hmmm...where to begin...

i met a woman when i first came home to central florida, after a brief hiatus in s. florida.  she, at the time, became very close and was a major source of strength to me as i healed and eliminated many problems in my life.  she is a major reason i have the job that i have.  now, tho, and for a long time, i have distanced myself from her.  she became overbearing and almost to the point that i should sell my home and come live with her because she is afraid of growing old all alone.  for example, one night she was in her parking lot in front of her house and she fell.  she laid there and cried, wondering out loud how would she ever make it alone.  i was there.  i helped her to her feet, but from that moment on, i knew she was manipulating me, as i had felt she had been doing for some time.  all is good if i did what she wanted me to do, but if i resisted, well, not so much.

i got an interview because she told me of my job.  my boss tells me he almost didn't hire me BECAUSE i was this gal's friend.  thank goodness he saw it in his heart to talk with me and judge me on my own merit. 

this all being said, and to let you know, i have held this position for almost 4 years, i have recently applied for a couple of positions that have opened up, which would be a promotion for me.  i was told today that this same woman, who is in somewhat of a position of authority, is saying "mimi shouldn't get this or that job...she couldn't handle it.

this so called friend knows how many difficulties i have faced these last many years and she has a vague idea of the accomplishments that i have had, and she knows that a promotion would help me even more...financially and emotionally, yet she says these defeating remarks and she has some clout. 

confronting her would mean giving up a confidence, which i just flat out won't do, so i guess my only option is to pray that my reputation preceeds me and that my work will stand on it's own merit and the other "influential friends" that i have will have as much, if not more, clout...right?  i don't see her socially any more and i steer pretty much clear of her except to the point of being rude.  i know that she is self-serving and not really my friend.  i guess, as long as i know, that's about all i can do.  what do you think?

thanks for letting me get this out!