


Well, Allan and Gina are now being divorced, and he's having his name removed from the baby's birth certificate. Of course, ev- eryone but me wants this to stay quiet. I want the wife of the man to know, and I want all the people my in-laws trash all the time to know!













DEAR ABBY: I'm 17 and feeling so sad because I just lost my dad. I can't talk to my stepmom because she's too busy hanging out with her friends, drinking and partying. My dad died a couple of months ago, and she's already having sex with my dad's friends. I heard them talking about it. I have no other family that I can go to. I really hate her right now! Please tell me what to do.


DEAR GRIEVING: Please know how sorry I am for the loss of your father. It would be helpful for you to find another adult to talk to about your feelings. Because you have no family other than your stepmother, perhaps the mother of one of your friends would listen and guide you. If that's not possible, and you belong to a church, you should talk to the minister.

Hating your stepmom isn't the answer. She may be acting the way she is because she's trying to cope with the loss of your father by attempting to distract herself from the pain. It won't work, by the way, but she may have to learn that by trial and error. A grief-support group could be helpful for both of you.
