Dear Abby: Fiance's Friend Is a Serial Cheater
A reader, writing as "Writing on the Wall" from Illinois, is engaged to a wonderful man but is troubled by his best friend, Joey. Joey has a pattern of dating women, quickly becoming serious, and then cheating on them after about six months. The reader has seen this happen multiple times over five years. Recently, Joey married a woman after only six weeks of dating. The reader feels angry and uncomfortable about meeting the new bride, knowing the likely outcome. She wants to be respectful to her fiance but struggles with her feminist principles, watching Joey mistreat women repeatedly.
Dear Abby advises the reader to be a lady, meet the new wife kindly, and hold out hope that this marriage might be different. She notes that Joey has never married before, so perhaps this union will succeed against the odds.
Dear Abby: A Heavy Secret About Paternity
Another reader, "Heavy Secret," reveals that their parents divorced 50 years ago. The father recently disclosed that the mother had an affair, and the youngest sibling, Dana, has a different biological father. The reader is torn about whether to tell Dana, especially given the prevalence of DNA testing. The biological father is deceased, and the father who raised Dana has been wonderful. The reader's spouse suggests talking to the mother gently about the secret.
Dear Abby agrees with the spouse's advice: the reader should speak with the mother, who already knows the secret, to clear the air and perhaps encourage her to tell Dana herself if she thinks it best.
