This behavior is actually quite common — among seventh-grade girls. So, next time Mommy whispers, “I’ve got a secret,” tell her you’re not 13 anymore — and stink at keeping them. That way, she can decide whether to keep the goods to herself or to enlist your nonsecret aid in eradicating whatever vermin your brother picks up next.  I am in touch with my ex of 11 years — though without much enthusiasm on my part. Now he has asked me to paint a small erotic oil of his current boyfriend. I am a professional artist, and while I don’t mind painting the picture, I feel he should pay me something. If the painting is worth $1,000, I want him to fork over $250. Is that fair — or should I charge him more?  If all’s fair in love and war, Colin, shouldn’t things get even fairer in their aftermath? A 75 percent discount seems too large — especially after factoring in a creepiness surcharge for being asked to paint an erotic picture of your former beau’s new squeeze.  If you really don’t mind painting the picture, tell your ex you’ll be glad to extend to him your friends-and-family discount of 20 percent — which seems plenty generous under the circumstances.  Then let the mischief begin: with an extra roll here, and a double chin there. Or paint him dashing and sexy — with more than a passing resemblance to you!  I was standing on a crowded airport shuttle, and a hunched-over, elderly couple got on. No one stood up for them. I thought the seated people, who were younger, hadn’t seen them. I wanted to say something, but didn’t. Should I have pointed out the older couple to the seated people?  Some folks worry about butting in where they don’t belong. Not yours truly — especially if you can pull it off without seeming like a finger-wagging scold.  Try: “Hey there, Jonas Brothers, bet you didn’t see Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy standing by the door? They sure look as if they could use a seat.”  Just be careful if the whippersnappers refuse. It may be annoying, but those shuttles are first come first served, after all. And the young folk may have reasons for keeping their cushy seats.  So, restrict yourself to one annoyed smirk, then move on to the prospect of measly snacks or lost luggage — depending on whether you’re taking off or landing.  For my wedding, a dear friend lent me costume jewelry that she had worn at her own wedding. Somehow, I misplaced it. My friend was incredibly cool about it, but I feel terrible. How can I make it up to her, other than buying her infant daughter some baubles when she gets married?  Until I lose you, or you break.  But if you’re borrowed, and I misplace you,  Don’t let me wait decades to replace you.  Head down to the local jewelry store, and pick up a cultured pearl or two for your friend’s baby. If you and she add to the collection from time to time, her daughter will have a wonderful necklace to wear at her wedding. And it won’t be paste, either!  For help with an awkward social situation, send queries to socialq@nytimes.com or Social Q’s, The New York Times Style Department, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018. Please include a daytime telephone number.  A version of this article appears in print on , on Page ST7 of the New York edition with the headline: A Secret, Itching to Be Told. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
This week, answers to reader questions about keeping secrets about bedbugs, charging a friend for a commissioned painting, giving up your seat for the elderly and losing and replacing a friend's costume jewelry.