Changed

NO AFFECTION ANYMORE 

DEAR ABBY:  

My husband of 39 years no longer hugs me or shows me any affection. I have seen him through 

cancer and diabetes. We have four grown children, and we have been seeing a therapist for a year 

and a half. He is kind, generous and friendly, but there are no compliments or any of the flirtatious 

banter we used to enjoy. 

He swears he's not having an affair, and he doesn't know why he has changed. Perhaps you do?

Drag

HIGH PRICE OF MOM'S HELP IS DRAG ON FAMILY BUSINESS 

DEAR ABBY:  

Twenty years ago, my sister and I bought a business from our mother. We all love and respect one 

another and get along well. We will be finished paying off the business in two years. 

Our problem: Mom, who is now 77, still draws a salary from us above and beyond the payment for 

the business. Her workload has lessened greatly, as it should. She could do all of her work in one 

day and lessen the burden of her salary. However, she says she'd "go crazy" if she retired. We 

don't want that. She could still come in as often as she wants and do her personal paperwork, bank- 

ing, letter-writing, reading, etc. These are all things she does at "work" -- on the clock. 

If we try to discuss this, Mom gets hurt and says, "Just let me know when I'm not worth the money." 

We don't want to do that. We would hope she would see the fairness of this and suggest it herself. 

Business expenses are going through the roof, and there are updates we should make, but we 

can't do it as long as we are paying Mom at the level we are, on top of the money for the buy-out.  

-- DAUGHTERS DEAREST

Intimacy

DEAR ABBY:  

My husband, "James," and I have been married only three years. We are both in our 20s. 

Everything is really great between us -- except our sex life. As far as he is concerned that's fine, 

too, but I am not satisfied. It may seem odd to hear the female wants to have sex more frequently 

than a young and healthy male, but that's the case in our relationship. 

Abby, I work with the public and I get frequent remarks about what a beautiful woman I am. This 

makes it hard for me to believe that I don't attract him at all. I have expressed many times that I 

wish we were more intimate. I have even expressed it to him in more than one letter, hoping to 

reach him. 

I am at a total loss as to how to make him realize how important this is to me. Is there something 

wrong with my body? I just don't know who to turn to for advice on this subject. Please help me.  

-- SHORT ON INTIMACY IN OHIO

Secret Love

WOMAN HESITATES TO REVEAL SECRET LOVE FOR COLLEAGUE 

DEAR ABBY:  

I am a single woman in my early 30s who has never been married. I recently fell in love with a won- 

derful man with whom I spend a great deal of time. He is unaware of the intensity of my feelings, 

and I'm afraid of telling him out of fear of rejection. 

There are a couple of additional concerns: He is 15 years my senior and a medical doctor. I am a 

social worker in a lower economic class. In addition, we are of different religions, but we have simi- 

lar spiritual beliefs and values. He is also my co-worker. 

I am very interested in pursuing a deeper relationship with this man, but would like to hear your 

advice first. Thank you for your thoughts on this.  

-- LONGING FOR MORE IN CHICAGO

The Race

It's 5 o'clock and Allen is riding his motorcycle in San Francisco. He is riding down Van Ness street 

and comes to a stop light.  

A red Ferrari pulls up next to him. The driver's wearing dark sun glasses. He looks over at Allen. 

Allen looks at him and realizes that the driver is Tom Cruise! 

Tom sneers at Allen. He says, "When the light turns green, let's race".  

Allen says, "Allright, you're on!" 

Tom says, "I'm gonna smoke you, sucka!" 

Allen says, "You wish. I'm gonna beat you and your sorry-ass car".  

Allen and Tom wait at the light. They rev their engines.  

Suddenly, the light turns green. Allen and Tom take off! They zoom down Van Ness at top speed. 

Tom is winning.  

But suddenly, blue and red lights appear behind Tom-- its the police. They pull him over.  

Allen zooms past Tom, laughing. He yells, "Better luck next time!"  

Allen is the winner!