DEAR ABBY: My sister, “Blanche,” and I had different upbringings after she turned 13. At that time, I was just 6, and she was raised by our grandmother. Despite the distance, we stayed connected through frequent phone calls until I was 45, when my husband passed away. During that difficult period, Blanche persuaded me to relocate to her state. After receiving my insurance settlement, she convinced me to invest in a property with two houses—one for her and one for me—and we embarked on a business venture together.

A year later, I met someone special, and he moved in with me a year after that. That’s when Blanche started creating tension between us. Historically, she’s been manipulative and controlling. She refused to pay rent and instead offered to clean my house in lieu of rent. Numerous arguments ensued, along with periods of silence—not just with me, but also with our parents, brother, her daughter, and her son-in-law. Eventually, my fiancé and I decided it was best to sell the property and relocate out of state.

I’m worried Blanche might resist our decision to move. Financially, she’s struggling to cover her expenses, let alone find another place to live. My fiancé believes it’s not our responsibility to solve her problems, emphasizing the importance of our well-being and the need to escape a toxic environment. I’m torn because she’s my sister, and I don’t want her to end up homeless. What should I do if she refuses to vacate? She has been served with a legal eviction notice, giving her eight months to find new accommodations. My fiancé suggests we might need to involve the sheriff to evict her if necessary. — DREADING IT IN ARIZONA

DEAR DREADING IT: Your sister has ample time—eight months—to secure alternative housing, so she won’t be facing immediate homelessness. It would be prudent to consult with an attorney to navigate this challenging situation. If possible, document the current state of the house she occupies. Your fiancé’s advice may be sensible; if Blanche refuses to leave when the time comes, law enforcement might need to be involved to prevent any potential damage to your property.

DEAR ABBY: As a widow, most of my friends are married. I’ve noticed they only call me while they’re driving or running errands, never when they’re home with their spouses. Are they trying to hide their conversations with their single friend? I find it impolite to receive calls from someone who’s distracted by traffic and stops like the bank drive-through.

I have thought about asking them to call me back when they get home, but they sound like they are just too busy to do that. I’m getting to the point where I just don’t answer their calls. I also have a married friend who only texts and never talks on the phone. — AFTERTHOUGHT IN FLORIDA

DEAR AFTERTHOUGHT: Your friends may have busy schedules and little free time, which is why they call you from their cars. They may also prefer that what they discuss with you be just between the two of you, with no one else listening in. I do not think you should take this as personally as you seem to have taken it. For a definitive answer to your question, you must ask your friends why they do this.

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.