Dear Cheryl: I've gotten myself into a nutty and embarrassing situation, and I'm desperately seeking advice. I'm a vivacious, attractive woman of 29 who's been happily married for six years with two children. My husband, Ned, and I have a playful and very exciting sex life. (We're both responsible professionals.) Ned's parents are very stodgy and stern but love being with their grandchildren.

Ned and I had been planning a three-day weekend by ourselves during which his parents would take our children to their summer home at the shore. Right on schedule, my in-laws picked up the kids at 3 p.m. and left. Perfect start!

Ned was due home from work at 5 o'clock, and I called my girlfriend Addie, who lives across the street, to come over for some preparation. Addie and I often do crazy things together, so she wasn't a bit flustered when I handed her a bag of ropes and told her to tie me up really good. I thought it would be an unusual turn-on for Ned to come home and find me bound and gagged. I plopped a kitchen chair down in the middle of the living room, and Addie got to work.

When she was done, my arms were tied behind my back and most of me, including my legs, was tied up quite tightly. I was wearing a very provocative red sweater and jeans. We chatted a bit, and at 4:30, Addie gagged me with a kerchief and went home, undoubtedly then watching from her window.

About 20 minutes later, I heard a car pulling into our driveway, a door slam and a sharp knock at the door, which was unlocked.

Moments later, in walked my mother-in law! (The kids naturally forgot something.) Then in came the kids and grandpa. They all stood there gaping. In another moment, Addie ran in. While my mother-in-law was trying to get the gag out of my mouth, Addie (aware of the children) was trying to explain the "game" we were playing. Ned walked in, sized things up and began roaring with laughter, much to the annoyance of his parents.

Well, the grandparents, kids and Addie left pretty quickly, and Ned let me sit tight for a few minutes before we began our weekend. Needless to say, I'm in a real tizzy. It's now a month later. The kids have accepted my "silly game" explanation, but my in-laws haven't said a word, and they give me strange looks. Ned says not to worry, but I think I've become persona non grata with his parents, and I really want them to know that I'm a responsible wife and parent. How can I possibly resurrect myself in the minds of these austere people? — COMPLETELY TIED UP

Dear CTU: Let Ned handle this. They're his parents. He should be the one to tell them that you're both responsible adults who enjoy fooling around, that you'd never do anything (again) to hurt or traumatize the children and that you'll be more careful in the future.

Next time you decide to have some fun, lock the door. And always, always, always have a cellphone where you can reach it!

(No, gentle reader, this is not the weirdest letter I've ever gotten. It's far from it!!)

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