DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in a quiet suburban neighborhood where everybody pretty much knows each other. Most of us work outside the home, including myself, but the other day I did not go in. At a certain point, I heard a car pull up to the house next to mine, so I looked out the window. I saw the teenage daughter of my neighbor enter the house with a teenage boy. They stayed there for several hours before leaving. I know this is none of my business, but I feel very uncomfortable about this situation. I did not go over there because that felt like overstepping my bounds. I think I should tell her parents what I saw. Am I right, or should I keep my observations to myself? -- Not a Busybody, Salt Lake City
DEAR NOT A BUSYBODY: By all means, reach out to this teen's mom right away. Call her and tell her you do not mean to meddle, but you have something to tell her. Just say what you saw with no embellishments. Do not theorize on what may have happened in the house. Tell her approximately what time the car pulled up and how long the two were inside.
Listen for her reaction. She will likely be embarrassed, but hopefully she will be grateful that you are looking out for her child's welfare. The way she handles the information will be a cue for you as to how you will handle sharing information with her in the future.