DEAR ABBY: A woman I have been friends with for many years remarried her ex-husband a couple of years ago. I never knew her during their first marriage.

My husband and I don’t like him. The last time we met for lunch, her husband showed my husband a gun he was carrying in his pocket!

Recently, she has been suggesting that the four of us get together again, but I am hesitant. Her husband is an older man with a hand tremor, and the idea of meeting them makes both me and my partner nervous, especially knowing that he is armed.

We are afraid it could accidentally go off and shoot one of us. I don’t know what to tell her. Any advice? — FRIGHTENED IN TEXAS

DEAR FRIGHTENED: Keep in mind that carrying a gun is legal in Texas. Also, many guns have safety devices so they don’t fire accidentally.

There is a difference between not liking someone and being afraid of socializing with an armed person.

You don’t have to sacrifice your long friendship with this woman. If you don’t want to see them as a couple, get together with her separately.

DEAR ABBY: My son and his wife have quit speaking to my husband and me because I gave them COVID.

At their invitation, we took a trip with them to Hawaii. I began feeling ill on the plane and tested positive the next day.

A few days later, my son fell ill, and soon after, his wife also got sick. I expressed my sincere apologies for potentially infecting them and ruining their vacation.

We always had a close relationship — frequent phone calls, visits, dinners, etc. — but for the last six weeks, nothing.

He told his brother he was furious because I tried to “kill” them. I’m at a loss about what to do, if anything. What would Dear Abby do? — GUILTY IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR GUILTY: What Dear Abby would do is give your son some time to cool off and then reach out and apologize again.

He needs to grow up. You didn’t make anyone sick on purpose, and it just as easily could have been your son or daughter-in-law infecting you.

DEAR ABBY: I have been in love with a man for more than 30 years. We never married, but he calls me his wife. I’m aware of his infidelity and accept him as-is.

I am also involved with my youngest child’s father, who I have also been around for 15 years. I’m caught between the two and can’t find the way out.

My child’s father provides financially, but emotionally the man of 30 years is who I want. My problem is, he won’t commit. Please help. — TORN IN WASHINGTON

DEAR TORN: If either of these two men wanted marriage, it would have happened years ago.

If you really want someone to build a stable future with, look for someone who can give you more stability than these two “prizes.”

Find a man who is available and willing. Right now, you are just treading water, which will get you no further than you are today. 

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 DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.