DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Up until recently my father and our neighbor down the street were good friends. I do not know what happened, but they no longer speak to each other and openly ignore one another. Although we are not super close, I have always gotten along well with our neighbor’s sons. Now they too cut me and my whole family. I do not want to be nosy and ask what happened, but I also do not like being caught up in a fight I had no part in every time I visit my folks. Any ideas in how to get things back to normal? --- UNCOMFORTABLE NEIGHBOR
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DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: Even though you’re hesitant to ask your father what happened, it’s probably the only way you’re going to find out, if no one else in your family can or will tell you. If your dad chooses not to clue you in, you’re better off not pressing him, and even if you get an answer, you may not be able to fix the problem anyway. As awkward as the situation is, you may just have to live with it until things resolve one way or another.