Frenemies

Dear Friend or Foe, A few years ago, I became friends with a girl—“Faye”—who moved to my city from a farming village to attend college and get some modeling assignments on the side. After her parents lost their income and couldn't provide for her as they did before, she was very distraught. Even so, she continued to live way beyond her means. Whenever her parents sent her a bit of cash they’d succeeded in putting aside, she'd blow it on cheap outfits or cocktails she couldn’t even name. Consequently, she'd be late on her rent and her power would get cut off. Sometimes, she couldn't afford to buy food! Read More »

Dear Friend or Foe, I just turned 37, and I’m getting married in two months. Most of my closest friends have been married for a while now and have at least two children. I'm pretty sure everyone is thrilled for us, since they’ve been waiting for this day FOREVER. Everyone except for my “best friend” Carin. She’s being kind of awful about the whole wedding part. I’m not one of those bridal people who has been looking forward to this day since I was 5. It’s my husband-to-be who really wanted a big wedding. So that’s what we’re doing: three days, destination wedding, the whole shebang. And Carin is, of course, one of my bridesmaids. But as the day gets closer, I’m feeling less and less like she belongs in the bridal party. Recently, she asked, “When is the latest possible time I can arrive at your wedding? Also, just so you know, I’ll be leaving at the crack of dawn the next day.” Read More »