Dear Eric: I’ve been friends with a woman for at least 10 years. Recently, she had a birthday, and our circle of friends planned on going to a local bar to celebrate. I decided not to attend because I couldn’t afford a $10 cover charge. I told her, and she seemed to be OK with it.

But then I noticed I wasn’t hearing from her like I usually did. I asked another friend, and they said they were under the impression she’s upset and disappointed because I didn’t go out for her birthday. I sent her a text apologizing and explained I really couldn’t afford it and that I live paycheck to paycheck, and I thought she’d understand.

She responded by saying she understood because she also lives paycheck to paycheck and considered me a close friend. She was upset and disappointed I didn’t come out for

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