DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have just returned from a week-long vacation at an ocean resort. Another couple, "Al and Gloria," went with us. We booked separate rooms, and for the most part enjoyed each other's company. However, I observed one thing that disturbed me.
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As I sat on the balcony one night waiting for my wife to dress for dinner, I saw Gloria walking on the beach. I watched as she picked up a child's boogie board that was lying at the edge of the surf.
When we were loading the trunk of the rental car to go home, she attempted to conceal the boogie board with their luggage.
My wife and I were astonished at Gloria's behavior. We didn't know whether or not we should confront her. On the trip home, I made some jokes about surfing, but I don't think she got the hint.
Abby, should we keep quiet and preserve our friendship, or ask her why she stole a child's toy? -- PERPLEXED IN NEW CASTLE, DEL.
DEAR PERPLEXED: Much depends upon how close your friendship is with "Al and Gloria." If you feel the friendship is worth preserving, ask Gloria why she concealed the boogie board instead of turning it in to lost-and-found at the hotel. It's possible she thought the board had been abandoned.
If you're not close and do not wish to risk a confrontation, perhaps the time has come to distance yourselves.