My Best Friend, My Worst Enemy - How to Deal With It?

My former best friend is without a doubt, my worst enemy. I don't understand how anyone could enjoy causing pain to another. My so called best friend has added insult to injury everyday. A day does not go by without a small stab of pain in my heart.

Jenny and I were like two peas in a pod. I loved her as if she was my sister. I knew that I was ridiculously involved in Jenny's life. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to help her. Jenny obviously didn't mind my free babysitting services. She gratefully accepted my financial assistance. We both knew that if I could not give her money, her daughter would be the one to suffer. Jenny was living with a guy who had dropped out of high school, and he didn't have a job, or intentions to get one. I asked her one day if I could help her find a job for this man. She said "No Dannie doesn't want a job, If I even bring it up again, I don't know what he will do." I was suspicious that he was abusing her, but I wasn't going to pry. I said "What about you Jenny? I know you don't have a car, but I can help you get a job, and get to and from." Reluctantly Jenny agreed. I made a few calls, and an old friend gladly told me "Nicole, I need a cashier at the gas station. Its only 3 days a week, but I pay pretty decently." I drove Jenny to the station, introduced her to my friend, and she was hired. I volunteered to help her with her daughter, I didn't mind babysitting during the day. I wanted my best friend to have a better life, and I wanted her to gain independence of the worthless man, and also from me.

Life went on, our friendship was even stronger. Jenny started telling me more about her home life, and how horrible it had grown to be. Jenny admitted that the boyfriend was abusive. She cried and told me "I wish I could leave, but I am afraid." I offered Jenny a spare room in my home, I continued babysitting and I continued to offer my financial support, I told her, "If you really want to leave, I will help you. I can pay your rent for a few months, you can get a fresh start." We went as far as looking at apartments. Jenny would not leave him. She just came to my house daily to 'escape'. My boyfriend the boy scout, felt badly for her also, and he was very tolerant of sharing me with her all of the time. He is so not selfish, he admired me for making a difference. After a few months of this, I noticed a change in Jenny. She only came over when my boyfriend was home, she was always making comments to him, such as "You will be a good dad." or "I wish you were her father." When he would interact with her small daughter. I always smiled and said "You will be a good dad," or "Our children will be so lucky." I trust my boyfriend, and obviously I trusted Jenny. I didn't think much of it for a while. One day Jenny asked me if I had ever cheated on my boyfriend. I told her "Of course I haven't cheated on him!" She said "Oh, I was hoping you had messed around a little." I was puzzled. "Jenny, you know me better than that!" Jenny said "Well, you are just too perfect Nicole." Jenny started to treat me like I was a monster or something. I felt really bad. I thought maybe I was a show off or something, I was reserved around Jenny, but still a good friend.

One day, I went shopping with another friend, Heather. We saw Jenny and asked her if she wanted to go to lunch, she said "No I am busy today." I said "Ok, bye Jenny call me later," and we went about our day. When I got back to my house, I noticed instantly something was wrong. When I walked into my living room, I was horrified to find someone had vandalized my living room! The pictures on the walls were smashed all over my floor, and two photos of my boyfriend and I stood out. Someone had colored over my face in permanent marker! In my bedroom, I found my jewelry box dumped out on my bed. My boyfriend's class ring was missing along with a lovely gold necklace I had received for my birthday. I called my boyfriend, and the police. My boyfriend came right home. We were really kind of shook up over this. I called Jenny, but she didn't answer my calls. I didn't see her for two days, she didn't call me back.

When I did see Jenny, she acted really strange, as if she didn't want to talk to me again. I thought she must be having a rough day.

A week later I stopped by her work. To my surprise, she was wearing my boyfriend's class ring on the gold chain that had been stolen from my house. I said "Jenny, what is this?" She laughed and said "This is mine, mind your own business." Okay, I was a little crazy when I ripped the necklace off of her neck. She laughed again and said "That's okay, he will buy me another one." I said "You stole this from my house Jenny!" She said "It's not really stealing, its all going to be mine soon enough." I didn't know what was wrong with Jenny, but I was hurt. I said "Why did you do that to me? You really hurt my feelings, and made a mess you know!" She laughed again and said "Good! I hope you know how it feels to me imperfect now."

Things got worse. The breaking point was when she told everyone we knew she was pregnant by my boyfriend. The cloud of suspicion was enough. It didn't matter if it was true or not. For three years, we have not been speaking. Jenny continues to tell everyone she's going to have us in court for child support. Us... I am responsible somehow? She calls my house, and leaves threatening messages, and getting hate mail from her is not uncommon. My repayment is for her to get away with this behavior. All I ever wanted was for my best friend to have a better life.

When your best friend becomes your worst enemy, all you can do is go on with your life, and don't sink to the level of getting revenge.