I have a crush on the perfect guy, but I can’t get over this flaw with his appearance

DEAR ABBY: There is one man I am attracted to and have a lot in common with. The problem is his teeth are crooked and yellow and I can’t get over it. He’s a bit older than me so I’m not sure we’d get along even if he got his teeth fixed. But I won’t know until something is done. I’m not someone who likes confrontation, so it’s hard for me to say anything. How to deal with this problem? — STANDS ABOVE HIS SMILE

LOVE frown: It would be appropriate to wait until you are SURE you are attracted to this person. If you then decide, talk to him at a time when both of you are relaxed. Smile and say something like, “You know, ‘John,’ you’re such an attractive person. You might want to consider talking to your dentist about a little work. If so, you’d be an absolute hunk.” His response should show if there’s a common path forward, or give him something to chew on.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 45 years. We are both retired and have hobbies that keep us busy. My problem is that he has so many friends that he doesn’t have time for all the things we are supposed to do together. I seem to be the last person he wants anything to do with. I don’t mind spending time alone, but after a while I feel lonely and abandoned. When a vacation is planned, it is always planned around its schedule. — LONELY IN MINNESOTA

LOVE LONELY: Could you possibly develop an interest in one of your husband’s hobbies? This way you could spend less time alone. If that is not possible, tell him that you are unhappy and that the current situation makes you feel lonely and isolated. Too much alone time is not healthy. If he is willing to compromise, your problem is solved. However, if he’s inflexible, you’ll need to find more activities to fill your time that involve other people.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have two close friends. They were a married couple but are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Last winter, while they were still together, they came over and brought us an outdoor heater to borrow. It broke in our care so we bought them a new one. They knew it was in our garage but they never came to pick it up. (Backstory: He cheated and keeps her house. She kept many of the interior/exterior items, some over his objection.)

My husband called him last weekend to remind him again to pick it up. Coincidentally she asked me about it today and wants to come and get it as soon as possible and forestall him. To be honest, I don’t know who to go to. I hate being in the middle and I hate confrontations. My husband thinks it should go to the man because he called and reminded him. What should we do? — CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE

LOVE CAUGHT: Give these ex-spouses a deadline after which you want the heating removed from your property. Whoever gets there first can have it. Don’t get involved any further.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, aka Jeanne Phillips, and founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.