DEAR ABBY: Some close friends, "Mary" and "Bob," are in the midst of a bitter divorce. I like both of them and would like to remain friends with them -- but how can I comfort and support one of them without seeming like a traitor to the other one, and vice versa?
Mary has already chewed me out for even talking to Bob. What should I do? -- IN THE MIDDLE
DEAR IN THE MIDDLE: As I see it, you have two choices -- speak to neither one until the divorce is final, or tell Mary that you are not community property and you have chosen to remain neutral because you care about them both. However, there is one caveat to the latter: If you refuse to side with Mary, she may interpret your "neutrality" as betrayal and dump YOU.