DEAR ABBY: I am a 67-year-old widow of two years. I live alone in the country, about a mile from a small two-stoplight town. My problem is that a nice gentleman who lives about seven hours away has been coming to see me from time to time, and he calls me every day, sometimes twice a day. He would like to come to see me and stay at my house, since he lives so far away. I am reluctant to let him because I don't know if it would be proper. I trust him, but I don't want to do anything that would embarrass my children and grandchildren.
What do you think? Should I let him stay at my house? -- LONELY IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR LONELY: By all means allow him to come and visit -- it's the only way the two of you will be able to decide whether the relationship has a future. However, because there are no secrets in a community as small as yours, invite one of your grandchildren to "chaperone" during his visits. If the relationship becomes romantic, the two of you should arrange to take some trips together. The tongues may still wag, but at least you'll have a degree of privacy.