Connecticut Post

Spouse is burdened by knowledge of brother-in-law’s unfaithful­ness

- Jeanne Phillips Write to Dear Abby at P.O. Box 96440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or dearabby.com

Dear Abby: My husband works out of town with his brother, who is married. While I’m not close to my sister-in-law, I like her just fine.

My problem is, my husband keeps sharing with me that his brother is unfaithful while he travels, and I have actually overheard him on a call with my husband trying to show my husband nude pictures of other women. I cannot express how much this boils my blood.

It’s not only from the perspectiv­e of someone who has been cheated on before (not by my husband), but also that his brother’s bragging with photos shows he doesn’t respect ANY marriage or relationsh­ip.

I feel stuck with deciding whether I should share this informatio­n with my sister-in-law, or if it would be oversteppi­ng some kind of boundary where it’s not my business.

Because I don’t talk with her often, I’m afraid I would just cause drama where I shouldn’t have put my nose.

But I believe she’s a good wife and mother, and I feel awful and burdened by the knowledge that her husband isn’t faithful to her.

Should I keep this to myself and rely on “karma” to one day reveal his transgress­ions, or should I give her the informatio­n I have? (It involves no hard proof except my husband’s word and what I overheard.) My husband thinks I should keep quiet and says he would be uncomforta­ble being put in a position to “out” his brother.

Tempted in Tennessee

Dear Tempted: Your brother-in-law is a conscience­less, immature braggart.

“Karma” won’t protect your sister-in-law from syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and HIV, to name only a few of the STDs her husband has been exposing her to. Tell her it’s important she schedule an appointmen­t with her doctor to be tested for all of them.

Isn’t that what you would want if the situation were reversed?

Dear Abby: I have two adult daughters. One of them is self-centered and refuses to give any gifts for my birthday or for Christmas, even though she very much likes receiving them.

If this is her position, then I suppose that’s OK because I don’t need much, and it’s really the thought that counts.

I enjoy giving gifts, but I feel like I’m being taken advantage of.

This is exacerbate­d by the fact that, in the past, I have bailed her out of some sticky situations. I know that’s a different issue — and I have set boundaries for that — but this gift thing has frustrated me twice a year for the past 10 years, and it’s time for a better plan.

Help, please.

Good Dad in Oregon

Dear Dad: If the situation was fine, you wouldn’t have written to me about it. I believe in communicat­ion.

Have a long-overdue talk with your daughter. Showing thoughtful­ness isn’t supposed to be a one-way street, which is what your daughter has made it. More important than a tangible item is the thought behind it.

From where I sit, if she doesn’t bother to call or text you on these special occasions, I think your generosity has been taken advantage of.

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