I have (or had) a friend, who I have known for 18 years. Male friend, a year older than me. Always said he was gay, certainly active in LGBT events, but I have not ever known him have a partner of any sort in all the time I have known him.
Anyway, we used to work in the same university, pop in and out of each others offices all the time, have lunch, beers after work, go out at week ends. Did a lot of hillwalking together. Been on holiday together a few times, in small groups.
Time passed on, both got new jobs, both of us moved around the country a bit. He was made redundant and went travelling, sent lots of post cards and emails. As life went on we both ended up in the same county, working in the same city and we used to meet up after work about once month or so. Emailed all the time. I was married by this time. Started hillwalking together again, with DH. Meals at each others' houses etc ...
All this died down a little after DS was born 3 years ago, but still lots of chatty email contact, week end get togethers, bit of week end walking with baby back pack etc. Still lots of chatty emails, phone calls etc
Then nothing for about 18 months. I sent a few emails, and got short, factual replies. Phoned a few times, never any answer. He rents his flat off a colleague and I checked he hadn't moved. When DD was born last year, I sent a card to his flat (with my phone and email contacts in). No response A mutual friend was speaking to him recently and asked if he had heard from me recently. He replied that he'd heard I'd had another baby and changed the subject.
I've been dumped haven't I? Very sad, we go back a long way and he is one of my most longstanding friends.