DR. WALLACE: I'm now a 20-year-old college sophomore. Back when I was in high school, I was a popular cheerleader, and I enjoyed a busy social life.

I dated a few different guys, and one in particular was close to me for about 8 months, from the last bit of junior year through the first couple months of senior year. We eventually broke things off, and I dated a different guy about a month later for the remainder of my high school days. That relationship also ended, and now that I'm in college, my studies and my future career are more of a priority for me than dating is. I socialize occasionally, but date infrequently.

Last weekend, to my shock, I returned to my family home on a Sunday evening and found my last high school boyfriend sitting at the kitchen table with my parents! Apparently, he also visits his parents in our hometown when he comes back from his college. I was taken aback and didn't want to make small talk with him and them, so I excused myself to go to the store to pick up a few items. I did visit a local store, but while there I texted my mother and asked her to tell me when he had left. I told my mother I would not return until he was gone. About a half hour later, my mother texted me and let me know he had gone.

When I returned, my father scolded me and called me "immature" for running out of the house just because my ex was visiting. Well, I can tell you that my parents don't know the reason we broke up, and I don't want to interact with him or see him for any reason. Was my behavior out of line, or do you feel I was justified to leave as I did? My parents always liked this guy the best of any of my dates that they met in person. — I Won't Ever Interact With Him Again, via email

I WON'T EVER INTERACT WITH HIM AGAIN: We all have free will, so in my opinion, you are absolutely entitled to decide where you want to be and who you do or do not wish to socialize or interact with.

Your father was obviously unaware of your feelings about this person. I suggest that you simply tell your father what you've told me. You don't need to go into any specific details, but let him know that there are reasons you broke up with your ex, and those reasons also dictate why you do not wish to see or interact with him.

Tell your father that you can understand why your parents would welcome him and speak with him, but that from here forward you simply wish to be informed of any of his visits that may conflict or overlap with any of your planned visits. This is entirely reasonable, and by saying nothing more, you won't have your parents bring up anything to him that you do not wish for them to discuss with him.

I'D LIKE TO HELP GRANDPA, SO SHOULD I MENTION THIS?

DR. WALLACE: I'm 18 and am a senior in high school. I have a wonderful grandfather, and he and I have always been close.

He's now getting up there in years, and he has really bad back pain that torments him daily. My father takes him to the doctor, and so far, they have tried over-the-counter pain medications which did not work too well.

I understand they moved up to the doctor prescribing an opioid that caused Grandpa to be very foggy and unable to function much at all. So, it seems they are stuck. I have another idea for them, but I've been afraid to bring it up so far. It's CBD gummies or even CBD oils that my grandpa could try. Do you think I should say anything or just keep out of this matter entirely? — His Eldest Grandson, via email

HIS ELDEST GRANDSON: Since your idea obviously comes from a heartfelt concern for your dear grandfather, I feel it's worth bringing up.

Start by mentioning it to your parents and suggest that they run the idea by his family doctor. From there, a decision can be made either way. Some seniors do find pain relief via these products, so I see no harm at all with your suggestion being mentioned to his doctor.

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 rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. 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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