you don't get hurt. If you like this man, be a supportive friend to him for now. If the relationship develops into something more serious from there, so be it. You didn't cause the divorce, Melissa did, and you shouldn't be blamed.

DEAR ABBY: When restaurant hosts/hostesses decide where to seat patrons, I wish they would consider their mobility. Many times I have accompanied mobility-impaired family members and friends, and the host didn't consider the distance to the table. I understand that restaurant hosts try to balance the number of tables for the wait staff, but surely they can also consider the occasional patron who would greatly appreciate a shorter walk to their table. -- MOBILITY-IMPAIRED PATRON

DEAR PATRON: Restaurant hosts are not dictators, nor are they mind readers. If you or someone you are with has a disability that must be accommodated, inform the host and request a table that suits your needs. If the establishment values your patronage, the employees will be happy to comply.

DEAR ABBY: I recently married a man with kids. I have kids as well. Combining two families is hard, but we're figuring it out.

When we were dating, he would text me during the day to tell me he loved me. Now that we're married, I never hear from him during the day. I have told him numerous times that I enjoyed those texts and how much they brightened my day. He always promises to do better, but doesn't. I tried texting him instead and only got emojis in return.

I came to the conclusion that that's just how he is, and I love him enough to overlook it. Well, last night I needed to use his phone because my battery was dead. When I texted his daughter to pick up something on the way home, I saw that he texts her every day telling her he loves her.

I'm afraid to say anything because I don't want him to think I was snooping or that I'm jealous of his kids, but it really hurt my feelings. I've been hurt in the past, so he knows I'm somewhat insecure.

Should this bother me? My best friend says I may be depressed. Does it sound like it? We both have custody of all of our kids, so it's not like he doesn't see them every day. Their mom is in their lives -- they just prefer not to stay at her house and only hang out with her some. -- TEXTING IN TENNESSEE

DEAR TEXTING: Whether or not this "should" bother you isn't the point. It does bother you. You have expressed to your husband what you need, and he has chosen to ignore it. It's almost as if, now that you two are married, he feels he has "closed the sale" and doesn't need to put forth more effort.

I don't know whether your friend is right in her estimation that you are depressed. But if you are, I can understand why. Rather than brood, tell your husband you needed to use his phone because yours wasn't working, and how what you saw made you feel. It's great that he loves his daughter, but he should also be communicating the same to you.

DEAR ABBY: My wife, "Nancy," and I are working on fixing our marital problems. She confides in an "older wise woman" at church who has been telling Nancy she's a lousy Christian because she stayed married to me.

How can I defend my wife from this defamation of character that makes her feel weak? I told Nancy to avoid her. I have told the older wise woman to leave us alone. Nothing has worked. -- FRUSTRATED IN THE PEW

DEAR FRUSTRATED: Your wife needs a better role model. Point out to her that Christians should not judge and insult others. Allow me to offer a suggestion that may make your wife feel instantly better: Change pews.

DEAR ABBY: When someone anonymously pays your tab in a restaurant, and the staff drops enough hints to reveal the identity of this person, what's the protocol for the recipient? Should I have walked over and thanked that person? My day was definitely made brighter by this kind gesture. I will certainly try to do something similar when I can. -- SURPRISED IN COTTONWOOD, ARIZ.

DEAR SURPRISED: The protocol is the same as with any other gift. A show of appreciation is always welcome, and it would not have been a breach of etiquette to offer one.