DEAR ABBY: A month ago, my 7-year-old son was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike in a crosswalk. He's fine now. His injuries were minor, although it was frightening. Police and paramedics responded quickly, and I took my son to the hospital to have him fully checked.

Later that day, a police officer came by our house with a new bike for our son, purchased by the driver of the vehicle. He gave us a paper with the driver's insurance information and said something to the effect of, "Her address is on there too, if you want to thank her for the new bike. That was really nice of them." I was shocked that he would say that.

I guess it was a nice gesture, but she hit my son with a car! The driver admitted to having been distracted. At the scene, she said she thought she had hit a dog. I could go on, but suffice it to say the driver was 100% at fault.

I put the new bike away in the garage. My son saw it there and wanted to ride it. I held out until our insurance claim was accepted, and we went for a ride today. The new bike is not as good as his old one, but he was excited about it because it is a different color. I'm so grateful that he is doing well and isn't afraid of biking again. My question is, do I have to write that thank-you note? If so, can you please give me the words? -- BICYCLE MOMMY IN WASHINGTON

DEAR MOMMY: I can think of a few choice words, but no rule of etiquette demands you thank the woman for the bicycle that was destroyed because of her inattentiveness.

DEAR ABBY: I have a group of friends I've known for 40 years. As time has passed, we have grown apart politically. This wasn't a problem until recently. Whenever we get together now, they shout at me about my political choices. At first, I tried to defend my position, but I was shouted down. Then I explained that I didn't want to talk politics, that I respect their right to have a different opinion and to please respect mine. That works only temporarily. The next time we meet, it's the same. It's like they think if they all talk at once, they can convince me. They can't, and I have no desire to convince them.

It has reached the point that I'm no longer comfortable in their company, and, evidently, they're not in mine, since they are now meeting without me. I can make new friends, but 40 years is a long time, and I miss them. Is there nothing more I can do short of pretending I agree with them, which I won't do? -- ISSUES APART IN NEW YORK

DEAR ISSUES APART: Just as there is nothing more that your old friends can do to convince you, the reverse is also true. You have now reached a stalemate. Politics aside, these friends are shouting at you and disrespecting your wishes. For your own sake, it may be time to step back and cultivate friends who are more tolerant than these folks appear to be.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 64-year-old guy. I am single and have two daughters and four grandkids. A young woman ("Sarah"), who is my daughter's age, and I have been hiking buddies for the past five years. I treat her like my third daughter and a family member. Sarah is married, and her husband does not enjoy hiking. Her husband and my daughters accept our friendship and are happy that I found a person I can hike with.

I have been dating a lady ("Toni") who is close to my age. Six months ago, I suggested we should spend our lives together. My daughters and Sarah were happy for me. Toni rejected my proposal, citing that I must have some kind of romantic relationship with Sarah.

When I mentioned it to Sarah, she distanced from me. I think she thinks she may have interfered with my relationship with Toni. We're still friends but not like before. Should I talk to Sarah and ask why she distanced from me? I feel depressed about this and have some remorse. I should not have told her what Toni said. -- HIKER IN COLORADO

DEAR HIKER: I don't think you did anything wrong by telling Sarah what Toni implied. You have a right to ask any question you wish of your hiking buddy. You won't know why your warm five-year relationship with her cooled unless you ask.

What I would like to know is whether you are still dating Toni after she rejected your proposal. If the answer is yes, do you plan to continue, knowing you have no future with her unless you find a male hiking buddy?

DEAR ABBY: I have had a friend who has been in my life and part of my group of friends' lives since high school. Years and years later, she has become increasingly negative toward all of us for no reason. Her husband is dying now, and we don't know how to handle it.

She has ghosted all of us because she's so full of hatred and negativity. We had decades of fun and memories, but she wants nothing to do with us. How do we handle the death of her husband? She says we are all phonies, which is all in her head. -- PERPLEXED IN OHIO

DEAR PERPLEXED: How long has this woman been becoming "negative"? There may be a reason why she has changed. Her husband is sick and he's not going to get better. If she loves him and feels any responsibility to him at all, she's directing all of her energies in that direction.

The way to handle this would be for you longtime friends to step forward. Tell her you care. Volunteer to help in any way she will allow, and do not isolate her any more than she has isolated herself. If you haven't done that, I can see why she might have said she thought you were phonies.

DEAR ABBY: I've been living with someone for four years. When we started living together, his son "Byron" was incarcerated. Byron is 33 and has been in trouble since he was 15. His dad keeps bailing him out. I used two of my credit cards to help raise the $11,000 bail to get him out of jail. In exchange, Byron agreed to put on a new roof for us and help around the house.

Byron has completed none of the tasks that were asked of him, and his dad keeps helping him anyway. We had to pay Byron's rent at the rehab so he wouldn't be kicked out. This has created a rift between me and my boyfriend, who thinks I'm being selfish and greedy.

Am I wrong for no longer wanting to help financially? We got along great until this happened. -- DOING TIME, TOO, IN ALABAMA

DEAR DOING TIME: Byron is the person he is because his father has enabled him since he was a child. You are neither selfish nor greedy for refusing to give more money. Forgive me if this seems harsh, but unless you want to continue to be emotionally blackmailed by your boyfriend, get out now before you are drained financially.

DEAR ABBY: I have no problem driving at night, but I prefer to stay home rather than go out. Truth be told, I don't like to be out after 4 or 5 p.m. Yes, I miss a lot of social activities, but I don't mind.

The problem is friends and acquaintances who, when they find out I'm not going out at night, instantly offer to pick me up because they are kind and gracious. No matter how many times I explain that it's not the driving, it's that I prefer not to be out at night, it falls on deaf ears.

I know I'm lucky to have sweet friends who volunteer to drive me, but I'm tired of explaining myself. Because I don't want to insult anyone, can you suggest a polite way to turn these folks down? Nothing I've said so far has worked, including saying, "It's not the driving. I don't go out at night." -- HOMEBODY IN FLORIDA

DEAR HOMEBODY: Perhaps you should state your message a little more emphatically by saying, "I don't think you understand. It's not the driving, it's that I am uncomfortable going out after dark. Please don't ask me again because my answer isn't going to change."

DEAR ABBY: My wife's family has a history of breast cancer. She has had several MRIs and biopsies, which have caused a great deal of discomfort and stress. She is now going in for a lumpectomy. I'm beginning to think it may be better to have her breasts removed. I didn't marry her boobs; I married the woman behind them. What do you think? -- PROACTIVE IN CONNECTICUT

DEAR PROACTIVE: I'm sure you love her, but I think you should support your wife emotionally and let this decision be something that's decided between her and her doctors.