Crush on married boss causes heartache
DEAR ABBY: I’m 20 years old and have a job in retail.
I’m in a relationship with my high school sweetheart, whom I truly love, but I am also crazy about my boss. I jumped at my promotion so I could get closer to her.
While I love my girlfriend, if I were given the chance to be with my boss, I’d have a hard time saying no. Thankfully, my boss is in a longterm marriage, but it hurts to go on every day thinking about her. I’d hate myself if I never told her how I feel. What should I do? — Really Confused in Retail
DEAR REALLY CONFUSED: Because you are excelling in this retail job, consider asking your boss to write a letter of recommendation so you can find another job in retail — one that won’t make you ache every time you clock in.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been asked to be in his sister’s wedding. We said yes.
There will be three married couples in the procession. I recently learned my sister-in-law plans to have the couples split up and walk with others. I think it’s extremely weird and rude, so we want to back out. Neither of us cares to be in a memory book posing with other people. What do you think? — Feeling Obligated in the East
DEAR FEELING OBLIGATED: Before you take offense and back out, you should ask your sister-in-law why she wants to do this. It could be something as simple as variations in the height of the participants. Unless you and your husband feel so strongly about this that you are willing to create a rift in the family, you should go along with his sister’s fantasy of her perfect day.
DEAR ABBY: I can’t do anything for my 70-something mom without her thanking me so much it makes me uncomfortable. She moved to a new apartment, and I bought her some gift certificates as a housewarming gift. She thanked me profusely via email when she received them. She thanked me again over the phone when I spoke with her. She’s thanked me each time she uses one of them.
When my sister and I paid for a trip for her, she bought us expensive gifts as thankyous. The gifts cost far more than she could afford (and , in my case, was something I’d never use), which kind of negated the idea of us paying for the trip.
I know Mom means well. Should I say or do anything? — Thanks-full Son in Seattle
DEAR SON: If you say something, you risk embarrassing your mother or hurting her feelings. I vote for just letting it be.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. Dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.