DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I have been dating for about seven months. Two months ago, his family moved to another town thirty miles away. We decided to continue going together and go out every Saturday - the only time he can use the family car. When he lived here we saw each other every day, so it was a huge adjustment to see him only once a week.

Last Saturday, I told him I'd still go out with him when he could get the car, but I wanted to be able to go out with other guys because I hate sitting at home, especially on a Friday night. All I do is watch television with my younger brother and we wind up arguing about what to watch.

I thought he'd like my suggestion, because I'm sure that when he's not with me, he's bored, too. I sure was shocked and disappointed when he told me that if I dated another guy, he would break up with me. He also said he was very unhappy I'd even consider going out with another guy and gave me this big spiel about how he considered me his future wife. I had no idea he was so serious.

He's 18 and I'm 17 and marriage is the farthest thing from my mind right now. I really like Ted, but I also want my freedom to go out with other guys. Is this unreasonable? — Anxious, South Bend, Ind.

ANXIOUS: Your request is entirely reasonable. If he breaks up with you, that's his choice. Sooner or later you would have found out that he was much too serious. It's best that you found out now.

THE MONEY WENT TO THE SALVATION ARMY

DR. WALLACE: Last week my friend and I went to the mall to look for fall clothes. My friend didn't have much money, so she decided not to pay for the food we ate at a restaurant. She also convinced me not to pay for my food. This was a stupid thing to do and I have been feeling terrible ever since it happened. My friend says that not paying for our food is no big deal because the restaurant food wasn't that great and they overcharge for their food anyway.

My bill was for $5.95. Enclosed in this letter is $6. Please give it to the charity of your choice. I'm afraid to go back to the restaurant because I'm not sure what they would do, so please don't tell me to do that. This type of behavior will never happen again. I have such a guilty conscience that I can hardly sleep at night. I'm writing this letter to you at 1 a.m. because I'm wide awake. I know that I will feel much better once I put this letter in the mail. — Nameless, Naperville, Ill.

NAMELESS: Guess what? Your conscience is in good working order! It's there to haunt us when we cut ethical corners, take what isn't ours, or succumb to a friend's temptation to cheat or steal.

You have learned a very important lesson. And your $6 has been donated to The Salvation Army.

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.