Dear Abby: I’m 18 and my boyfriend, “Jordan,” is 17. We have been together a year and a half and rarely fight. There is only one problem in our relationship — his mother.

“Martha” has lupus and uses it to manipulate Jordan. When we plan dates, she’ll tell him she feels sick and make him stay home to take care of her. As soon as the date is canceled, she’s miraculously better. She complains that he doesn’t spend enough time with her and lays guilt on him because she “could die any day,” but says these things only when I’m around.

I don’t believe that at 17 my boyfriend deserves the stress she puts on us, but I’m not sure what to do about it. Can you help me? — Stressed Teens in the South

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