DEAR ABBY: My sweet, little, naive neighbor lady, at least 70 years old, is being romanced by a 49-year-old attractive man whom she hired to help with taxes and financial matters.
Her husband died last year, leaving an estate of close to a million dollars, which, of course, this man is aware of. She has no family. She tells me that he has proposed marriage and she has said yes. No date has been set as yet, but she is on cloud nine and flitting around like a teenager. She says he just wants a companion and, due to a physical "problem," he cannot be a husband to a younger woman. (I presume he's impotent.)I called the police to see if there was some way they could quietly check up on this man. They said there was nothing they could do. And since he has no criminal record, they cannot make a formal investigation.
Abby, I think I smell a rat. Is there anything I can do to protect this woman from being taken advantage of? - WORRIED NEIGHBOR
DEAR WORRIED: Your neighbor is over 21 - several times over - and unless you have reason to believe she has a few shingles missing from her roof, she should be able to look after herself.
You may smell a rat, but I smell trouble if you continue to poke around in your neighbor's private affairs. Back off.
DEAR ABBY: I just returned from the beauty salon more than just a little disgusted.
The entire time the operator was setting my hair, she had the phone perched on her shoulder while she argued with her ex-husband about their children. I was so angry, I considered withholding partial payment, as I felt that I had about 50 percent of her attention.
This is not the first time she has carried on a telephone converation while setting my hair. Why do I continue going to this person? Because she's the only operator I know who can make my hair look nice, and I really like her.
I wonder if others have encountered a similar problem? - ILLINOIS
DEAR ILLINOIS: You are very wise. You probably need her more than she needs you. Had you told her off, she might have suggested that you find another operator. This way, you dumped your anger on me, which is fine. That's what I'm here for.
DEAR ABBY: Your letter "Dear Church Member" reminded me of a quotation attributed to the late Bishop Fulton Sheen:
"Whenever I see a church,
"I stop in for a visit.
"So that, when at last they carry me in,
"God won't say, `Who is it?' "
- MADELINE UPJOHN, ARIZONA
C) 1990 Universal Press Syndicate