"Henry, she wants to move in with three men!" Mom exclaimed, clearly upset, and stormed off to the kitchen in anger. "She came up with this plan without even discussing it with us."

"Colleen," Dad interjected calmly, which managed to stop her outburst. She was visibly distressed and surprised, but I had anticipated her reaction. "Please, Julianna, tell me the whole story."

I began to explain, "One of my friends is relocating to New Jersey. He currently shares an apartment with ...