Dr. Wallace: I recently moved to my grandmother’s condo, because my parents were going through a really rough divorce, and it seemed neither of them had much time or energy to devote to me with all that they were dealing with. The good news is that I’m now only a few months from turning 18, and I am pretty independent and have my own car.

I’m a good student and an overall good citizen who stays out of trouble. But a few days after I started living in Granny’s condo, I met a girl only a year older than I am who lives just a few doors down the street. This girl and I went for a walk to a convenience store together. Of course, we both wore our masks into the store. We went down separate aisles looking at snacks.

I had never met this girl before, but I was happy to be around someone roughly my own age. While we were looking around the store, I saw the girl take something off the shelf and put it in her pocket! I was shocked. I don’t know what she took, but I do know she was not planning on paying for it, since she was nervously glancing around the store once the item went into her pocket. I immediately left the store and walked home by myself.

I’m really sad that I don’t have any neighborhood friends right now, but this was kind of a traumatic experience for me, so I just walked out on her without looking back. What should I do if I see this girl again? She’s sure to ask me why I ran away from her, and I don’t want to have that conversation with her if I can avoid it. — Uncomfortable, via email

Uncomfortable: Tell this girl that you don’t want to be her friend; you don’t need to get into all of the details why. Simply mention that you always seek to do the right thing and to avoid drama.

She’ll likely get the hint without you needing to say much more.

Shoplifting is a very serious offense. If convicted, the guilty party could have a criminal record that could hinder their future in multiple ways.

Sometimes teens shoplift for the thrill of it. It might seem like a source of excitement, but the excitement turns quickly to despair once a shoplifter gets caught! You did the right thing to take no part in this situation at all.

l

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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