Hi TJ,

I apologise for the delay in my becoming aware of your response. I have maintained my distance (emotional — harder to do compared to physical and professional distance) from the person involved. A bit surprisingly, she’s “let up” and noticeably easier around me. Of course, lots of minuscule things transpired — she saw me beginning to develop amicable relationships with people at the workplace; seeing that I know people at a community centre we both attend (it sounds awful to me that someone would only let up their mean ways due to social pressure that I cringe as I acknowledged that as a reason for the improvement), seeing that I give s*^& back to her as she does to me…

I also noted a temptation to observe her interaction with others in my situation, but decided that not only is it not natural for me, I do not want to know. I have a tendency to do that — distance myself from people, from events…I am yet to explore how that is working out for me. I don’t think it’s … good.

Thank you for pointing out ongoing issues surrounding substance abuse. It is interpreted with gratitude for the honesty and sensitivity on your part to note that it is an issue.

Thanks,

gia