My mother lives with me since my brother and his wife used to harass her. We are happy with this arrangement. Recently, I heard from relatives that my brother is very unhappy. He holds us responsible for abandoning him with his abusive wife. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Do you care what your brother actually thinks? And since when are you so naive as to believe some whining relatives? Look son, you are a mere mortal and not Mother Teresa so lose the compassion and keep your limited sanity intact. The reality is that you are happy and hopefully your mother is happy and that is all that matters. As for your brother being abandoned by you in the care of his abusive wife, how on earth do you care? Even if you were to be nice to him, he is surely not going to leave his inheritance to you.

I am 16 and in love with a girl who is 17. She admits to liking me but has a problem with my age.

Name and address withheld

Take her to see The Graduate and as for her ‘liking’ you, you guys aren’t exactly trying to play a game of Scrabble. So tell her to take a call: she can either treat you as a lover or she can treat you like a younger brother. Frankly at 16, you have too many choices, so why are you so bent on wooing a woman who would much rather cuddle you than play with you — if you know what I mean?

I am 17. My girlfriend broke up with me but now claims to still love me. She introduces me as her friend. Recently, another girl asked me out. What should I do?

Name and address withheld

Of course go out with this ‘new’ girl and hope to hell that your ex manages to see the two of you. And listen son, she is too smart: this whole thing of being a ‘friend’ is a security blanket that most clever women wear in order to keep their options open. In this case, you seem to be that blanket son.

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25,
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous

(Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)