I grew up with two best friends, Mike and Josh. In late 2004 Josh and I each went separate ways out into the world while Mike was left back in Smalltown, Minnesota.
In late 2005 Mike was caught stealing and pawning off a bunch of stuff from other friends of ours. Stuff like tools, guitars, snowboards, wedding rings(!) etc... A few months ago Josh ended up back in Smalltown, MN and at first he didn't really think anything of it. Then he started putting clues together and realized Mike had also stolen a lot of crap from both of us. Now Josh completely despises Mike.
I, personally, haven't been back to talk with Mike but I've talked to him on the phone and he refuses to admit that he stole anything from us despite evidence that he did. But he also claims to be very remorseful for what he has done, maybe even suicidal.
Now, I am very certain that he is lieing to me; probably because he doesn't want me to hate him. I, obviously, don't feel like I can trust him as much as before but I also don't think he deserves to be hated. I still consider us friends. My question is: Is it that I'm too loyal? Am I just hanging on to my last few childhood memories? Should I just forget him and move on? Is it naive of me to think he won't follow in his fathers footsteps of being a jail bird?
I'm willing to forgive him and try to help him through. But who am I to judge the soul of a man?
Anyway, I'm not really sure what the point of this post is. What are your thoughts?
In late 2005 Mike was caught stealing and pawning off a bunch of stuff from other friends of ours. Stuff like tools, guitars, snowboards, wedding rings(!) etc... A few months ago Josh ended up back in Smalltown, MN and at first he didn't really think anything of it. Then he started putting clues together and realized Mike had also stolen a lot of crap from both of us. Now Josh completely despises Mike.
I, personally, haven't been back to talk with Mike but I've talked to him on the phone and he refuses to admit that he stole anything from us despite evidence that he did. But he also claims to be very remorseful for what he has done, maybe even suicidal.
Now, I am very certain that he is lieing to me; probably because he doesn't want me to hate him. I, obviously, don't feel like I can trust him as much as before but I also don't think he deserves to be hated. I still consider us friends. My question is: Is it that I'm too loyal? Am I just hanging on to my last few childhood memories? Should I just forget him and move on? Is it naive of me to think he won't follow in his fathers footsteps of being a jail bird?
I'm willing to forgive him and try to help him through. But who am I to judge the soul of a man?
Anyway, I'm not really sure what the point of this post is. What are your thoughts?