She wants to see old stamping grounds, but not old flame

DEAR AMY: "Steve" and I dated for a year in high school - 33 years ago. It was an intense romantic relationship, but I eventually ended it because Steve's reckless behavior scared me. I moved away after high school and have not been back since. Recently, Steve and other high school friends contacted me on Facebook. They hang out together in my hometown. It's been nice catching up with them. I'd like to go back for a visit, but I have a dilemma: I'm happily married. Steve is married, too, but apparently not so happily. I have no desire to meet as anything but old friends, but it's clear from the tone of his communications that he'd like more than that. I haven't responded as anything other than a friend, and I've asked him several times to cut it out. I've thought of meeting with my other friends and excluding him, but I know they'd tell him and he'd be hurt. I've also considered making it clear that I won't meet with him except as part of a group (including his wife and daughter), but knowing him, he'd pop up unexpectedly and alone at some point. I don't want to ask my husband to go, just to "protect" me. Any suggestions other than just not going?So Over Him

DEAR OVER: You may be overthinking this. You have attempted to direct "Steve's" Facebook contact, and he either hasn't read your cues correctly or doesn't care. Ignore him. Don't respond.

Go to your hometown. Bring your family with you - not for protection but because it might be rewarding to bring these two parts of your life together.

Your job is to be yourself, regardless of the inappropriate or sly come-on of a bully.

If Steve is still the reckless and impulsive guy who creeped you out in high school, tolerate him in a group and avoid any alone time with him. If he pops up unexpectedly, behave cordially, coolly and like a grown-up whose life has expanded far beyond the halls of high school.