4. The Final Straw
I had a friend who I was beginning to realize was a bit toxic. She’d call me up and never really have anything to say so I’d do the talking which I found hard going. When we were in company she’d publicly ridicule me for the littlest of things. I stayed friends with her I think because we’d been friends for so long rather than because I liked her or that she even liked me. It was a friendship of convenience.
One day my friend asked me to be her plus-one to a homewares show. I gave up my day to go to this thing on the other side of town, even though I didn’t really want to go, so my friend wouldn’t be alone. We watched the show. It was kinda boring and not my style but it was a diversion.
Every audience member had been given a door ticket. The prize was a $1000 voucher at a department store. As we took our seats, my friend turns to me and says, “You’d better give me your ticket if they call your number.”
I thought she was joking and so I sniggered a little. At the end of the show they drew the ticket and called my number!
After collecting my prize, I went back to my friend. She said, “I’d split it with you 50/50 but I can’t afford that, so how about I give you $250?” I couldn’t believe it. She was serious.
I never spoke to this friend again. Toxic friendship over. I have never missed her.