DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and had been dating a guy steadily for over a year, but I broke up with him because his coach told the players he would "prefer" that they devote all of their spare time to basketball rather than girls. My ex said that once basketball season ended, he would get back with me if I wanted him back.

I will go back with him, but during the basketball season I may want to go out with other guys. I don't feel like I want to sit at home every weekend when I could be out having fun. Any advice will be appreciated. — An Indiana Lassie.

LASSIE: Basketball season lasts between 10 to 12 weeks. If you want to keep this guy as a steady boyfriend, I'd suggest that you forego your desire to go out with other guys and spend more time with your female friends, family and, yes, unless you are a straight A student, with your studies.

I'M VERY ASHAMED OF MYSELF

DR. WALLACE: My mother and I had a huge argument over the amount of time I spend on the Internet. It wound up with me slamming the door of my room and yelling, "I hate you! I wish you would die!" After I took a shower, I went over to my friend's house for almost three hours. When I got home I learned that Dad had called the paramedics because Mom was having trouble breathing. She was taken to the emergency room. That was three days ago, and she's still hospitalized in serious condition.

Now I really feel terrible. I believe I'm the one who caused my mom to get sick. I've visited her twice, but I didn't say anything about our huge fight. I do know she was glad to see me because she held my hand for a half hour and told me she loved me. I'm going to see her again tomorrow, and I'm going to apologize to her and tell her I didn't mean what I said in the fight. That was a very cruel and stupid thing for me to say to my mother. She is a wonderful mom and I love her very much. I'm very much ashamed of myself.

Why would I say these things to my mother when I didn't really mean them? I'm basically considered to be a good kid from a good family. I'd like to say that the devil made me do it, but the devil's not to blame; I am. — Sorrowful, Nashville, Tenn.

MS. SORROWFUL: We all occasionally say things we don't mean when we lose our temper. When that happens, there's only one thing we can do: apologize. The words "I'm sorry" and "I love you" go a long way in easing whatever pain your outburst may have caused. When you do apologize to Mom (with hugs and kisses) be sure to forgive yourself as well. She clearly has already forgiven you!

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.