Man’s crimes more than stepmom can take

DEAR ABBY: My 30-yearold stepson, “David,” is a convicted sex offender, currently serving a 15-year sentence for possession of child pornography and having inappropriate conversations with a preteen that almost went further.

This was his third arrest for the same thing. David is also mildly autistic.

I am beside myself. Because of David’s autism, his family looks the other way about his crimes. I have kids of my own, and, frankly, the whole situation makes me want to vomit. I hide how I feel and try to be there for my husband because he loves his son, and it pains him to see David in prison. He also has been wonderful to my kids.

I’m dreading what is going to happen when David is out of prison. I know he’s going to want to live with us. I am 1,000 percent against this.

My kids will be adults soon and away at college when he’s released, so I can’t use that as an excuse for him not to live with us. I also don’t want my home address on the sex offender registry. The street where I live is full of children. What can I do?

I don’t want to lose my husband over this. Every time David speaks with his dad, he tells him he wishes he were home with him. Please help! — Stepmom Who’s Dreading It

DEAR STEPMOM: Itis time to have an honest talk with your husband about this. When a sex offender is released from prison, there are stipulations in place.

One of them is being forbidden to live close to young, vulnerable children. David may not be ABLE to live with you. This is something you and your husband need to be communicating about as David’s release draws nearer.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are part of a three-couple group who enjoy dining out as well as entertaining in our homes. However, while my wife and I and one other couple serve as hosts, the third never invites us into their home. They often suggest a menu or an occasion for us or the other couple to serve when we host.

Both wives (who do most of the work) don’t seem bothered by it, but it irks me. Is there a way to kindly suggest the third couple host without causing a problem? — Fair in South Carolina

DEAR FAIR: They may not be confident in their cooking skills or the appearance of their home. However, they SHOULD attempt to make up for it in other ways such as offering to bring food or beverages, or by doing the cleanup after the dinners. I see nothing wrong with asking the couple the reason for their reluctance, as long as it is done privately.

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.