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Today, I did the deed.
I ended my friendship with Paul.
It didn't even take ten minutes.
I went out to his place, and gave him the money from the stuff The Store had bought from him, then told him that I wouldn't be back.
I tried to do it in a way that wasn't cruel or unkind, and Paul didn't seem surprised by my actions. Or my words.
I wished him well, and then I left.
I don't know what he's going to do now, but I hope it's something positive and proactive.
I really hope this doesn't cause him to spiral into a depressive episode, but if it does there's nothing I can do.
The other people in his circle will have to step up and help him.
I hope someone does. I really do.
I've unfriended him on FB and have blocked his number. I did stop by the library, where he has friends, and told them about the situation and asked them if they could, if appropriate, nudge him toward the library's social worker. I don't expect anything to come from that.
Then I drove away.
I feel bad that I don't feel bad, but I think I should have done this a while ago. Our friendship had just morphed into this obligation that the universe dropped around my neck, like an albatross. It had become a job that I no longer wanted to do.
So I quit and walked away.
Our mutual friend, Gina, said she totally understood. Which is nice. And everyone seemed to understand why I did it. Some people tried to make jokes, to lighten the mood, but I don't think this is particularly funny.
It's just sad.
And I'm tired of thinking about it, so I'm writing this down as a kind of eulogy for our old friendship. God willing, something good will come out of this.
:(
I ended my friendship with Paul.
It didn't even take ten minutes.
I went out to his place, and gave him the money from the stuff The Store had bought from him, then told him that I wouldn't be back.
I tried to do it in a way that wasn't cruel or unkind, and Paul didn't seem surprised by my actions. Or my words.
I wished him well, and then I left.
I don't know what he's going to do now, but I hope it's something positive and proactive.
I really hope this doesn't cause him to spiral into a depressive episode, but if it does there's nothing I can do.
The other people in his circle will have to step up and help him.
I hope someone does. I really do.
I've unfriended him on FB and have blocked his number. I did stop by the library, where he has friends, and told them about the situation and asked them if they could, if appropriate, nudge him toward the library's social worker. I don't expect anything to come from that.
Then I drove away.
I feel bad that I don't feel bad, but I think I should have done this a while ago. Our friendship had just morphed into this obligation that the universe dropped around my neck, like an albatross. It had become a job that I no longer wanted to do.
So I quit and walked away.
Our mutual friend, Gina, said she totally understood. Which is nice. And everyone seemed to understand why I did it. Some people tried to make jokes, to lighten the mood, but I don't think this is particularly funny.
It's just sad.
And I'm tired of thinking about it, so I'm writing this down as a kind of eulogy for our old friendship. God willing, something good will come out of this.
:(
