Greetings, Abby Blair and I have been friends for twenty years.
Since her mother and stepfather passed away, I have prepared meals for her and her family throughout this time, as well as accompanied her to doctor’s visits. Blair said she would love to go on the trip with my daughter, but she didn’t have the funds, so I covered her expenses. (She never made an effort to reimburse me.)
Another time, while my son was home with pneumonia, I requested Blair not to bring her adult children to use my pool, but she insisted on coming.
After my mom’s out-of-state funeral a few months ago, I gave Blair a call. She didn’t call for two months even though she said she would call me back.
She said she felt horrible when I told her I was disappointed in her. However, she has done this so frequently that I feel taken advantage of. She keeps phoning even though I don’t want to be friends with her anymore, and I’m at a loss for what to do. I can’t seem to break off a one-sided friendship; any suggestions? — ILLINOIS ALREADY HAS ENOUGH
Stories by
Abigail Van Buren
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Dear Abby: My son flipped out when I mentioned my new lady friend s name at a public event
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Dear Abby: My family called me mentally disturbed because I m in love with an incarcerated man
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Dear Abby: After 13 years of marriage, I m afraid my bi-sexual husband is falling in love with a man
ENOUGH, DEAR: Use Blair’s strategy as a model. Take your time answering her calls or texts. Be too busy when she wants to get together. Tell her the truth, exactly as you told me, if she inquires as to why your behavior has changed.
Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
