Finding the focus

My son and I have a mutual friend, a workmate of mine whom I knew there would be an affinity with. Not to mention another reason for contact. But it is strange how a simple question can crystalize a whole situation. My son asked me this evening as to how our friend was, and I had to say that I honestly did not know. It was not as if we had not spoken, we had exchanged a few words on several occassions, but nothing beyond social pleasantries. A far cry from converstions once enjoyed. Now I do not know if this has anything to do with the personal issues I have been dealing with, the fact that I have rid of my demons has only served to reveal the situation as it really is. Or has it been a conscious effort on the part of the other person to put distance between us? A question not needing an answer I suppose. As long as the desired end is reached, what matter the means? Or reasons. I suppose I should be more than a little grateful that the almost complete downgrading of my role is not viewed with any sense of disappointment. Such is life. Just goes to show how effective negative reinforcement really is. I do not bother asking anymore, for the answers are either the negatives I expect or ones to vex my patience. Time to move on?