Just...
Dear former friend:

When we lived together, it was a mutual relationship. We were both responsible for things that happened to/in the house. We were both on the lease.

Then you told me to leave. So, I did. It took me about three months, but I got my things together and I left. I didn't ask to use your vehicle, I didn't argue about what I got to take/not take, and I removed myself and my children from the house.

Then, when you lost the apartment I moved out of, I offered you a place to stay, until you could get back on your feet. Because I moved into public housing, that was putting myself and my children at risk. Because you have a sizable income, they could have found out and charged me with fraud, hence my losing the home that I was trying to establish for my kids.

However, I took the risk, because I was trying to help out a friend. I moved my son into my room, gave you his room, didn't ask for any money, didn't question anything you did, and merely said "you have until X date to get things together." Yes, before, we'd been living together two years, but this was a different situation and you had said it was "temporary".

I gave you three months to straighten out the temporary situation and handle things financially. As you didn't have rent to pay or any bills, save for your phone and putting gas in your vehicle, I assumed that you would be able to have things straightened out.

Then a family emergency required you to leave the state for a month. I agreed to store your things, and even pack them for you, while you were gone because you weren't in the state. The plan you told me you had for handling this unique situation was reasonable and I didn't think that it would be such an issue for me to pack your things.

However. Because I didn't pack certain things that wouldn't fit, because I packed at all, because I didn't know what was important and what wasn't, you're claiming I stole everything.

When you came up here to retrieve your mail, I had it, and the things that wouldn't fit in the van, all gathered together in a very nice spot that was right near the front door. You didn't even mention them.

Instead, you walked in and asked to live RP. I wasn't really in the mood, but because you are going through a very trying time and didn't want to be yourself, I agreed. When you left, almost eight hours later, you didn't ask for your things, you didn't mention them, and you made no indication that I should help you with them at all.

Then, you found another place to stay and immediately went onto your LJ and claimed that I packed nothing but garbage and broke your things. That I took things from you, and that everything in my house were things you gave me.

Except, the things in my house were things that you were going to throw away anyway. They were things you didn't want and I took them because we had nothing.

I asked you, on your LJ, "What?" And asked why didn't you ask for your things if you wanted them. I've told you time and time again that I will store them until you pick them up. If you had wanted to pick them up, I would have helped you put them in the van.

Then, of course, your LJ friends started jumping on me. I've been called evil, told that I treated you horribly, and lied about everything that ever happened in my life. I've also been called a user, ungrateful and several other things...

I don't want to be seen as a martyr, or as a saint or anything. I don't even want a 'thank you' or to keep you as a friend.

I just want not to be demonized because I tried to help while toeing a very delicate line that could have had severe consequences for my children and I.

Is that too much to ask?

No love,
Me