Dear Abby: Here`s the short version of a long story. I got married to an illegal immigrant so he could get his green card and work here permanently. It was agreed beforehand that this was strictly a business deal. I hardly knew this person. Well, after we were married, he took our vows seriously. Abby, I couldn`t think of taking them seriously since we are practically strangers. He is not a Christian, and goes to extremes practicing his own religion.
I do not like this arrangement, and I`m sorry I ever got myself into it. I suppose I broke the law, but now I need to know what to do. I can`t live like this, but lawyers charge an arm and a leg, and I`m worse than broke–I`m in debt. Please help me.
Trouble in Texas
Dear Trouble: You did indeed break the law. I advise you to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. Call your county bar association and ask to be referred to your local legal aid society or attorneys who offer low-cost legal services. It`s not your arm and leg you have to worry about–it`s your neck.
Dear Abby: I had an 11-year relationship with a man I`ll call Joe. After we broke up, it took me two years to get over it. During my relationship with Joe, I established a friendship with one of Joe`s friends (I`ll call him Freddy). It never got beyond the friendship stage, but I`m sure he had some feelings for me although he never did come right out and tell me.
After Joe and I broke up, I got to thinking about how nice it would be to see Freddy again, but I don`t know how to locate him because I don`t know his last name. I know he`s a police officer, and I realize that he could be either married or in a relationship with somebody, but I can`t forget how kind and sweet he was to me.
I want to send him flowers and a poem. I`d send it to the police station
(in case he`s married), just to let him know I haven`t forgotten him, and I`d also include my phone number in case he wants to contact me. I need his last name because I can`t just address it to ”Officer Fred.”
Any advice?
Remembering Freddy
Dear Remembering: Since it`s all over between you and Joe, Joe can tell you Freddy`s last name and also if he`s married or involved in a relationship. If I were you, I wouldn`t send a police officer flowers and a poem in care of the station. I would also set my sights on a man I knew more about, and didn`t have to hunt for.
Dear Abby: I`d like for you to settle an argument between my husband and me. We will abide by your decision. I am a housewife with three children. My husband is a judge.
Monday: He took a class (for enjoyment mostly) and was gone from breakfast until bedtime.
Tuesday: I played volleyball for one hour.
Wednesday: He went to a college basketball game. Again he was gone from breakfast until bedtime.
Thursday: We both stayed home.
Friday: He went to a professional basketball game with our 4-year-old son. (I could have gone, but was home ill.)
Saturday: His high school friends called and wanted him to play poker.
This is when the argument occurred. I felt that he had been away from his family too much during the week and I said so. Awaiting your decision.
Country Housewife
Dear Housewife: I`ll do what the judge does–base my decision on the evidence. If the week you cite is a typical week, I vote in favor of the plaintiff (you).
To get Abby`s booklet, ”How to Be Popular: You`re Never Too Young or Too Old,” send a check or money order for $2.50 and a long, stamped (39 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Dear Abby, Popularity, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054.
