Hi Amie W,
I agree with Byz. It doesn't help anyone to keep up communication out of guilt. There is a reason this isn't working for you, it's ok to honor that. I think if you are gentle but direct you then have every right to go the avoidence route afterwards. You aren't being deceiving, you are being honest. I am kind of going through the same thing right now with an old friend, actually. We were very close, but she has said and done some things to hurt me and I can't seem to let go. So for my own mhealth I am trying to limit my contact. It's not easy. But it is important to draw boundaries when we need to. Or I'm trying to learn that too anyway.