ANNIE’S MAILBOX: His awkward moment lingers

By Kathy MitchelL and Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: I am 26 years old and happily married. We recently moved into our first home, next door to “Tom and Sophie,” a childless 45-year-old couple. My wife likes Sophie, and I enjoyed Tom’s company until he asked me to join him on a fishing trip.

We rented a single-room cabin for two nights, sharing all expenses. In the middle of the night, I woke up to find Tom’s hands rubbing my body. I pushed him away, offered a few choice words and began packing. He quietly drove us to our respective homes.

I told my wife about the incident, swearing her to secrecy. I don’t wish to be responsible for problems in Tom’s marriage.

However, I find it difficult to continue our relationship. We cannot afford to move to another neighborhood. What should I do?

How can our wives continue their friendship with this awkward history? How do I relate to Tom?

Mike in Alabama

Dear Mike: Here’s what you do: Act as if it never happened. Your wife can still maintain a friendship with Sophie, but you should find ways to be busy with other things. Do not encourage get-togethers, but don’t abruptly cut them off. If you gradually back away from socializing, it will seem natural. Avoid any reason to be alone with Tom. He won’t question why, and we suspect his wife won’t, either.

Dear Annie: Last weekend, I stayed at an upscale motel where they serve breakfast in the lobby. After eating, I went to the elevator, and a little boy, perhaps 6 years old, left the table where his father was eating and announced, “I’m going up to Mom.”

Dad agreed, and the boy rode up to the third floor with me, chatting the whole time, before getting off on my floor and pounding on a door down the hall.

Annie, this child could have been abducted at any time. The elevator was at the intersection of two hallways and was 10 feet from a stairwell. Anyone could have gotten on that elevator or been in the hallway when he got off.

I was tempted to say something to the parents, but figured I would be told to mind my own business.

Please remind parents that the world is not child friendly and safe, and even the most responsible “big boy” or girl could disappear in a matter of seconds.

Concerned in Texas

Dear Texas: We appreciate the heads up. Most children are safer than we fear, but still, parents need to be cautious and alert. A motel is filled with strangers, and there are hallways, doorways and empty rooms where kids can be lost — or taken. It is foolish to allow young children to run around unseen and unsupervised in such places, not only because the child can lose his way, but because it presents an opportunity for those with malicious intent. Next time, speak up. Even if the parents tell you to MYOB, they might be more circumspect in the future.

E-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Creators Syndicate