Houston Chronicle

Loyal worker is out of job following knee replacemen­ts.

- DearAbby.com Dear Abby P.O. Box 69440 Los Angeles, CA 90069 Andrews McMeel Syndicatio­n

Dear Abby:

After 16 years of dedicated service to my employer, I find myself out of work. Months ago, I needed double knee replacemen­ts. I gave him three months’ notice about my surgery, planning to return on June 1. It was a one-girl office; I was responsibl­e for all the administra­tive duties.

When I called my employer, he said, “Sorry. No work,” and hung up on me! I am 64 years old and jobless. How do I start rebuilding my life?

Life is not kind when you are over 50. I had intended to work until I was 70. I can’t think straight, and am hurt beyond words that I was tossed to the curb after being a loyal employee all these years.

Deeply Hurt

Dear Deeply Hurt:

You have my sympathy. For your boss to have kicked you while you were down is disgracefu­l. Run this scenario by an attorney who specialize­s in labor issues and ask if you have any recourse. Although you can’t think straight right now, I assure you the lawyer will be able to advise you with a dispassion­ate eye.

And while you are at it, start constructi­ng your résumé. Although there may not be a job opening in the field you were working in, surely there is work for someone with a 16-year history of loyal service to one employer.

Dear Abby:

My brother “Nick” was married for 17 years until he got caught cheating on his wife with her niece. He’s 34; she’s 20. They say they are in love.

Nick has come home to be near family because he has been a stay-at-home dad for the past four years and doesn’t have the means to start over without help. (They lived 10 hours away.) The problem is, he has asked to stay with me, which would’ve been fine, but he’s bringing along his new love. We all love Nick’s wife, and they have three kids. To let his lover stay here feels like a betrayal of my sister-in-law.

I suppose I should just get over it and help because he’s family, but I’m afraid my husband won’t be so forgiving.

Caught in the Middle

Dear Caught:

It’s difficult, but I’ll refrain from commenting on your brother’s morals or judgment. Whether you should get into the middle of this mess isn’t a question I can answer. And you won’t know the answer until after you have discussed it with your husband.

P.S.I changed my mind about not being judgmental. It would be poetic justice if the niece met a hunk her age and dumped your brother.

 ??  ?? ABBY
ABBY

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