My female friend and I became very close; we shared a history of serious relationships gone sour years ago and supported each other.      
      I’ve developed feelings for her – but feared ruining our friendship. A mutual friend said that my feelings are reciprocated, so I confessed.      
      She’s distanced herself from me, feeling conflicted and needing to figure things out on her own (I believe I can help her, as a friend). We have numerous mutual friends and run into each other at social gatherings.      
      Should I also distance myself to avoid awkwardness or press forward in hopes of winning her feelings? I want to salvage the friendship that I value most.
      - Friends First

Don’t chill, it’ll only increase the discomfort between you. Tell her you want, most, to remain close friends, but that means you are NOT the person to help her work through whether she has feelings for you.    
      Also, you and she should not be discussing relationships, old or new, for a while. She needs time to decide if the closeness includes the possibility of romance.
      You need to discover if your feelings will allow you to continue having an emotional connection without full intimacy. Meet, socialize, but don’t push.

I'm 27, a virgin, never had a relationship. I recently met a “quality” guy, but I’m nervous. I’m afraid he’ll find it a “chore” to have to teach me to be good in bed. I'm also unsure how to tell a potential bed partner of my total inexperience. When is this appropriate?
      - Feeling Pathetic

Many men would be proud that a partner had saved herself until she felt she was with the right, “quality” guy. You can be proud, too.      
      Stop fretting and get to know him without sex until you feel confident he’s worth it for you! Then, tell him when you’re ready. Meanwhile, read some sex manuals and talk to your doctor for basic information.

Ten years ago, my brother left his wife for a woman he'd had an affair with. Two years ago, we learned his girlfriend has some mental health issue; she’s getting help but no one knows for what.     
      Since being with her, my brother’s isolated himself from us. They almost never attend family functions. I’ve invited them, but with little response. He’s blamed our parents for not being welcoming enough to his new partner.      
      I disagree, but that's his perception. His emails to my parents now say he wants nothing to do with them because of their "behaviour.” I’m worried.       
      I wonder if this lady's mental health problem is causing this self-imposed isolation and pushing us away; or if what his partner believes about my family is making him think that way, too.     
       Perhaps his care-giving or "shielding" responsibilities are affecting his judgment. What can I do? I miss my brother.
      - Worried Sister

Too much judgment, too little compassion. Your brother had the affair, too, yet you’ve never stopped seeing her as “that woman.” It’s very likely your parents held on to this view, too.    
      Of course, your brother’s influenced by his wife’s reactions … he’s being a stand-up guy in supporting her, and yes, he may also be overwhelmed with responding to her illness.    
      Show your caring about him – and her – by asking how you can help. If he accepts that you’re sincere and trustworthy, inquire about her condition so you can understand her better.     
      Then you can inform your parents and hopefully arouse their desire to help their son and his partner.

I recently learned that my uncle abused my sister during her childhood. Our parents, seemingly unaware, adore him, although he has violent outbursts.     
      My sister wants to forget it, but my wife and I want to cut him off. We have young children and I’m angry that my parents let this happen and hate pretending, when there’s a monster among us.     
      But my sister fears exposure from the reaction of my family and her own husband.
      - Complicated Decision

Protecting any children from this abuser remains necessary. Keep your anger focused on the man and his criminal behaviour.      
      You and your sister’s husband should, together, alert the police and ask them to speak to him. You want him to stay away from family or community gatherings that children attend.     
      Meanwhile, try to convince your sister to get counselling help, and document the abuse in case evidence is ever needed.