"Burning bridges" - can it be temporary?

Post Reply New Topic

By now I'm well-aware of that certain knack we on the spectrum have of relational interactions dying a sudden and mysterious death, and the flip side of it where I've cut people out of my life over slights.

My situation is; I have someone who owes me money, as well as other people. This individual will boast of good purchases he makes, yet claims to be spending money he doesn't have when someone asks a small portion of what they are due.

I have a bit of leverage on him in regard to the several projects he asked me to help him with, that I haven't been able to complete due to the chain of incompetence that pervades that environment. He has promised these projects to be completed to several people. Today I told him that if he does not settle up with me I can go no further, he attempted to engage in circular conversation and spoke of my time helping him in past tense after I told him I planned on spending a week evaluating the relationship and reducing my stress levels.

Ultimately I can sense a 'breakup' is inevitable, but in the meantime I realize I'm wielding a good amount of power that could even lead to his livelihood being severely impacted, but being an aspie I wouldn't want to use it.

This person does have good qualities that would see me enjoying spending time with, if the money issue wasn't a huge factor

Does this make sense, can anyone relate?

Can't relate in the same manner that you discuss. But I find with pathological liars and people who simply can't be honest with me for a minute, I will walk away silently and burn bridges if I feel I can't deal with it anymore. I may not ever speak to that person again either even after I have long moved on and forgotten about it.