Dear Eric: I have been friends with “Bill” for more than 25 years. When the fire started in the Pacific Palisades, we had to evacuate our home. My wife and I went to one friend’s condo for two nights, then to another couple’s house for four nights and then we went to Bill and his wife’s guest house, which is separate from the main house.
We bought dinner for the four of us from a nice restaurant and we tried to stay out of their way as much as possible. (I should note, they had hosted another couple the first few nights after the fire before we came some days later.)
Bill and I often go to sporting events together. While I was with him for the Super Bowl this year, he told me, “you know, we really did not like that you stayed with us. We were annoyed to have you after the other couple had moved out, but we felt obligated.” I was shocked, as we never had an argument in 25 years of friendship…