Goodbye, My Friend

Breaking up is hard to do when it involves severin buddy you used to be tight with.

- Jonathan Rowe

Trimming your social circle online requires only a mouse click. But cutting off a real-life friend can be truly complex maneuver. What follows is a personal tale of a b romance gone awry, as well as tips from a pro on dealing with a dysfunctional friendship you might one day have.

Pals since way back 

For 15 rocky years growing up in Pennsylvania,we’dbeenfriends.W were both jerks in high school, as teens clamoring for popularity can be. And during college, secure in o selves,we had some legendary times But then he got married—early and carelessly—and took a job he hated And our downfall began.

At 25 he was insulting my other friends to their faces and forcibly talking over everyone around him, includingme.But we were old school pals, so I was tolerant. By 30, I’d become a punching bag he used to take out all the anger he accrued at work and home. Though I calmly expressed my displeasure on multiple occasions, nothing seemed to get through to him.

I valued our friendship, but it had become emotionally abusive.

One fateful September weekend, decided to drop the hammer.

Game on…friendship off?