May 22, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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5 May 22, 2021 Activities Sibling still wrestles with lingering effects of abuse me for two years, ever since offered to let them use our Dear Abby my mother-in-law passed downstairs bathroom until the away. My husband spends ev- contractor finished theirs. No DEAR ABBY: I had a hor- ery Tuesday evening with him one else on the block did any- rible childhood with a mean at his house. My sister-in-law mother who berated and took thing for them. Nothing. is building a room onto her her issues out on me. I also had They then invited a neighbor house for him to live in (he is an older brother who enjoyed selling his house). My husband and his wife over for drinks and making fun of me and embar- and sister-in-law call him two didn’t invite us. My husband rassed me in front of others or three times a day. says I shouldn’t be offended to get his kicks. He still never Abby, my father-in-law is by this. I certainly would have misses an opportunity to pull a healthy and still drives. He had the neighbors who had “gotcha.” never pays for any food -- my welcomed me over first. What I was raised at a time when husband and sister-in-law buy do you think? -- SNUBBED IN child abuse was considered all his food. He’s a wealthy THE SOUTH making a kid tough. What it man, but stingy. I think my did to me was break me down husband and his sister are ob- emotionally. Does PTSD ever sessed. What do you think? I’m DEAR SNUBBED: I think you go away, or do I have to live so tired of this. I don’t want and your husband are more with it to the end? -- JUST him staying at my house. I than neighborly. I also think GETTING BY IN NEW YORK need privacy! Help! -- OVER IT you are blessed with common NOW IN TENNESSEE sense, something your new DEAR JUST GETTING neighbors may lack. My advice BY: I’m sorry for the abuse DEAR OVER IT: Your hus- is to let this unfortunate inci- to which you were subjected. band and his sister appear dent slide without holding a PTSD does not go away on its to be devoted to their father. grudge. Take the high road and own, and you do not have to Either that, or they may an- “live with it.” Distance yourself ticipate a big payday once their move on. Nothing positive will as much as possible from your wealthy parent expires. More come of allowing this to fester. bully brother. You can find the than privacy, you may need a Whether the couple is worth help you need by asking your break. Arrange to spend some knowing better will become physician or insurance com- of those Friday nights with apparent with time. pany to refer you to a licensed women friends, and perhaps psychotherapist who special- his presence will be less oner- Dear Abby is written by Abi- izes in patients with PTSD. You ous. gail Van Buren, also known won’t be the first person to do as Jeanne Phillips, and was “couch time” after an abusive DEAR ABBY: We welcomed childhood. Trust me on that. new neighbors and allowed founded by her mother, Pau- them to use our garbage can line Phillips. Contact Dear DEAR ABBY: My father-in- until they got one, and gave Abby at www.DearAbby.com or law has spent every Friday them a bottle of wine and a P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Crossword night with my husband and housewarming card. We also CA 90069. Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert