March 14, 2026 Issue, Page 5 of 14

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ACTIVITIES The Elk City News SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 • 5 Son Now Hides His Drug Habits in Plain Sight DEAR ABBY: My 29-year- bunch of excuses — the CEO dropped the ball; they screwed old son, “Earl,” has an MBA. He DEAR ABBY DEAR ABBY: I just passed my wasn’t around to sign the certif- up, and it hurt your feelings. Your started drinking and doing drugs 10th anniversary at the hospital icate, the gift was hung up due to employers are trying to make it up at the age of 16. Earl is highly in- I’m worried something will hap- where I am employed. This oc- tariffs, etc. I said “OK” and went to you because they like, respect telligent, and he successfully hid pen to him. What can I do? — casion is normally celebrated at back to my office. NOW my boss and care about you. Salve your his addiction from me. When I POWERLESS IN TEXAS a monthly 30-person meeting wants to make it a big deal. He wounded ego and do not pout. realized its existence, just before DEAR POWERLESS: Your of managers and directors with and the COO are going to take This may be overcompensation he left for college, it was too late fears are well-grounded. I’m sur- a cake, photo, certificate and a me to lunch, and a surprise party on their part, but be a good sport for me to do anything. I offered prised that when Earl’s carry-on small gift. The meeting came, but with cake is being planned that and let them make the effort. You to send him to rehab, but he re- bag is scanned at the airport, the there was no cake, no photo, no I’m not supposed to know about. deserve it. To do otherwise could fused. drugs haven’t been spotted. I’m certificate, etc. Just before the Abby, I just don’t want any of also surprised that if he has the cause ill will, and you don’t want I am a single mom. I tried to tell meeting ended, my supervisor it. It feels like overcompensation his father, but he was of no help. drugs on him (reeking of mar- said, “Oh, by the way, this month and an afterthought. It is water to do that just because somebody Earl lives in a different state now ijuana) he hasn’t encountered is ‘Janet’s’ 10th anniversary.” Ev- under the bridge at this point, made a mistake. but visits me every few months. I a drug-sniffing canine, which eryone clapped, and that was it. and it’s embarrassing to me for recently realized that every time would also lead to an arrest. It was obvious that they had for- them to do it now, like I had to Dear Abby is written by Abigail Earl visits, he buys drugs before You ask what you can do about gotten, and he only remembered ask. This is going to be forced on Van Buren, also known as Jeanne he leaves for the airport. He has this sorry situation; the answer at the last minute. me. How can I stay polite and yet Phillips, and was founded by her them in his carry-on bag. I am is nothing. Your son is an adult I went to the person who nor- firm about turning this all down? mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact afraid Earl may be selling them. who may have to accept the con- mally arranges these types of — FORGOTTEN BIRTHDAY Dear Abby at www.DearAbby. He says he stopped doing mari- sequences for taking the risks he things and asked if they had for- GIRL com or P.O. Box 69440, Los An- juana, but I can smell it on him. has. gotten. She stuttered and had a DEAR GIRL: OK. Someone geles, CA 90069. CROSSWORD Get Fuzzy CURRENT PUZZLE ANSWERS Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield