DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 30 years. Recently, she shared details of two infidelities that she had with other men.

The first was with an individual on the staff of our church who held himself out to be my friend. My wife says it was an unprovoked attack, where he forced himself upon her. But when I asked why she didn't resist or fight him off, she said she didn't know and that maybe, deep down, she wanted it to happen. The second was someone she met at a bar and had developed a relationship with. When I was away on business trips, she stayed with him overnight on four occasions.

She tells me these things happened more than 20 years ago and she's been faithful since, but to put it bluntly, I am devastated and unconvinced that that's the entire story. I believed my wife to be faithful during our marriage.

I guess I was naive because, over the years, she was jealous and accused me of something nefarious if I even looked at a woman, although I never strayed. Now I'm doubting everything. Did we live a fictional life? Were we ever truly happy? How can I believe that she's been faithful since?

The fact of the matter is I don't believe her. I still love her, but every time I look at her, I think about what she told me, and I'm having a hard time coping with this information. I don't think I will ever get over this. What should I do? -- DOESN'T BELIEVE HER IN FLORIDA

DEAR DOESN'T BELIEVE: I can feel your pain, and for that, you have my sympathy. You may need the help of a marriage and family counselor to figure out the answers to the questions you are asking yourself. Once you have started on that path, ask your wife to join you. Solid marriages are built on trust. Only if that can be reestablished will your marriage be healed.

DEAR ABBY: Three months ago, I lost my dear, loving wife (the best part of me) to cancer, COVID-19, pneumonia and heart problems. We had a great marriage, not perfect, but the happiest times of our lives. In disbelief, carrying a burden of grief, sorrow and pain, I am lonely and alone, but it is getting lighter with each passing day. I know I don't want to spend the rest of my remaining time this way.

We were together 40 years, rearing a blended family of four children. Then, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren came along. How long should I wait before considering looking around, dating and searching for someone to share my life with? I am being bombarded with interest from women I do not know, which I did not expect. -- ALONE IN ALABAMA

DEAR ALONE: Please accept my sympathy for your loss. Your loneliness, pain and vulnerability are palpable. This is why, when you start dipping your toe into the dating pool, it's important to take your time and not rush into any "quickie" entanglements.

Realize that as a senior widower, you are now a hot commodity. You will meet many women as the weeks go on. There's a good reason why folks are advised not to make any serious decisions for a year after a loss such as the one you have experienced. Take your time and avoid jumping into any serious commitments in the coming months.

DEAR ABBY: Over the years, my younger sister, "Hannah," has been lying about some significant things, such as: She claims she was there alone with our dad when he died; that our older sister tried to talk her into signing herself into a state mental hospital; that my boyfriend was imaginary, etc.

Her most recent fabrication, told to an elderly relative, is that our mother put Hannah unattended on a plane from New York to Virginia when she was 12, with a layover in Philadelphia. She said a man on the plane befriended her and took her to the VIP lounge, where he gave her wine and abandoned her there. The trip was supposedly to go to our older sister's to assist with a newborn baby.

A quick math check showed the baby wasn't born until Hannah was 15. When that fact was presented to her, Hannah said, "Well, then the trip was for some other reason." Our older sister says Hannah never came to Virginia on a plane or otherwise. This most recent lie has bothered me more than the others because I thought Hannah was doing better.

Many people have suggested to her that she might benefit from medication, but she refuses to even consider that. Should I just let it go? I couldn't say she was a danger to herself or others, so reporting her behavior wouldn't get her the help she needs. -- FAR FROM THE TRUTH

DEAR FAR: Your sister is a fabulist -- someone who composes or relates fables and invents elaborate, untrue stories. From what you have described, she cannot help herself. Some people do this because they need to be the center of attention. You aren't going to change Hannah, and medication won't make her condition go away. Let it go.

DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, with the support of my wife, I voluntarily gave up driving. I have some minor memory problems and depth perception issues. I leave the house only when I walk the dog or my wife drives me somewhere. Being practically housebound has caused my mental health to deteriorate.

I would like to revisit this driving privileges issue with my wife. I will propose that I enroll in a remedial driving school to relearn my skills. My wife is dead set against it. I'm not sure she would be amenable to driving remediation. What do you think? -- MISSES MOBILITY IN OHIO

DEAR MISSES MOBILITY: I can understand your wife's reluctance to allow you to resume driving. Driving lessons may not be enough to compensate for your vision problem, and if there is a danger of your becoming lost (again) and winding up God knows where, you should not be behind the wheel.

This, however, doesn't mean you must remain imprisoned in the house. Explore what public transportation is available in your city. If it is not convenient, consider using a driving service -- Uber and Lyft come to mind -- to take you where you want to go. They are as simple to use as installing their apps and typing in your desired destination. Check them out. Many people of every age use and enjoy them.

DEAR ABBY: I am a fairly laid-back mom of a wonderful 13-year-old daughter. Her friends are nice kids, but some of them dress pretty provocatively. I have seen them wear super-short shorts that are very "cheeky" and tops that really expose their assets.

We have been invited to a party at a friend's home, and my daughter is allowed to bring a friend. The friend she has chosen to invite regularly dresses in very provocative attire, and I would feel more comfortable if I knew she was going to dress "appropriately" by my standards.

I don't know what to do. Should I talk to the parents? (Cringe!) Ask my daughter to tell her friend what the dress code is and to convey "Wear something that doesn't show your butt cheeks"? Or must I ignore it and hope for the best? -- OVEREXPOSED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

DEAR OVEREXPOSED: Many teenage girls let it all hang out in an effort to attract attention. I do not think you should talk to the girl's mother because I don't think your comments would be warmly welcomed. Instead, ask your daughter to talk to her friend and suggest that for this occasion, it would be better to cover up more than she usually does because the hosts are old-fashioned and can be judgmental -- just like you.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 45-year-old male who has been trying for a long time to change my attitude. I'm a really nice person when things are going well, but when things get tough, I turn nasty. I talk to myself some mornings about reacting better to situations, but then I react as I always do when things are hard.

I found out four years ago that I'm bipolar, but I don't want to use this as an excuse. I also quit weed three years ago in the hope that things would stabilize in my life, which has helped a lot. I used to get panic attacks, which stopped when I quit weed. Still, I don't like the way I treat people when my mood is down. I don't have the means for therapy, so that is not an option. Do you have any advice for me? -- MEANIE IN FLORIDA

DEAR MEANIE: Be glad you have pinpointed what your problem actually is. I hope you are receiving treatment for your bipolar disorder. However, if you are not, then your next step should be to find a nearby college or university that has a department of psychology and talk to a professor there about what low-cost mental health services they may be able to provide.

If this is not an option, inquire at your county's department of mental health. You may be surprised to find that help is available on a sliding fee scale. I wish you luck in your search.

DEAR READERS: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and no Thanksgiving would be complete without sharing the traditional prayer penned by my dear, late mother:

Oh, Heavenly Father,

We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.

We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.

We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.

We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service.

That Thy gifts to us may be used for others.

Amen.

Have a happy and safe celebration, everyone! -- LOVE, ABBY