It has been almost 2 years since a precious family crewel embrodiery was stolen?

Question

My friend stole this precious family crewel embrodiery picture that my deceased mother made. He has never admitted it. He was the only one who had access to the house. I still have tried to forgive him but still have very strong resentment towards him. I have been a friend to his elderly mother and himself. but I feel it is getting too difficult to keep pretending that I am over it when I will never be until he admits the theft or returns the picture.. Should I sever all ties??

Answer 1

You're going to have to help me help you here.

There aren't too many details.

1. I imagine you're sure that he stole it but what did he gain?

1a) Does he have to hide it from you - do you go over to his house?
1b) Have you gone over and surprised him by coming over unannounced?
1c) Would he have sold it? - See what I'm looking for? If he did steal it - where's he hiding it? Did he hock it? sell it to a crafts store? If so, have you looked in the local craft stores? Why did he have access to your house? When? Were you away and he was housewatching?

You're going to have to give more details.

2. Do you know what he does when he's lying?
2a) if so then you definitely know by now that he is.
2b) if not then why not? I know when my friends are lying - why don't you?
2c) how old are you?

3. Very important! Has he stolen things before? Not from you from others that you know about?
3a) odds are if he has that he is indeed guilty but what did he do with it? - Just ask him that?
3b) if you are his friend and can say that he's never stolen from anyone else - I'd doublecheck whom I suspected. Abnormal behaviour is not normal. Normal behaviour is normal and whenever someone deviates from their habits and practices - then, I'm suspicious.

4. You say that you'll "get over it" when he admits to it and returns the picture but . . . Why? or How?
4a) if he admits it then I would sever ties with him because if you don't he'll steal from you again.
4b) only if he doesn't "admit it" would I stay with him. How often have you asked him - because if I were asked too many times and didn't do it - then I would sever ties with you!
4c) if you've asked him over and over again - why is he still there? Can he not get friends anywhere else? If not - why not? Does he have any lifelong friends? Friends that have been with him for years? If not then I would severe the ties and go find some other friends. You must be really trusting to stick with him for so long.

I hoped that I have helped.