Annie's Mailbox: Accused of Molestation

[cereta]

Dear Annie: My bullheaded 50-year-old daughter has taken gossip from 32 years ago to make my life a living hell.

I have four grown children. My older daughter called everyone she could think of and told them I molested my son when he was 5. My daughter never checked to see whether it was true. I have never been arrested for this or had charges filed against me. She further told all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they should never stop at my home.

I am 74 years old, have trouble breathing and have cancer that is currently in remission. I want to see my family before it's too late. My daughter called my sister-in-law and told her she will not go to my funeral when I die. I have been denied visits and phone calls from family members for three years. I desperately need my family to visit. -- Sad and Lonely

Dear Sad: You say charges were never filed, nor were you arrested, but you haven't said that you are innocent of the accusation. If the gossip is true, we completely understand why your daughter would want everyone to stay away. If it is not true, you need to make it clear to the rest of the family that your daughter is spreading lies. Please ask whether she would be willing to go with you for counseling to clear this up and to see whether there is any possibility of reconciling before it is too late.

Comments

[torachan]

Yeah, there is so much weird with this. Where did the gossip come from? Where is the son in all this? Saying "I was never charged" is suuuuuuuper weasely. And the "didn't check to see if it was true" is a weird way of phrasing it, too, especially since the son and/or source of "gossip" is not mentioned. Like he thinks the daughter should just ask him so he can say no (or "I was never charged" as the case may be!) and take that as the truth, even if she's heard from other first-hand sources.

Like, this guy is supposed to be defending himself and making himself look like the good guy. It's his own letter! And yet I 100% believe he did it just from his own wording.