I have had a good friendship with Nancy for years! Our parents were close friends, we grew up together and always had fun. As young adults we also hung out and attended family functions such as weddings and baby showers. After some time, we once again, came into contact. (let me just say that no matter if it was one month or one year of not speaking we always kinda fit right back into where we left off)
This last time we got together it seems we were not on track as we previously had been. After inviting her and her child to spend a weekend with us I felt used!! Basically we were going to the beach on Saturday and Sunday. We hadn’t discussed eating in or out ... but I invited so I figured we can decide later if I’ll order pizza or just fix up a salad for EVERYONE. Well, to my surprise, Nancy stopped in to drop off her things (She was staying for the weekend) And after leaving a duffle bag in the guest room, she says, “wait, I have some trays of food I brought” I felt awkward because I didn’t know why she would bring food.
I uttered to her, “Nance, you didn’t have to bring stuff, you are my guest!” She said, “well, I hope you don’t mind, I like bringing my own stuff.” That was the beginning of the end. It just so happens before leaving the beach I wanted to stop and get ice cream for everyone. Realizing that I did not have enough money to treat everyone I just figured “next time” and said nothing out loud. Later that afternoon, I was surprised when she went out for a drive and returned with some fast-food for just herself and her child. I started feeling weird. I wasn’t expecting her to treat us but I couldn’t help but wonder, why didn’t she ask, “we’re going to get a bite, do you want anything?” I thought, perhaps, she got something to eat on a whim. No big deal.
That afternoon for dinner, I suggested that I would make hotdogs and have a small barbeque. She agreed that it was a good idea. As I was setting up the paper plates, she emerges with her trays of food and I said, “oh, maybe we can put those next to the tray with the hotdogs, she simply stated, “oh this is OUR dinner” meaning hers and her child’s. That’s when I understood why I was feeling weird. Yet, I said, “well I made hotdogs for everyone” as evenly as I could ... She says, “no thanks, maybe later we’ll have some.”
