January 8, 2022 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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5 January 8, 2022 Activities Mixed signals abound after long separation will find out soon enough if shouldn’t it be opened in the Dear Abby he’s involved with someone or presence of the giver? My interested in getting back to- 12-year-old daughter ran cross DEAR ABBY: I have been gether. And remember, if he’s country, and after the season talking to my ex-boyfriend of just being “friendly,” the son ended, there was a banquet. At more than 22 years. We have a you share is a good reason for the banquet, several kids ap- grown son. We are now in our keeping that friendship going. proached the coach and gave 50s and talking and texting him cards. We gave him a gift again. I still love him, and I certificate. When my daughter DEAR ABBY: My wife is very gave him the envelope, he laid want a relationship with him, protective of our dog, “Spen- it down with the other cards but I’m not sure he wants me cer.” I agree with her that and said, “thanks.” I think he back. I don’t know if he’s in- Spencer should not receive should have opened it and read terested in me or just being table food. Yesterday, my wife the contents while my daugh- friendly. put a large pile of dog vomit on ter was standing there (my Can you help? At the end of my desk. She said it “proves” I daughter would have been so our last phone call he said, “It’s have been feeding Spencer. Her pleased). What do you think? been a long time. Twenty-two accusation is not true. -- LISA IN COLORADO years. We are both different I may have done some pe- people now. I don’t know if it culiar things in my time, but DEAR LISA: Once a gift is could be like it was then,” and I have never put vomit on given, it belongs to the receiver we said goodnight. someone’s desk. How should I to do with as he or she pleases. Should I wait for him to text respond? -- FLABBERGASTED Your daughter’s coach was un- me back? I don’t even know if IN IOWA der no obligation to open the he’s dating someone. He didn’t envelope in your daughter’s say. Please help. -- SECOND DEAR FLABBERGASTED: presence. If he recognized the CHANCE IN THE EAST There can be various reasons envelope contained more than for a dog having an upset stom- good wishes, he may have DEAR SECOND CHANCE: ach besides having consumed wanted to spare the other ath- Continue talking to your ex table scraps. Spencer should be letes embarrassment if they and let this scenario play out checked by a veterinarian to be could not afford to be as gener- further. Is he initiating these sure there isn’t something else ous as your family. calls and texts, or are you? If going on. As to your wife put- it’s him, that’s a hopeful sign. ting vomit on your desk, well, Dear Abby is written by Abigail Yes, it is true you are both dif- since you asked -- I wouldn’t Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Crossword ferent people now -- but that blame you if you made it plain Phillips, and was founded by her can be a plus. With the pas- that SHE is in the doghouse. mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact sage of time, you both may Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com have mellowed and matured. If DEAR ABBY: When some- or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Current puzzle answers the discussions continue, you one gives a gift to someone, CA 90069. Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert