Dear Cheryl: I've been involved with Kyle for four months. We're not together officially, but we're more than friends. And more than friends with benefits. I'm 18 and he's 26. I really, really like Kyle and have a great deal of love for him.

Some people know about us, but not everyone. Like his mother. I've been to her house a few times, but only when she's not there. He has a child and the child's mother doesn't know that Kyle and I mess around. Every time I bring her up, he gets upset.

At first he told me they weren't together, then he admitted that she's living with him because she's out of work and doesn't have any other place to stay.

I may be young, but I'm not completely stupid. I know they're being intimate. Oh, and did I mention that I've never been to his house? He takes me to some hotel or his mother's house. When I asked why, he told me his aunt was visiting from out of town.

I know I sound like a complete fool, but I really care for this man. He tells me we'll always be together. But I know he doesn't mean in a relationship like normal people. I've done a lot for this man — things that I would never do. I'm so, so, so infatuated with Kyle, it's ridiculous. I would do anything for him just to keep him in my life. Sometimes I feel I can't go on without him. — YOUNG AND IN LOVE

Dear YAIL: You say you're not completely stupid. I beg to differ.

I don't need a crystal ball to see you in 10 years — a washed up 28-year-old with a couple of kids by several different men, no life, no future, no career, nothing. In other words: a clone of Kyle's current baby momma.

You're young, but you're making decisions that will affect the rest of your life ... stupid ones that will severely limit your options.

Stop thinking about Kyle for a minute and think about yourself. Life can be so much bigger and richer than you can possibly imagine right now. But you have to prepare yourself.

Get some education or training. Dream some big dreams. Read books about self-esteem. You don't have to be stuck in a nowhere life with a dead-end loser. When you respect yourself, you won't get involved with jerks like Kyle.

Dear Cheryl: I've been in an off-and-on relationship with Savannah for over 20 years. Last summer we had a disagreement because I was also seeing another woman. I thought we'd resolved it, but since that time, five items have disappeared from my home, including an expensive pair of shoes.

The common element was Savannah's presence in my house and that I had told her all the items had special significance to me. I'm convinced she took them.

I researched kleptomania and some of her behaviors are indicative of this mental disorder. I have several questions: 1) Is there such an illness as Vindictive Kleptomania? 2) Should I discuss the missing items with her adult children? 3) Should I discuss the issue with her? — BAREFOOT

Dear BAREFOOT 1) I've never heard of it, and neither has Safari. 2) No. 3) Yes.

And why do you want to be with a woman who steals your stuff?

Got a problem? Send it, along with your questions and rants to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my new ebook, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."

Photo credit: Chris Brooker