I just wanted to give an update. I contacted my friend a little over a week ago. I only told her that I was no longer living with my husband, thanked her for all her help, and apologized for what I put her through.

She wrote back and said she couldn't even tell me how many times she's thought of me this past year and that she had been so scared my husband was going to kill me or the kids. She said it had become maddening to her that she couldn't find the trigger to make me leave before I got hurt, and that she finally stopped communicating because she felt like she'd become my crutch. She said she felt like she just had to leave and let me figure it out on my own.

She said she is happy to pick our friendship up now that I am getting help and hopes that I am reaching out to other friends as well. She did ask me if I'm in the process of a divorce. I was pretty nervous about telling her I had not filed for divorce yet, but I didn't want to lie, so I told her the truth. She said she realizes divorce is a big step and hopes I will keep taking baby steps forward, and that she wants to be here for my recovery.

I was so relieved. And I am cautiously happy... although I will be treading much more carefully from now on! I do not want to lose her again!