DR. WALLACE: A year ago my mom got into a huge fight with her father (my grandfather). Since then, I have not seen my grandfather or my grandmother.

I really love them, and it makes me sad that I can't be with them. My mom is very stubborn and refuses to have any contact with grandpa.

Last week, my mother got a call from Grandma saying that Grandpa is very ill and that he wants to see me and make peace with my mom. I was excited because I thought that I would see Grandpa and Grandma again and that Mom and Grandpa would be friends. But this is not going to happen. Mom told me she was not going to see her father and that if he died, she wouldn't attend his funeral.

I told my mom that I wanted to see my grandparents and find out about Grandpa's illness, but she said that she wouldn't drive me there. If I went, I'd have to have someone else do the driving. I called my dad (my parents are divorced), and he said that he would be glad to drive me to and from my grandparents' house. He also said that he would like to see his former in-laws because he likes them.

Even though Mom said I could see my grandparents, she is upset that I called my dad. Should I call Dad and tell him that it's best if he didn't pick me up? I'm 14 and still have four more years living with Mom, so I don't want her mad at me for all this time. What should I do? — Sandra, Baltimore, Md.

SANDRA: It's a shame that children get caught up in family squabbles and suffer because of it. You are a totally innocent bystander in the differences between your mom and grandfather. It's important that you see your grandparents as soon as possible. Have your father take you, and spend as much time there as you can. It would be nice if you could visit your grandparents on a regular basis. See if this can be arranged.

I ALMOST MELTED WHEN OUR EYES MET

DR. WALLACE: Last Saturday, my best friend and I were window-shopping at the mall when I saw the cutest guy I had ever seen. He and his buddy were walking toward us, and when he looked up and our eyes met I thought I was going to melt! We didn't say anything to each other, but we didn't have to because I just immediately fell in love with him. I felt like running after him and asking him for his phone number, but I restrained myself. I really feel that I must find this guy because I love him with all my heart.

How can I find this guy? I feel he is destined to be my husband. — Lisa, San Francisco, Calif.

LISA: You are not really in love with this guy, merely infatuated with his appearance. San Francisco and suburbs have about 10 million people. Your chances of finding him are extremely slim.

Enjoy the memory and continue your quest for the "real" future husband — one you can enjoy spending lots of time with.

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.