DEAR ABBY: I may have started a war with my neighbors. About two months ago, their son, "Ricky," smashed a brick on my van while it was parked in my driveway. The damage was estimated at more than $500. I asked Ricky's parents to pay for it because I had paid them $100 a few months before, after I accidentally ran over Ricky's bike in the driveway. They didn't have to ask for the money -- I volunteered it.
When I told my neighbors about the damage, they refused to pay, saying my daughter had gotten their boy upset over a ball game they were playing. They said I should take them to court -- so that's exactly what I'm doing.
After they were served with the court papers, they called my boss and complained that I had cut them off while driving my company vehicle, a school bus. It was an outright lie. Things are starting to get out of hand. Am I wrong for wanting my van fixed? -- FRUSTRATED IN CANADA
DEAR FRUSTRATED: Of course not. If you haven't already done so, speak to your boss immediately and explain exactly what is going on. Then inform the police about the boy's act of vandalism to your van. You didn't start a war. Your neighbors did when they refused to make good on the damage their son caused.
P.S. Now that you know the kid is trouble, keep your daughter away from him.