Teen runaway faces silence at home

DEAR AMY >> A few weeks ago, I ran away from home because I couldn't get my way.

I wasn't gone the whole day.

When I came back my mom felt disrespected because of what I had done.

Since then, she hasn't talked to me because I never apologized.

She thinks that I should have apologized after the situation happened.

I understand this, and when I look back on what I did it was really dumb, but I wouldn't say I like talking about it.

I really don't want to continue our relationship as a family if there is no communication.

How can I make her talk to me again?

— Troubled Teen

DEAR TEEN >> I want to point out that you and your mom have actually communicated. After you came home, she communicated that she felt disrespected and that she wanted an apology.

You say that you understand this, and yet it sounds as if you haven't apologized.

Your mother should not be freezing you out. She is supposed to be mature and forgiving. She's supposed to know what to do and how to act. And yet parents are people. They get their feelings hurt and don't always know what to do.

I think you should write to her. Explain how you were feeling when you chose to leave home, and how sad you feel, now.

I hope you will connect with your school counselor, who might be able to help further.

DEAR AMY >> My coworker “Hank” and I work in different departments.

Occasionally he travels to my area to communicate with my colleagues. He would then strike up a conversation with me.

Everyone noticed his flirting and the chemistry between us.

After a few months of this, I worked up enough courage to ask for his phone number.

He happily obliged and we texted for about two weeks.

All of a sudden, Hank hit me with, “I have a girlfriend, so I don't want to give the wrong impression.” I was so thrown off, I deleted his number and blocked him.

He's totally different now. He's not talking to me much, he's very short with me in passing, but he seems to have taken a liking to my coworker, who sits directly next to me.

They have conversations like he and I did, and she's told me she is starting to like him.

I've told her to “go for it,” but in reality, I just want to die when she talks about it.

— Dying at Work

DEAR DYING >> First of all, you've done nothing wrong. You were assertive and authentic when you followed through on “Hank's” flirtation. He then let you down by offering what I would call a “soft pass,” using the reason that he has a girlfriend.

And just as you've done nothing wrong, he really hasn't, either. His chill toward you might be because you've blocked his number.

But the way for you to behave now is to rise above it, to be natural and charming, to excel at your work, and to not let this episode change you in the slightest.