DEAR ABBY: My son, age 31, dated a woman for a month. On a couple of occasions, she got drunk and became very nasty. He decided to end the relationship and did it in person. Unfortunately, during their short time together, he divulged some personal issues he's working on. She contacted him a few weeks after they broke up. When he didn't respond, she contacted him again and threatened to make his personal issues public. What do you do in this situation? -- CAUTIOUS MOM IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR MOM: The healthiest thing for your son to do would be to continue ignoring the woman. There is nothing positive to be gained by allowing himself to be sucked into a contentious relationship with someone who may be unstable. The alternative would be to have his attorney write her a letter explaining that should she post anything on social media that could damage his reputation (and job, business, etc.), she might be liable for damages, legal fees and court costs.

DEAR ABBY: My husband received a huge inheritance two years ago, and he hasn't given me a penny. He was always a supportive husband until now. Before he received the money, he told me he was going to give me $5,000 and buy me a car. Something changed his mind, and he has become very selfish. When I mentioned this to him, we got into a big argument, and he said he doesn't "have" to give me anything. This has bothered me to the point that it has strained our communication and our marriage. What can I do? -- VERY HURT IN THE SOUTH

DEAR VERY HURT: If you can ask your husband calmly why he changed his mind after promising you a new car and the money, that's the place to start. If that isn't possible, then you and your husband may need help from a licensed marriage and family therapist to restore the level of communication and trust the two of you enjoyed before he received his inheritance. (He can certainly afford it now.)

DEAR ABBY: People are always collaring me, cornering me and then talking my ear off. They drone on and on for long periods of time. Family does it, friends do it and so do strangers. It's a social situation I dread. It gives me a feeling of claustrophobia. Invariably, I can't get a word in edgeways. It's like people feel they have something to prove with me or are desperate for praise. I feel I can't extricate myself without appearing downright rude or cruel. This scenario happens SO often, I sometimes wonder if maybe something is tattooed across my forehead that encourages others to dominate me with their words. What can I do to stop people from chattering at me? -- DAVID IN TEXAS

DEAR DAVID: Here's how: Straighten your backbone. Tell the person, "Excuse me," AND MOVE. You may "need a drink, some food, to use the restroom or make a phone call." Or you may "need" to talk with someone else. The only thing you shouldn't do is just stand there.

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend and I started dating a couple years ago after getting out of long-term relationships. We have kids from those relationships, and she is still in court over custody. We haven't been able to buy a house yet, mostly because of the cost of the court battle, so we live apart and can't spend as much time together as we'd like. However, when we do have the time, she usually wants her kids to join. She says she wants her kids everywhere with her. She has also told me I will never come first. I have custody of my son and want to spend time with him, too, but I think we need to spend time as a couple and make our relationship important. I feel both the relationship and the kids should be priorities, but not always one over the other.

Recently, we learned a band we both love and grew up listening to is coming to our town. We were excited about going, but she wants to buy tickets for herself and her son, because he said he likes the band when he hears his mom listening to it. He is 10, and whenever we do things like this, he ends up playing games on his phone all night. I end up being babysitter, buying drinks and food for him, taking him to the bathroom, etc., which prevents me from relaxing and enjoying my time. The tickets are not cheap, and if we bought them separately, we would not be able to get seats together. She said she's definitely buying tickets for herself and her son and hopes I can make it and maybe she'll see me there. This event is something I felt would be special for us to share together, but it appears she doesn't feel the same. Am I selfish for wanting to spend time with her at this concert, without kids? -- CRAVING DATE NIGHT IN VIRGINIA

DEAR CRAVING: I don't think you are selfish for wanting to have a date night with your girlfriend. In fact, I think one should be scheduled with her on a regular basis. This woman does not appear to be as into you as you are into her. Another thing that concerns me is your statement about her making you responsible for her son when the three of you attend an event together. A trip to the bathroom I can understand, but she should take her son to the snack stand if he wants something. Something is out of balance here, and I hope you will think long and hard before investing in a house together.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 20 years, married almost 10. He is angry with my adult children for not coming to our wedding. (I had told them if they couldn't be happy for me, stay away.) He avoids any social interaction with them. Last weekend, there was a formal affair for my brother, and again, my husband didn't join me. I'm sick of hearing “he is the way he is” and can't suck it up for my sake. He's now sleeping in the guest room. I love him, but I'm sick of the nonsense. Any advice? -- TIRED OF IT IN CONNECTICUT

DEAR TIRED: Because you and your husband are at an impasse, my advice is to seek couples counseling from someone who is licensed to give it. Your doctor or health insurance provider could give you a referral.

DEAR ABBY: My best friend "Owen's" wife, "Shirley," is a narcissist, and she's driving everyone away from him. They have been married for 10 years. I've known Owen since high school. He has always been a quiet, easygoing guy. Shirley is a nightmare. She has berated him at work and has left him by himself on holidays, including birthdays. She orders him around, and she runs everything without hardly paying for anything. I am divorced and I've been through it.

I don't know how to tell Owen that there's a safety net for him. I know telling him his wife is a crazy narcissist and he should leave isn't the answer. She has berated me for “getting in their marriage." My friend is afraid he has no support if he leaves because Shirley has alienated him from all of his friends, and the only family he has are his parents and sister, who live many miles away. She has pushed me away from him as well. What can I say to Owen to make him understand that there are people here who are just waiting for him to ask for help without his feeling I am pressuring him? -- HAS HIS BACK IN FLORIDA

DEAR HAS HIS BACK: There is more than one kind of partner abuse. Although most people associate the term with physical violence, another is emotional. It appears Owen is the victim of many years of emotional battery. Because he is scared, a group that might lend him emotional support is Stop Abuse for Everyone (stopabuseforeveryone.org). It's a nonprofit that provides services for domestic violence victims of all ages, genders and sexual orientations and helps those who typically fall between the cracks of domestic violence services. Please mention it to Owen and remind him that he may not be as isolated as he fears, because his friends are waiting to support him when he is ready.

DEAR ABBY: My family doesn't know I have cancer in my kidneys, and I don't want to tell them. I feel that when the time comes, it comes, but my boyfriend keeps pushing me to tell them. I don't want anybody to be worried about me or my health.

I've been the black sheep of the family since I was a child. Nobody was there for me except my grandmother, but she's no longer living. I just feel my family doesn't need to know anything. Am I being selfish about what I'm going through, wanting to keep my illness to myself and, when the time comes, let my boyfriend tell them what happened? -- BLACK SHEEP IN NEW YORK

DEAR BLACK SHEEP: I'm sorry about your diagnosis. You are not being selfish. If your family hasn’t been there for you in the past, I understand your reluctance to court further rejection. While it might be nice to give them an opportunity to atone for their past behavior, there are no guarantees they will. Your health status is your business and no one else's, so don't allow your boyfriend (as well-meaning as he may be) to push you into anything you don't want at this point.