Friends can be such a worry.

I have friends who are not talking to other friends. Usually because the two friends are too similar. I have another friend who is drinking too much, probably because of stress. Everyone is worried but they all respect him too much to talk to him about it in much detail. I have a couple of friends who will occasional surface and come round and visit or phone and will keep in contact for a few days or weeks and then disappear again. Sometimes for months.

Perhaps I'm not a very good friend. It's not something that comes naturally to me. I've had to learn it out of books and by observation. Keeping friends is an act of will for me. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.