DEAR ABBY: My niece and I’ve at all times had a robust bond.
Her son and his spouse have been anticipating a child. They didn’t wish to inform anybody apart from instant household till she reached her second trimester.
My niece informed me. I used to be supposed to maintain it a secret.
I’ve been depressed as a result of my son goes via a divorce, and my psychiatrist put me on a brand new remedy. Whereas I used to be on the remedy, for some motive I forgot about protecting the being pregnant a secret and despatched a textual content to my niece’s son congratulating him.
My niece is past offended at me. I informed her I don’t know why I did that. Come to search out out the remedy may cause “confusion.” I informed my physician what occurred, and she or he verified it. I defined to my niece in regards to the remedy.
Though we don’t stay shut, we often speak rather a lot. We haven’t spoken since this.
I’ve apologized. I’d like to have that bond once more. Is there something I can do?
— SPILLED THE SECRET
DEAR SPILLED: You have got already achieved what you possibly can. Your niece is now going to should work via her anger and disappointment. Nevertheless, if and when that occurs, don’t anticipate to be her confidant once more. That ship has seemingly sailed.
DEAR ABBY: My good friend of eight years has her 55-year-old son residing together with her.
She has been driving a person round; she informed me he’s a good friend of her son’s and she or he is aware of his household. What she by no means talked about is that he’s a registered violent intercourse offender who was simply launched from jail.
She is aware of how I really feel about this difficulty. Intercourse offenders should not allowed the place we stay as a result of there are kids right here. I’m very upset, and I informed her to by no means name me once more or come to my residence.
She introduced the person to her residence for a cookout. Youngsters stay on each side of her.
She has been attempting to speak to me, however I’ve walked away. I really feel damage and lied to. She appears to not care about defending the kids within the neighborhood. What ought to I do right here?
— INCENSED IN INDIANA
DEAR INCENSED: Do the accountable factor. For the protection of these youngsters, inform the police {that a} neighbor has been bringing a registered violent intercourse offender to her residence regardless of the truth that minor youngsters stay on both facet of her. The authorities can take it from there.
TO MY ASIAN READERS WHO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Lunar New 12 months begins in the present day. It’s the 12 months of the Snake. Based on Asian tradition, people born within the yr of the snake are goal-oriented. They’re wonderful mediators — clever, refined, intelligent in enterprise and are good suppliers as a result of they worth materials wealth. A wholesome, joyful and affluent New 12 months to you all. (Hiss, hiss, hooray!) — LOVE, ABBY
Expensive Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also called Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Expensive Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.