Dear Abby: My sister-in-law believes her online ‘girlfriend’ is real. I don’t

DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law, “Carla,” has had a “girlfriend,” “Susan,” for the past year who she has never met or spoken to. They only text. Carla says they plan to be married when they meet, which is canceled repeatedly. When I have asked, Carla has confusing reasons why they can’t FaceTime or speak on the phone.

Carla volunteered to come early for her yearly stay to assist us because I was having surgery. My husband bought her a plane ticket, but she decided not to use it, as Susan was going to come with her and could not travel on that date. When my surgery was done, my husband had little help.