DEAR ABBY: In the past few years several of my friends moved out of state. Before they left, they gave me items they couldn't take along. They said I could keep the stuff or have a yard sale.
Now these friends have returned and are asking for their things back. I feel like I was used as a temporary storage facility. This has happened to me three different times.
I have been using the items as mine, feeling they belonged to me. I think I'm being used. How should I respond to these people? -- RESENTFUL IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA
DEAR RESENTFUL: Because these people gave you the items to do with as you wished -- to keep or to sell -- they belong to you. How you respond to their request depends upon how much you value their friendship, because your refusal to return them could become a bone of contention.
In the future when someone asks to leave furniture with you, make sure to have the terms put clearly in writing. Because this has happened to you three different times, there appears to have been a serious breakdown in communication somewhere along the line.