DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend of two years, "Rick," is addicted to social media -- mainly the women on there. I'm not on any of his social media, and it seems like he acts like he's single there. If he's not at work, he is at home, but always on his phone.

Rick pays more attention to Facebook than he does to me. There are more than 2,000 women on his FB, and he follows thousands on his TikTok. He likes and "hearts" their pictures and even comments. He sees nothing wrong with it because he's home with me and not physically in contact with them. This has been our only problem the whole time we have been together. When I express my feelings about it, he tells me I'm overreacting and that it's "just social media."

I told Rick I feel like he's cheating in a way because he is devoting his attention to other females that he could be giving me. It's like he needs constant attention, even if it's innocent. It makes me feel like I'm not enough for him, that he's no longer interested in me and he's looking for the next gal to move on to.

I feel like I have to compete with these women online. His TikTok is mainly women dancing half-naked. I can be literally right next to him in bed, but he would rather look at them. Other than this addiction, Rick is an amazing man. Please help. -- COMPETING IN OHIO

DEAR COMPETING: Rick may be "amazing," but he is also absent. He may be next to you physically, but if his attention is directed to the dancing girls on screen, you could freeze to death and he wouldn't notice. In a way, in fact, you ARE freezing because your love life has been put on ice. Unless Rick is willing to find things he can do with you rather than feed his addiction, you really should find a partner who is available.

DEAR ABBY: My husband has always been a rule-breaker. During the COVID lockdown, he refused to change his routines. He continued to do unnecessary errands daily and eat lunch out (even if it meant in his car). My pleas for him to stop fell on deaf ears. I protected myself by keeping my distance.

Although neither of us got the virus, I'm having trouble excusing his selfish behavior. He has offered no apologies and seems to think he did nothing wrong because neither of us got sick. I maintain that is not the point. He put both of us at risk. How can I get past this? -- DODGED IT IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR DODGED IT: You and your husband have been lucky. A way to get past this would be to ask your husband in a non-confrontational manner WHY he did what he did, and whether he took into consideration that it might have put you in danger. Then let him explain.

If his response is not satisfactory enough for you to "get past this," recognize that this is what you signed on for when you married a "bad boy" (aka a rule-breaker) and make sure to take ALL the necessary precautions to protect yourself in the future.

DEAR ABBY: After 35 years, I recently ran into my first love, "Cliff." His sister lost her son, and I went to the wake. She and I were good friends growing up and stayed in touch occasionally through the years. Neither of us ever brought up her brother.

Cliff and I broke up during my senior year of high school. I suspected a very good friend of mine was seeing him behind my back at the same time I was confiding in her over my broken heart. Turns out they got married. They are still married to this day.

When I saw Cliff, he looked at me from a distance with a huge smile on his face and his hand over his heart. We hugged for a good five minutes. He held me the way he did when we were together. I never got closure from our breakup because his girlfriend (now wife) wouldn't allow it.

It turns out she wasn't happy that he and I were speaking that evening. I really want closure even though all these years later I have moved on and am married to the love of my life. I need to heal that part of my heart and know if he still has feelings for me. I have gone through all these years feeling he hates me. Please help. -- BITTERSWEET MEMORY IN NEW YORK

DEAR BITTERSWEET: I think you already have the answer to your question. When your old beau saw you, his smile lit up the room and he touched his heart. To me, it sends a strong message. That his wife wasn't thrilled the two of you spent five minutes hugging makes me wonder if she may have sabotaged your high school romance all those years ago. Please go on with your life and stop looking back. You already have the closure you seek.

DEAR ABBY: My family and I love to go camping and invite friends and family to join us. No matter how large the group is, I tend to be the one cooking all the meals all the time. I actually love to cook, but some of our guests take advantage and don't help out with food prep or clean up, or the setup or take-down of camping equipment. They don't even pick up after their children.

One of them is a co-worker and good friend, and I don't know how to approach her so that there are no hard feelings. I have actually considered not inviting that family again. I'll miss their company, but my family and I think it's rude not to help in any way. -- NOT A HAPPY CAMPER

DEAR NOT A HAPPY CAMPER: I agree it's rude not to offer to help one's host in the situation you have described. Before inviting your good friend and co-worker on the next campout, have a chat with her. Explain that if she and her family decide to come along next time, you'll need her to assist you with those chores. That way she'll be warned and can refuse the invitation if it is not to her liking.

DEAR ABBY: My husband died in a car accident 38 years ago. Until yesterday, I had never read his obituary. Our daughter and I were not mentioned in it! It was written by my father-in-law. I am very upset. I have no intention of informing my daughter about this discovery, as she loved her grandfather and has fond childhood memories of him.

I know I will, in time, forgive him for excluding me. But I'm finding it hard to forgive him for omitting her. Am I wrong to not tell her? What if she one day finds the obituary and sees we were left out? I know it will upset her. I don't know the right thing to do. -- MYSTIFIED IN NEW YORK

DEAR MYSTIFIED: Obituaries are usually written during a time of great stress. Grieving families are not at their best and can be distracted not only by the pain of their loss, but also by the many details that must be attended to. Your husband's death must have been a terrible shock not only for you and your little girl, but also his father. Forgive him for the omission.

Because you would like to spare your daughter the pain you are experiencing, once you calm down, tell her you saw the obituary, that her grandfather loved you both and that he must have been in terrible emotional turmoil when he wrote it because it contains some "important omissions." Or write her an explanatory note, and attach it to the front of the clipping so she will read it first.

DEAR ABBY: I work in a supermarket in which there are several managers. One female manager is very intimidating. She criticizes me and watches me like a hawk. Last week, she had me crying at home. My home life isn't very good either. My parent is suffering from dementia and keeps my sister and me up and down all night. Plus, I just had a milestone birthday, which only one co-worker remembered. I'm not the only one this manager intimidates. I am close to quitting or transferring to another store. What should I do? -- UNHAPPY IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR UNHAPPY: Accept that because you have a stressful home life, you may be more vulnerable at work. You and your sister should discuss your demented parent's nighttime wandering with their doctor and ask if there is a medical solution for the problem behavior. Another helpful resource would be the Alzheimer's Association (visit alz.org to find a chapter near you). Sometimes just sticking to a regular schedule can help to reduce anxiety and regulate the behavior of the affected person.

As to your problem with your female supervisor, if it is possible to transfer to another store and a less stressful environment, you should do that. If you like the job, then make that move.

DEAR READERS: Today, we remember the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who in 1968 was martyred in the cause of civil rights. His philosophy still rings true: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- LOVE, ABBY