DEAR ABBY: My companion and lover, "Jimmy," stole $40 from some close friends of mine. He was caught, confronted, and paid the money back. I told Jimmy if anything like that ever happened again, he was out the door.
I am willing to forget the incident and move on; however, my two friends feel differently. It has created a wedge between us. They continue to talk to me on the phone at work, but Jimmy's name is never mentioned. Yesterday, when I casually mentioned the four of us getting together, I was informed that it would never happen. I did nothing wrong, but I am feeling ostracized. Any suggestions? -- IN THE MIDDLE IN COLUMBIA, S.C.
DEAR IN THE MIDDLE: You are not being ostracized, Jimmy is –- and for good reason. He has sticky fingers. Allow me to offer two suggestions: If he'd steal from your friends, he would also steal from you, so keep your valuables under lock and key. And socialize with your friends without him.