DR. WALLACE: My dad is my problem. I know he loves me and wants only the best for me and I love him dearly, too. However, we often have disagreements, and when this happens he sometimes tells me "If you don't like it around here, then you can leave." This hurts my feelings and makes me feel like he really would like me to leave rather than calmly discuss things and compromise. I always have my homework complete and I'm on the Honor Roll. I behave myself and, in fact, you could call me a "goody-goody." (No drinking, drugs, sex, or smoking — ever.)

I'm 17 and I have a part-time job so I can save my money and help pay for my college tuition. My schedule is very busy and I work in a nice restaurant on Friday nights from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 3 to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I like my job and it pays well.

My problem is that because of my job I don't have much time for any social life. I have a boyfriend, but I don't get to see him too often. My dad won't let me go out on a school night, but all I'm asking for is one night a week to go out for a pizza and a soda, even on a Sunday evening after work. And I could be home by 10 p.m. Don't you think one night out (and in early) would be reasonable for me to see my boyfriend? — Nameless, Carol Stream, Ill.

NAMELESS: Your request is more than reasonable. Your parents should be proud of such an ambitious, intelligent teenager. But if they refuse to allow you one school-night date, accept their decision and cut back on your weekend work schedule.

SILENCE CAN BE DEADLY

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 15-year-old girl and I want to share my story with your readers. One of my close friends recently told me and two other close friends at her sleepover that she was thinking about taking her own life. She told us all to not tell anyone about her plans. The other two friends told me they didn't think she was serious and that they weren't going to tell anyone about it, but somehow I just couldn't keep quiet about it.

I called my youth director at our church and told her about it and then I discussed it with my mother. Telling them was the best thing I could have done. Both my mom and the youth director contacted my friend's parents and she is now alive and well and is receiving professional counseling.

After I told people she was suicidal, I was really afraid that my friend would never speak to me again, but after she started counseling, she called me and told me she forgave me. Her family has thanked me many times over. Even if my friend hadn't forgiven me, I would have been happy she was still alive and healing.

Please print my letter. I want all teens to understand that if they hear someone threaten to commit suicide, they should tell a responsible adult who would know how to intervene. It is better to be safe than sorry because under these circumstances, silence can be deadly. — Nameless, Oakland, Calif.

NAMELESS: Thanks for your excellent advice. It could save a very precious life!

FRECKLES ARE BEAUTY MARKS

DR. WALLACE: I've got an abundance of freckles on my face and arms and I despise them. What causes them and how can I get rid of them? — Coco, Reno, Nev.

COCO: There is nothing you can do to rid yourself of freckles, which serve as part of your skin's protection against the sun.

But by staying out of the sun, you can keep them to a minimum. Freckles are caused by an uneven distribution and production of something called Melanin, which is a substance that gives skin its color.

Some girls consider freckles to be beauty marks and many guys, including me, agree.

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@galesburg.net. 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.