Dear Abby: I was recently invited for a long weekend at my friend’s new home in South Carolina. She has wanted me to come there to visit ever since she purchased it. I offered to come down, but then I sprained my ankle, and it still has not healed.

My friend then told me her daughter and son-in-law will be there with their two young children. She said we can babysit her grandchildren while I’m there when her daughter and son-in-law go out. I told her I don’t want to go down there to babysit. I have no children and do not enjoy babysitting. She used to do this to me before she moved. Now she’s upset that I won’t help her. What should I do? — Not Interested in the South

Dear Not Interested: What you do is this: Repeat to your manipulative friend that your ankle is still healing, it is difficult to get around and you are UNABLE to chase after young children. Tell her that when you are better you would love to see her place and visit one on one. Then stick to your guns.

Dear Abby: I am a male singer and guitarist who has been playing in small local venues most of my life. My new duo partner is a nice person and decent multi-instrumentalist. The problem is that he cannot — and should not — sing, though he believes he is a fine vocalist.
His new girlfriend recently confided to me that she feels he shouldn’t sing because it is damaging to our joint reputation and to my own as a musician. She doesn’t know how to tell him or whether she should. I don’t know how to tell him either without risking our partnership, although at this point, any gigs we acquire will be one-offs because of the poor vocal performance that will result.

Over the years, I have failed auditions and learned from constructive criticism. Should I tell him or try to dissolve our duo gently? — Old Canadian Rocker

Dear Rocker: Your relationship with this partner isn’t social; it is BUSINESS. He is in denial about his limited abilities. Bursting his bubble by enlightening him that his singing is holding you back will not endear you to him. It would be best to dissolve the partnership as kindly as you can and find a replacement.

Dear Abby: My parents are starting to get older and have a number of health issues. I am one of three children now in our 40s. My parents got an attorney to write their will and have cut one child out completely. They decided to give another child two-thirds of their estate while leaving me with only one-third. They claim the reason is that my sister will be responsible for their health when and if they get to that point. We aren’t talking about lots of money, but I don’t know what I should do. — Not the Favorite in Michigan

Dear Not the Favorite: What you should do is accept your parents’ reasoning, as well as their generosity, and not argue about it. Be grateful, because doing otherwise will get you nowhere.

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.