DR. WALLACE: I met Greg at a friend's party. He had a couple of habits that I don't agree with (smoking and drinking), and he was not real handsome and his grammar needed improvement. But I sort of liked him because he made me laugh. He was a real comedian, and I've gone out with him about a dozen times since then.

For my 18th birthday, he surprised me with a friendship ring. It had several small diamonds in it, so I had it appraised at a local jewelry store and was shocked to find out that it was valued at over $600. Greg is unemployed, so I asked him where he got the ring. He told me that it was his grandmother's and she gave it to him a year ago so he could give it to the girl he might want to marry. I liked the ring, but I will never marry him.

Somehow I didn't believe him, so I contacted his granny, and she said he had found it and had given it to her, but she thought she had misplaced it. When I told Greg about this, he said that he won the ring in a poker game a year ago.

After doing a little more detective work, I found out that the ring belonged to his ex-girlfriend's mother and that it had turned up missing after a party at her house. It has great sentimental value. When I presented Greg with this additional information, he said that he didn't want me to think he was cheap, but he bought it from a guy who was addicted to cocaine and that he paid $20 for it.

What do you think I should do with this ring? I don't think it would be wise to give it back to Greg. Then the next question is: what should I do about my relationship with Greg? I think I know what you're going to say. — Nameless, Detroit, Mich.

NAMELESS: Dump this guy and make sure the ring is returned to the rightful owner immediately — no questions asked. It doesn't matter which one you do first; just do them both immediately. If you want to avoid questions from the owner, send it in the mail.

I BELIEVE MOTHER'S REASONING WAS CORRECT

DR. WALLACE: I'm in the ninth grade, and most of the time my grades are very good and I enjoy school. I am looking forward to next year and was planning to sign up for Spanish first semester. I just found out that my best friend is planning to take French, so I'm seriously thinking of changing my mind and taking French with her. That way, we could study together and practice the language.

My only problem is that my mother is insisting that I take Spanish because it would be much more useful since we have many Spanish-speaking people in this country. My dad said I should take Chinese because of the trade between the U.S. and China, but they don't offer it. What do you think I should do? — Gina. New Orleans, La.

GINA: I believe your mother's reasoning for taking Spanish is correct, and I'd advise you to continue your plans to study Spanish. You can always add another language to your resume after you learn Spanish.

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. E-mail 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.