DR. WALLACE: Ken and I have been friends ever since junior high school. We both graduated in June and a day after graduation, he joined the Navy and was sent to boot camp. Before he left, he called and asked if I would write to him if he sent me his military address. I told him I would, and after he started writing to me I faithfully answered every single letter he wrote to me.

It was fun to hear all about the military life and how he was adapting to it. Then after a while, his letters seemed to be a little more romantic and sort of like he thought I was his girlfriend, even though we had never dated. Because I have had a crush on him since we first met in Algebra class, I was thrilled that he now was signing his letters "Love, Ken."

When he came home on leave, he called me and asked me to go out for lunch. I was excited because we were going out on a "real date." We enjoyed a nice lunch, but he didn't even say he was glad to see me. All he talked about was his exciting adventures in the Navy. When he dropped me off at my house, he said he'd give me a call. I waited and waited for that call but he didn't call me until the day his parents were driving him to the airport to catch his plane to go back to his base in San Diego. He said he would write to me as soon as he got back to his base.

This really has me disappointed and depressed, especially when I heard that he had taken his ex-girlfriend out to a party. I had hopes of something more, but now I think he just wanted to have me for a pen pal so he could say he got mail. He had mentioned how impressed his buddies were that he got a lot of mail.

I'm sure he will start writing to me again, but I really feel like writing, "Return to Sender" on the envelopes and then send them back unopened. What do you think? I think it will let him know that I'm not interested in being a pen pal. My mom thinks I should just continue writing to him because he's such a "nice boy and away from home for the first time." What do you think I should do? — Nameless, Aurora, Ill.

NAMELESS: The best way to let someone know how you feel is to simply tell him. Returning his letters unopened will send a message, but not a very precise one. You can convey far more with words than dramatics. Even though he disappointed you, he's still your friend and you should continue writing to him.

You never know what the future will be concerning romance. It's possible that Ken and you could become sweethearts, but it's also possible that he will just be a good friend. However, don't sit around waiting for his naval career to end to find the answer. Spend time in your community with good friends, and when a guy asks you out, and it looks like he has "boyfriend" potential, say yes to his offer.

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.