DR. WALLACE: I've had a best friend for seven years and we've gone to the same school the whole time. We're unusual since she's a girl and I'm a guy. Today we are both 17 and in high school, and obviously we are both vastly different people than we were when we were two 10-year-old kids running around an elementary school playground.

We've always been platonic friends, but as we've grown older, I've found myself attracted to her and I've wanted to ask her out. However, I suffer from the classic fear in this situation: I don't want to ever lose her as a friend.

Well, last week a twist arrived, and I don't know what to think about it. My best friend wants to set me up on a blind date with another girl she met in one of her classes. I don't know this other girl, but she tells me that she feels we might be a good fit. Now I'm afraid to go on the blind date but I'm also worried that if I don't, I'll be tipping my hand that I'm interested in her. Does this make sense to you? What should I do now? I told my best friend that I'd think about it to buy some time, but I think I should answer her soon. Help! — Feeling Stuck Either Way, via email

FEELING STUCK EITHER WAY: Go on the blind date! Thank your best friend for being of such assistance in your private life and tell her that you hope she always seeks to make you happy! This can of course be a bit of a coded message to her, but it should be safe to say in this context now.

Then after the blind date is over, (unless you are floored by a wonderful blind date!) you can thank your friend for the opportunity but tell her that you wish your date was a bit more like her. This way you can gradually let your feelings for her be known without making a grand splash all at once.

Someday if you feel bold and want to make your move, you can offer to set your friend up on a blind date with a guy you know who you feel would be perfect for her. Then if she accepts the idea of going on this blind date, you show up as the guy and then the two of you are officially out on a date together. From there the rest is up to you. As a famous musician said years ago, I recommend "three chords and the truth" here, meaning that at some point you let her know how you feel. I trust that even if the two of you never find romance, your friendship can still exist and even flourish going forward. And if you two do hit it off on your "blind date," then your bold step will have been well worth the perceived risk.

MIGHT MY GRANDFATHER BE CONTAGIOUS?

DR. WALLACE: Our family is planning to visit my grandfather in two weeks. We have to drive five hours from our home because he lives in the next state over from us.

I'm 13 years old and I've overheard my parents talking about my grandfather a lot because he has some sort of terminal disease. I think this might be because he was a heavy cigarette and cigar smoker during his entire life.

I'd like to know if I would be in any danger by being in his presence when we go to his house. I know that during the COVID-19 pandemic we all had to wear masks and stay away from each other. Do I have to be careful not getting too close to my grandfather if he has lung cancer? — Worried Teenager, via email

WORRIED TEENAGER: If your grandfather unfortunately does have lung cancer, you will not be in danger of catching it from him.

But at this point it seems you don't know exactly what his terminal disease is, so it's quite all right to ask your parents about this. Approach them respectfully, tell them how much you care for your grandfather and ask them if you need to take any special precautions while you are in his presence when you go to visit him. Hopefully your parents can tell you exactly what his situation is, and you could learn about his illness and do your best to comfort him and spend time with him, as I'm sure he will truly enjoy seeing you.

And as far as safety precautions go, your parents should lead the way in making this decision, depending upon what your grandfather's situation exactly is. I trust they will be open and honest with you if you ask them politely, so I recommend that you do so to put your mind at ease before you go on this trip.

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.

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