Wife’s close friend gets too close for husband’s comfort

Dear Abby: My wife, “Grace,” and I have been happily married for 48 years. We’re retired and enjoy an active sex life. Grace has a female friend, “Ricky,” we have known more than 45 years.

Ricky is a lesbian and, in the past, had female companions. The problem is she repeatedly asks Grace to do things on Saturday evenings. She has also invited her to spend the night and tells her how much she loves her. My wife loves Ricky strictly as a friend and has not encouraged her in any way.

I’m not ordinarily the jealous type, but I’m convinced Ricky is in love with my wife. I have been tempted to tell her to quit making advances, but I don’t want to cause the end of the friendship. I have told Grace how I feel, and she agrees. In fact, she has told me about some of the requests Ricky has made and she has rejected. I believe Ricky has crossed the line. What do you think? —

Crossed The Line Dear Crossed The Line:

Your wife is not responsible for the fact that her longtime friend may be in love with her. I agree that asking your wife to spend the night is inappropriate, but Ricky may want more of Grace’s time because she’s simply single and lonely. The person to set boundaries would be your wife.

Dear Abby: My husband and I have been together nearly four years. When we got together, he was in the process of gaining custody of his daughter. We have raised “Arlette” ever since, and her mother is out of the picture.

Arlette calls me Mom. Her father and I have a very strained marriage. We separated several times because he was abusive. I have been giving thought to leaving him, but since I have no legal rights to Arlette, I stay. I lost custody of my own daughter because of his abuse, and although my older children don’t care for him, they have a strong bond with Arlette.

I do not feel this marriage can be saved. I am at a loss, though, thinking about leaving his daughter. She’s only 4. How do I move on with my life knowing I won’t have a relationship with this child I consider my own? — Like My Own Daughter

In Florida

Dear Like My Own:

Because of your husband’s history of abuse, my first suggestion is to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at thehotline.org or by calling (800) 799-7233. Having lost custody of your own daughter because of his abuse, there is good reason to believe he would abuse Arlette if she is left alone with him. While you’re at it, consider running this scenario past a social worker who is well versed in the ins and outs of the system.