Q: I am a ski instructor and tennis pro. Last winter I gave a married couple ski lessons every weekend; they quickly became my best clients. The woman later began private tennis lessons with me and has subsequently filled my tennis programs with her friends and friends' kids. The husband is very cool and looks much like me; people say we look like brothers and we've joked that I'm his doppelgänger. Now here's where it gets sticky. The husband has cancer and is impotent; they really want a family. They were reviewing overseas adoption and a friend of hers said, "How about that tennis pro as your sperm donor?" They approached me as a couple. It was a little weird and I asked for a little time to consider this. They made me a cash offer I don't think I can refuse, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and have my house of cards come tumbling down. Any thoughts here?

Steve:

OK, you're going to impregnate your best client, take money to walk away from the child while continuing to have a business relationship with her and her husband. What could possibly go wrong? Are you nuts? Think about what it would be like to watch your child grow up in another family. And if the husband dies, what if the wife goes after you for support? Tell them you appreciate the offer, but you'd prefer to keep everything on a professional basis.

Mia: Get an attorney, because you need legal advice. You would need an ironclad contract to ensure you don't wind up owing child support or having to pay for a college education for your offspring. Legal issues aside, can you handle being a baby daddy with no rights at all? Are you prepared to completely relinquish your parental rights? What if the child were abused by the parents? Or wanted to find his biological parent? You have a lot to consider besides the benjamins.

Q: I've been dating a really nice guy, but his odor turns me off. It's not like he doesn't shower. It's just his overall scent. Am I being too picky? He doesn't smell right even after showering? If that's the case, you need to dump him. If you don't like how he smells while you're dating, chances are you won't appreciate his eau de essence any better if you wind up married to him.

Mia:

Steve: There's something about this relationship that doesn't pass the smell test. Before you split for fresher climes, however, suggest that he consult a doctor. There are often medical, treatable causes for bad odor.