Dear Dr. Happy,
My name is Suzie; I’m 22 and single. Last year after too much drinking, I got pregnant from an ill-advised one-night-stand. I do want to start a family one day, but not without a husband, not this way. After much internal debate, I had an abortion. I told no one about it except for my best friend, Betty. Despite knowing that I’m a very private person, she went out and told everyone we both know! She apologized but acted like what she had done was no big deal. I am furious and ready to end our long friendship. Dr. H, I hate to lose my best friend but I feel what she did was a serious betrayal.
Am I right?
Dear "Am I,"
What Betty did was a clear violation of friendship and trust. As your best friend, she had to know telling everyone about your abortion was not something you would want. Despite this violation, this is your best friend and as such, it is worth trying to save the relationship. Get together with her, perhaps over dinner, and tell her how important it is for you to be able to trust her. Yes, I know, how could your best friend not know what a major betrayal she committed? Still, give her a chance to explain her action and even more importantly, she needs to let you know she won’t betray you like that again. So, yes, I believe you should give her another chance.