DR. WALLACE: Matt and I have been friends for over four years. We both graduated last June and a day after graduation, he joined the Navy and was sent to boot camp in San Diego, Calif. Before he left he called and asked if I would write to him if he sent me his military address. I said that I would. He wrote, and I answered every one of his letters faithfully. At first, he was telling me all about his new experiences concerning military life. Then his letters started to be a bit romantic. It was like I was his steady girlfriend, even though I wasn't. But all this got me really excited because I have always had a crush on Matt ever since I first laid eyes on him. He even signed his name, "Love, Matt" on his last several letters.

About a week ago he surprised me by calling and telling me that he was coming home for a short leave and that we would be going out. This really made me feel good because we had never gone out on a date. When Matt arrived home on Tuesday he called and we went out for "pie and coffee" in the afternoon. I was home by 5 p.m. Our entire conversation was about his life in the Navy. He didn't mention one word about being glad to see me or a word about romance. When he took me home after our "date," he said he would call me.

Well, I waited and waited, but no phone call until Monday afternoon. He said that his parents were driving him to the airport and that he would write to me just as soon as he got back to his San Diego base. I know that I have no reason to be depressed and upset, but that's exactly the way I feel. I think all he wanted was a pen pal and to be able to say, "I got mail" when mail was passed out to the sailors.

I know he will start writing to me again. What should I do? My sister thinks I should write, "Return to Sender" on the envelope and send them back to him unopened. This will send a message that I'm not satisfied with about an hour of his time and one cup of coffee with pie. My mother thinks I should continue writing to him because she thinks he is "such a cute and polite boy." What is your opinion? —Nameless, Baltimore, Md.

NAMELESS: Continue writing to Matt. You might not be his "girlfriend" at this time, but I'm sure you still consider him to be a friend. Matt does care for you and considers you a special friend. Keep your letters full of local happenings and forget about romance even if his letters again start to get "romantic." He will be in Baltimore on leave again in the future. The time spent with him at that time will determine if you two will have a romantic future or just remain good friends.

TANNING BOOTHS AND SUN LAMPS ARE NOT SAFE

DR. WALLACE: Both of my parents are fair-skinned and so am I, so we stay out of the sun as much as possible. But I'm tired of looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost's sister. I always look like I'm deathly ill. One of my friends is planning to go to a tanning booth. She says a person can get a good, safe tan there. Is this true? —Sherry, Riverside, Calif.

SHERRY: No. Tanning booths and sunlamps both emit ultraviolet rays, which cause skin damage, and are therefore NOT safe alternatives to the natural sun, according to the American Cancer Society.

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 [email protected]. 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.