| Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: For all the years my kids were in elementary and middle school, “Rebecca” and I were the PTA duo. Each of us has three kids, so we were at this for 15 years. We did so much work. We were never really friends outside of the PTA, but we made a great team and respected each other. Or so I thought. My husband and I were at a local restaurant, waiting by the hostess stand for a table, when I overheard Rebecca talking about me. A community fundraising event that she and I started was coming up and she was regaling her table with the horrors of working with me: I was controlling and humorless and so very frustrating that when she and I finished our last PTA thing together, she and her husband went out to celebrate. There was no way to get to our table other than to pass by her table. I could see worry cross her face. She knew I had heard. I am bewildered. I have worked my entire life and enjoy what I think are solid professional relationships. I have good friends, hubs is my best friend. My relationship with my kids is healthy. I just don’t know. How could I have misunderstood my relationship with Rebecca so profoundly? Do I ask her about it? It is making me question everything. I’m suddenly so insecure and can’t get her words out of my head. They are on a loop. — Middle Age Mean Girl | 
