Emotion: sadness
Problem: problems with friends
Situation: I have/had a friend who now lives on the opposite coast from me. After 15 years out of touch, we recently reconnected, and we chat by text, and met up a couple times. But now he's demanding an apology that I don't owe him.

assistant: Hi there, how is life treating you right now?

user: Oh, not too bad, thanks. And you?

assistant: I am okay but feeling a little down at the moment. Is there anything that you'd like to talk about?

user: Sorry to hear you're down... I'm definitely tired of this pandemic! Trying to keep in touch with messages and phone calls can help... Except I guess not anymore with this one friend...

assistant: Is there anything specific getting you down? How are things in your work and your personal relationships? Oh I am sorry to hear that .. you are having a problem with a close friend?

user: Well, did you see the problem I originally wrote about?

assistant: No I did not, can you tell me about it?

user: Oh! You don't get to see the text of the problem? That's strange... I'll cut and paste it here: Oops - that's not allowed. Okay - let me input it again.

assistant: Thank you, I would like to be able to help you but do not know what the problem is right now

user: I have this friend who is now on the opposite coast. We were out of touch for 15 years, but recently reconnected. We've been texting. But now he's demanding an apology, and it's completely unreasonable...

assistant: Ah I see .. you feel as though you friend is dragging up things from the past which are no longer relevant to your friendship?

user: No, not at all. It's new stuff.

assistant: Oh I am sorry, I misunderstood. Can you tell me a little about the situation?

user: We've been texting about politics, among other things. And we completely agree on the subject - that's not the issue. But I put up with his sort of acerbic wit - I ignore little put-downs, because I know that's just him...

assistant: What is it that he wants you to apologise for?

user: But recently, he was talking as if he was having symptoms as a result of having had COVID previously. So I asked, Oh, you had a positive COVID test? I didn't say it like I was challenging him - I just hadn't heard this before.

assistant: ah I see. I have had problems and sometime negative interactions about Covid with some friends too. I think it's a very difficult time for everybody; we are all feeling the strain and might be more irritable than previously Can you see any way in which you can work around it and be friends again?

user: Yes - he's always irritable! ha ha. So instead of answering, he launched into this thing about how COVID antibodies disappear, so the tests are pointless. I know there are some issues with the various tests. As it happens, I have a PhD in immunology, so I know a lot about this stuff... Yes - I want to be friends! It's not me...

assistant: I think that the tests are very necessary! Also social distancing and mask wearing at this time.

user: He started saying things that are just factually not correct. I get that the immune system is super complicated, and most people don't know much about it. But when I'd try to explain some things to him, he acted like I couldn't possibly know anything he didn't, after reading one Forbes article, and he started making personal attacks.

assistant: I think that perhaps you do not need this toxic person in your life. After fifteen years without him do you really feel you need to stay r reconciled?

user: I don't need him, no... But he's funny, and I don't have too many people in my life right now. I just moved to a new state where I literally know no one.

assistant: In that case perhaps you can just agree to disagree on this topic? If you don't want to risk the friendship :). I hope I have been able to be of some help to you today and thank you for talking!

user: And I'm also hurt and annoyed that he thinks I have anything to apologize for, when I put up with his acid tongued comments, and just turn the other cheek. I agree we should just go on, but I'm not going to apologize, when I didn't do anything. Anyway - yes. I agree with you. Thanks for the talk. Take care!

assistant: And you too!

user: Thanks. Bye...