DearBunmi,

I HAVE a son who is in his late twenties and has a good job. He used to live at home until about a year ago when he went to share a flat with a friend.

My son is a bit laid back and I would be the last to call him God’s gift to women, but he seldom went out when he lived at home. In fact, his younger sister confided in me that there were talks that he preferred male company but I had no way of finding out.

Since he left home, he’s continued pretty much the way he was when he lived with us.

His flat mate seems to be the one bringing in women but my son assures me he loves women too and that he would have a commitment when he meets the right one. I wish I could believe that with these horrible homosexual stories you hear

and read about every time.

Abibat, by e-mail.

 Dear Abibat,

Short of laying siege at his flat, intent on catching your son at something you

are not even sure he is up to, I would leave the poor chap alone if I were you. He is obviously an introvert, and being constantly at his back might drive him further into his shell.

Leave him to do his own thing. He is not exactly on the shelf, is he? With

time he will meet a girl who shares the same values as he does. In the meantime,

find something else to occupy your time and leave him alone. He has left the nest!