DEAR ABBY: I loaned a treasured book to my close friend "Serena." When her younger sister moved out of state four months later, Serena told me the book had been accidentally packed up with the girl's things. She promised to buy me a new copy, but didn't.
It has now been three years, and my $20 book still has not been replaced. One day I noticed it on Serena's bookshelf. I don't want to demand she give it back for fear of seeming petty, but I really loved the book and want it back. How do I handle this? -- SERIOUS READER IN KANSAS
DEAR SERIOUS READER: The next time you are at Serena's, walk over to her bookshelf and exclaim, "Serena! I guess you were mistaken about my book being sent to your sister's because here it is!" Then take it off the shelf and take it with you. And in the future, write your name on the inside cover of your books before lending them to anyone.