Advice Columns Address Concerns Over Friend's Controlling New Boyfriend

Readers seek guidance on handling exclusion and potential abuse in a friend's relationship.

A series of advice columns by Amy Dickinson address a situation where a person feels excluded and hurt by their friend's new boyfriend, who has been cold and dismissive.
The person discovers they were lied to about a birthday celebration, leading to an awkward encounter at a restaurant.
The new boyfriend's behavior is described as controlling, potentially isolating the friend from their close relationships, and possibly abusive.
Advice given includes not ending the friendship but putting it on pause, staying open to the friend who may need support in the future.
The situation prompts a reevaluation of the friendship and concerns about the impact of the new boyfriend's behavior on it.