DEAR ABBY: My problem involves my best girlfriend's brother and mother. Her brother -- I'll call him Ben -- and I have become very close. I love him a lot. The problem is his mom. She hasn't forbidden us to see each other (she probably knows we'd see each other anyway), but she won't let me come over if she's not there.
She never gives us any privacy or any time alone. She's overprotective and babies him a lot. If I say anything, she tells me it's none of my business. I should tell you that I'm 21 and Ben is 16. Is there any way to reassure her that we know what we're doing?
Please print this because I would like to show her your answer. -- KNOWS WHAT I'M DOING
DEAR KNOWS: You are an adult, but the boy is underage, so I implore you to back off. If you refuse to do so, his parents could take legal action against you.
The best way to reassure Ben's mother is to respect the rules of her household.