Dear Abby: Bullying Boss's Friendship Comes With Emotional Toll

Fifteen years ago, Abigail Van Buren and her partner moved to a new community and befriended a neighbor who initially seemed kind and generous but later displayed mean-spirited and manipulative behavior. This neighbor, who also became Abigail's boss, subjected her and her colleagues to a decade of emotional abuse, which led to significant distress and a colleague's suicide attempt. Eventually, Abigail accepted a position with another company, retired, and moved to another state.

Despite the move, the former boss continues to contact Abigail, expressing a desire to visit and rekindle their friendship. Abigail has consistently declined these requests, citing the negative impact the boss had on her health and the well-being of her colleagues. This ongoing situation has also contributed to a strain in Abigail's marriage, partly due to unresolved political differences. Marriage counseling has been suggested as a potential way to address these issues and improve communication between the spouses.