The Shadow
DEAR ABBY: We invited a couple for a short visit to our remote country cabin. Afterward, I discovered a pair of pink panties lying on the road in front of our mailbox. When I picked them up with a stick to carry to the trash, I realized they were a pair of clean pink panties I had misplaced. They must have stuck to the sheets I had placed on the bed immediately before our guests arrived.
Now I can’t stop wondering what this couple must have been thinking when they tossed the panties. This may not seem like a serious issue, but it has become a source of embarrassment for me every time I meet these folks. Should I explain the panty situation or let it go? — RED-FACED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR RED-FACED: Don’t get your panties in a twist. The next time you encounter the couple, ask if they have encountered a pair of pink panties that you misplaced around the time they came to visit.
DEAR ABBY: I was watching a police video on the internet, and I spotted the woman who lives in the apartment next door. I know it’s her because of the prominent tattoo on her chest. She was being arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct.
She went ballistic on the cops. First, she screamed and fought back. Next, she sagged and started sobbing at the top of her lungs. Then she started laughing maniacally. I’m afraid to live next to her now. Should I show the video to the apartment manager and ask that she be removed? — SCARED IN OKLAHOMA
DEAR SCARED: Although the police video was understandably upsetting, I am not sure that showing it to the building manager would be enough to have the woman evicted. It might, however, be a valid reason for you to move out of the building. If you are truly fearful, consult an attorney who specializes in real estate law who can advise you on possibly breaking your lease.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I are considering a move to another state to be close to our son and his family. Here’s our dilemma: We have four lifelong friends who are respected and successful local real estate agents, each of whom would expect to be selected as the listing agent of our home.
Choosing one would, undoubtedly, leave the other three hurt and offended. (They all know each other.) We feel our only option is to choose an outside agent to sell our home and to explain our rationale to our friends before the property hits the market. What say you, please? — HARD CHOICE IN THE SOUTH
DEAR HARD CHOICE: There is more than one way to handle this. The first would be to use the outside agent and possibly alienate all of your lifelong friends. Another would be to tell all of them you plan to move to another state to be closer to your children and see which one of the four offers you the best deal to represent you in the sale.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
