DEAR ABBY: I am 16. I came home from a date and my mom is flipping out over my hickies. I think this is stupid. These are my first ones, and my parents are making a big deal about it. What do you think? -- MARKED IN NEWARK, DEL.
DEAR MARKED: I think it's time you had a talk with your parents about why they reacted the way they did, so they can explain it to you. Your hickies aren't what upset them. They are worried about you because they are afraid of what the hickies may lead to -- if they haven't already.