Apologize for losing your cool

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Updated: March 6, 2012 8:12AM

Dr. Wallace: My cousin, who’s a friend, had been going with Clyde on and off for over a year. On Christmas Eve, Clyde called me and said that he broke up with her and asked me to attend a New Year’s party with him. I said yes, and we have gone out about a half a dozen times since.

Last week, my cousin came over to our house for a visit and when I was finishing my homework, my bigmouth younger sister told my cousin that Clyde and I are dating. Apparently, my cousin didn’t know this. When she saw me later, she went into a frenzy. I tried to explain, but she wouldn’t cool down. Finally, I told her to get out of my house and never come back. As she was leaving, she called me Brutus. I’m well aware that he was the one who stabbed his best friend, Julius Caesar, in the back with a knife.

My sister and my mother think that I owe my cousin an apology. I don’t think so. I didn’t do anything wrong. I only started getting interested in Clyde when he said that he wasn’t interested in my cousin
anymore. Our house is in a big
turmoil since all this happened. What should I do?

Nameless, Jackson, Miss.

Nameless: Any time someone orders a friend out of her house, an apology is necessary. You lost your cool, so be mature enough to admit it. Don’t allow your pride to keep you from correcting a huge mistake on your part. Call or email your cousin today and say, “I’m sorry,” and apologize for your unacceptable behavior. If she doesn’t accept your apology now, she might at a later time.

Dr. Wallace: I went with Richard for about three months, and then I broke up with him because I was bored. That was two months ago, and my thoughts have changed. I want Richard back. I’ve dated about five different guys and when I compare them with Richard, my old boyfriend always comes out on top. My problem is that Richard is dating another girl who just happens to be my best friend. What should I do? I want Richard back, but I don’t want my best friend to get mad at me. I’m 17 and so is Richard.

Valerie, Alameda, Calif.

Valerie: You’ve dated five different guys; make it six, seven and eight or until you date a guy who has “potential.” In no way should you tamper with Richard while he is dating your best friend. You don’t want to lose the friendship of a best friend, and don’t be so sure Richard is as eager to get back together as you are.

Write to Dr. Wallace at
rwallace@galesburg.net