I once knew someone who was diagnosed manic-depressive, (or bi-polar disorder) and it was Bad News. Try to be reasonable with an irrational person -- it's futile, which you have already seen by having your directive for email contact ignored. I guess your options are this: you could continue to dodge her calls and email and if she wants to get together tell her you're busy, without explanation. Or, you could go ahead and get a little snarky with her. I'm not sure she'll get it but if you ignore her long enough, I would hope she'd eventually leave you alone. I'll keep my fingers crossed! I don't know what Miss Manners would say but as far as I'm concerned this falls under the category "Things Life is Too Short For". Your "friend" hasn't returned your kindness and consideration, after all, so don't feel guilty about cutting her off.

I wouldn't worry that she's been to your home; she is four hours away. Believe me, she has enough problems to keep her not-so-beautiful mind occupied. If anything, you have at least learned to give pause before inviting home any more two-legged strays. (And I've learned how to spell "tuchas".)

Oy vey, you kids with the hooking up. You're not the only one who's confused.

OK, so you're still in contact with him (good) but you seem to be avoiding talking about the hook-up (not so good). Forget about the gossip and the things you hear from whomever. You guys need to have a conversation with like, each other. He is the only one who can tell you what he wants. And about being scared of rejection, well, yeah, rejection blows but you're going to have to face it sooner or later. My feeling is this guy does like you, otherwise he would have taken a powder. And I'm not so sure he knows what's going on in your head, either. This is why it's better to talk first, then fool around. Good luck!

� tout jamais,