Annie’s Mailbox: Difficult choice shows you care

Dear Annie: I am a high school student and have a friend, “Alice,” who is only 14 years old. We are very close. We even call each other brother and sister. Alice has been in some sketchy relationships in the past, but her most recent one has really got me worried. She confided that she is going out with a 20-year-old man, “Steve.”

Alice says she met Steve at a party, and she thought he was younger. (Like that makes it OK.) Steve also has a daughter, which means that he has knocked up somebody before.

I asked two of my female friends for advice, and one said I need to take action or something bad will happen. I know I should, but if I say anything to Alice, I’m afraid she might think I am interfering and it will hurt our close relationship. My other friend said I should not get involved because Alice won’t listen to me. She also said Alice’s problem is not my fault, and Alice knows it’s wrong to date Steve.

Because I am the only person Alice has told about this, I feel somewhat obligated to do something. Please help. – Concerned Friend

Dear Friend: Sometimes friends must make difficult choices. You need to protect Alice, and this means telling someone about Steve. Please confide in your parents and ask them to discuss the situation with Alice’s folks. If you don’t speak up, you will never forgive yourself if something terrible happens. Alice may become angry with you, but she also will know you care enough about her to take that risk. In fact, we think that’s what she is hoping for. Good luck.

Dear Annie: I am 5-foot-8, 140 pounds – a normal weight for my height. I exercise regularly. Unfortunately, while the rest of me is nicely proportioned, I store all of my fat in my belly area.

I am sick and tired of people asking me if I’m pregnant. It is so rude, plus it hurts my feelings and makes me feel fat and ugly. Not once has anyone apologized for being mistaken, no matter how I handle the situation.

Please advise your readers that unless you have received an invitation to the baby shower or someone is wearing a “Baby on Board” T-shirt, keep your mouth shut. And here’s one more: If you ask someone if they have children and they say “No,” the appropriate response is to mind your own business. It is not to ask, “Why not?” Thanks for letting me vent. – Childless by Choice in Chicago

Dear Chicago: Some people are just rude and don’t realize it, or don’t care. You can’t do anything to stop their inappropriate questions, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to respond, either. In the meantime, please talk to a trainer about that belly fat. It’s a very dangerous place to accumulate weight.