DR. WALLACE: I'm a 16-year-girl and I left home without my parents' permission because my stepfather was trying to sexually abuse me. I told my mother about his aggressive behavior, but she wouldn't believe me. She said all I was trying to do was to destroy her third marriage to the only man she has ever loved.

I felt it was better to leave home than to stay in a place where my mother calls me a liar and my stepfather has a mental problem. I am now in Mississippi, but I'm running low on money and have no way of getting any more. The only person I'm in contact with is my best friend. My mother has contacted the police and I am now considered a delinquent runaway.

My friend is encouraging me to contact the National Runaway Switchboard people for help. Please give me their telephone number and please tell me what kind of help they can give me. Please help me. I'll be reading your column every day looking for your answer. — Nameless, Somewhere in Mississippi.

NAMELESS: The toll-free U.S. number for the National Runaway Switchboard is 1-(800) 786-2929. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The volunteer who answers your phone call will help you find food, shelter, medical assistance and any other necessity.

The volunteer will also contact anyone you would like to give a message to and let them know you are well, but will keep all information about your whereabouts confidential. The switchboard is a lifeline to teens in your position. I urge you to call them immediately.

And please be aware that you have rights and options. Your welfare is everyone's concern, and you deserve more in life than a choice between life on the streets or sexual abuse at home.

I AGREE WITH YOU

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and my best friend is 17. She is now seven months pregnant and is going to keep her baby. Her mother will take care of the baby when my friend returns to school in the fall.

My friend's older, married sister is having a baby shower for her and I was sent an invitation. I want to go, but my parents won't let me. They think it's tacky that a baby shower is being held for an unwed mother-to-be. They say that a baby shower is meant to be a celebration and my friend has nothing to celebrate.

The gifts will be for the baby who doesn't care that his mother isn't married. I don't have a lot of extra money, but I do have enough to buy a nice present. Do you think I should be permitted to attend this baby shower? After all, this girl is my best friend. — Nameless, Chicago, Ill.

NAMELESS: You're absolutely right about the baby, whose birth is as worthy of celebration as every other baby's birth. Obey your parents decision, but buy a baby gift and give it to your friend saying that you won't be attending the shower, but don't say why.

Your friend is in a difficult situation and needs your love and support more than ever now. Do whatever you can to comfort her!

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 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.