Dear Prudence,
My friend, “Karina,” has been in a series of unhealthy relationships for the entire time I’ve known her. A few months ago, she fled her most recent abusive partner and has been rebuilding her life as a single mom.
I recently upgraded my washer and dryer, and offered the old set and some other household items to Karina. She happily accepted and said she’d stop by the next day with a friend to pick everything up. My apartment buzzer rang the next day at the agreed-upon time, but when I checked the camera, there was a large man standing at the front door. He introduced himself as “Raymon,” Karina’s new boyfriend, and said that he was there to pick everything up. I asked him to hang on while I called Karina, but she didn’t answer, so I sent him away.
Karina called me a few hours later and was absolutely furious. I am a petite woman, and I live alone. I was not comfortable inviting a large, strange man into my home with no warning, and I especially don’t trust Karina’s judgment when it comes to men. I know Karina has a lot going on, but am I in the wrong here?