A sick cat in New York City

Metropolitan Diary: Friendship test

Dear Diary:

I was at the dry cleaner. A woman came in with an ungainly heavy bundle, which she dumped onto the counter. It was a patterned comforter completely covered with stains.

“My friend’s cat threw up all over my bed,” she said. “Can you clean this?”

“That will be $50,” the woman behind the counter said.

“She must be a very good friend,” I said.

“She is not a friend anymore,” the woman replied.

— Patricia Rich