I went out with the girls last night and happened to run into my friend Brad and his wife. I didn’t expect to see them and it was a bit uncomfortable.

I said hello to her but could not fathom being phony so I opted against the fake hug and kiss hello. I was a very good friend to her and my only fault was splitting up with my husband, which had nothing to do with her. You truly learn who your friends are when you need them and I learned that she is not a friend of mine.

I barely even acknowledged Brad’s existence. He was my person. He could sell me a river, he would listen to me when I was going through a rough time and could somehow get me to forgive him every time he disappeared from my life and returned promising that he would always be one of my best friends. His wife and I were friends for many years, but aside from a two-line e-mail telling me that she was there for me if I needed to talk when Brad told her about my divorce, I haven’t heard from her in about seven months.

I’m sure a lot of the distance between Brad and me stems from his wife. Can I blame her for not wanting her husband and me to be so close anymore? Does she know that we were hanging out quite a bit until a few weeks ago? He and I always spent time together, especially since my ex and Brad’s wife are not very into going out. But now that I am single, it’s a different story.

For some reason I always defend him, though. I write him off and then I’ll hear from him, apologizing for not being around. I somehow believe him when he says he’s sorry. There comes a point when saying you’re sorry just isn’t good enough. But am I ready to cut him out of my life? After all, he was one of my best friends.