DEAR ABBY: I'm concerned for my sister and her three young daughters. She has been married to "Rick" for 10 years. After she recently discovered he has inappropriate feelings toward children, she kicked him out of their home.

Rick has gotten counseling and therapy and tells her it's no longer an issue. CPS got involved, so he isn't allowed to be alone with his daughters. My sister allowed him back in their home with the understanding he wouldn't be alone with the girls. She now realizes he still has a problem, and she's considering divorce to keep them safe.

I'm concerned because she is conflicted. She thinks he'll get better after more intense therapy, but I'm afraid this is his way of not losing access to his girls. I think she should cut all ties to keep her daughters safe. What can I do to help my sister make the better choice for her and her daughters, who are under the age of 10? -- WORRIED SISTER IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR WORRIED SISTER: As long as your sister's children are minors, their mother must protect them, and that includes ensuring they are not alone with their father. Their safety must be paramount. She doesn't appear to realize how difficult pedophilia is to treat. That's why it's important for her to talk with a mental health professional and CPS. Her first allegiance must be to her vulnerable girls, who may need therapy themselves at this point.

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend, "Amy," who I've known since third grade. We both came from difficult family situations, and because of those tough early years, we formed a close bond. We are more like sisters than friends. Over the past few years, Amy (who always struggled with weight) has put on more than 100 pounds.

We live far apart and, although she mentioned "a weight gain," it wasn't until we video-chatted and she was modeling a new outfit that I realized she has become morbidly obese. When my mother went through menopause, like Amy, she gained significant weight. Like Amy, Mom avoided exercise and healthy food. My mother died of a massive heart attack at 57.

I'm scared I'm going to lose my friend. She's pre-diabetic with a host of weight-related health problems. But weight is something that culturally we aren't allowed to talk about, and it's something she's sensitive about because her parents constantly harped on her about her weight, even when she was only a few pounds overweight in her teens.

Do I say something and hurt/offend my friend? Is it none of my business? I love her and I don't want to lose her. What do I do? -- TORN UP

DEAR TORN UP: I assume that because you and Amy have been friends since childhood, she knows what caused your mother's early death. If you talk to her ONCE about your concern, and explain that you are worried about losing her, I can't see how it would "offend" her. Because she is pre-diabetic, I would hope that she is being monitored by her doctor.

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating "Brent" for four years. Prior to meeting him, I was divorced with two children. Brent shows little interest in my kids' lives. He doesn't want us to live together before the kids are out of the house, and he never plans to get married. (My youngest is 10.)

Even if he would agree to move in now, I don't want to move to his city because my kids need to be close to their school, their friends and their father. Brent doesn't want to relocate because it's heavily populated and he thinks my town is geared more toward a younger generation.

I really would like to take our relationship to the next level. I have been trying to do it for four years, but he ignores my subtle hints. I can't imagine life without him. I have even considered getting pregnant to make this relationship go further, in spite of knowing he doesn't want a baby. Advice? -- GETTING DESPERATE IN THE HEARTLAND

DEAR GETTING DESPERATE: You have wasted four years of your life on the wrong man. Brent is centered on himself and would be a negative, disruptive influence in your children's lives. Your first responsibility must be to them. If they were miserable, you would be too. Trust me on that.

As to the idea of "trapping" him by becoming pregnant in spite of the fact that he doesn't want to be a father -- I don't recommend it! You could get a rude awakening and end up parenting a child you didn't really want all by yourself. So start imagining a life without him. It will be a happier one that way.

DEAR ABBY: I have a co-worker I enjoyed talking to and being around. I'm 27, and she is 41. We used to sit together at lunch and during our break. All of a sudden, she stopped sitting with me during the first break but she still ate with me at lunch. Then she stopped eating with me at lunch!

I asked her if I said or did anything wrong and she said no. I asked her if she was avoiding me or had found something wrong, and she insisted there was nothing wrong and I worry too much. So now I sit alone and she sits somewhere else by herself with her phone. I was nice to her. We talked about our day and sometimes shared snacks during the break. All that is gone now.

I know people grow apart, but it stings. Being an adult means moving on, but when something happens for no apparent reason, there has to be an explanation. Can you share your insight on this dilemma? -- LUNCHING ALONE

DEAR LUNCHING ALONE: There is always a reason. Perhaps you should believe your co-worker when she says you didn't do or say anything wrong. What may have changed are her circumstances. You mentioned that rather than sit with you, she now sits alone with her cellphone. It's possible that something is going on with her family -- or her personal life that requires her attention. I know it stings, but you have to let it go. Find someone else to socialize with during breaks. It would be less painful if she explained it to you, but your co-worker may be a private person.

DEAR ABBY: I've been in a relationship with a man I met at work. It took me six months to decide to be intimate with him, and it will be a year next month. Things are going great. The only issue is, he has a wife and kids. (The children are about my age.)

I am young, beautiful and I know I deserve more. But I'm falling in love with this man, and I can't resist our passionate sex life. He's done things with me I've never experienced before. We see each other often, and I enjoy his company.

This is the first time I have ever been a "side piece," and it bothers me that the time we spend together is limited and I can only call within certain hours. I know he likes me, but my feelings for him are way stronger.

How do I resist my yearning to want to be around him or just talk on the phone? Should I change jobs to have a new beginning, or consider a relationship with someone who doesn't have to be a secret? How can I end this when, with every fiber of my being, I want to stay? -- MISTRESS IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR MISTRESS: This affair is going nowhere, so sharpen your survival instincts. Wake up and realize it could go on until he decides to trade you in for a younger, fresher "side piece" he can impress with his prowess. I'm willing to bet you are not his first, nor will you be the last.

Quitting this person will not be entirely painless, but do it cold turkey anyway. You already know how. And if you're feeling generous when you wave goodbye, thank him for the many valuable lessons he's taught you, because you intend to share them with younger, stronger, single men. Believe me, there are plenty out there.

DEAR ABBY: I am pregnant with my second child. My first child is a girl and so is the baby I am expecting. A few months ago, my husband's cousin gave birth to a girl. The baby had a heart defect that unfortunately could not be repaired. She died four days after birth. My heart was broken for not only this baby girl but also her parents. I cannot fathom what it would be like to lose my child.

While I have shared my good news with close family, I have not shared it on social media out of respect for my husband's cousin. I'm torn because this is a happy time in my life and I would love to share my news, but I worry it would be insensitive. I have confided my concerns to a few friends. They are divided about how I should proceed, so I am hoping you can offer guidance. -- FEELING HER LOSS IN NEW YORK

DEAR FEELING HER LOSS: Sooner or later, your husband's cousin and her husband are going to learn about your pregnancy, if they don't already know. The kind thing to do would be to let them hear about it directly from you rather than via a post on social media. After you have spoken with them, you can then share the happy news of the impending arrival for all of your friends to see.