As a young girl in the Midwest, Constance Hanstedt was consumed by fear of her parents, especially her disapproving mother, Virginia; of social situations; and of people in general. Unable to connect with those around her, she embraced perfectionism as a substitute for love. Raising her own family eased some of Hanstedt s self-doubt. But even as an adult she remained guarded around her mother, avoiding conflict at all costs. Still, when Virginia developed Alzheimer s, Hanstedt did what the perfect daughter she d always struggled to be would do: she returned to the Midwestern town where she...

Candid, relatable stories by established and emerging women writers about being discarded by someone from whom they expected more: a close female friend. There are 161 million women in America today, and our friendships are still as primary and universal as back when Ruth and Naomi, Elizabeth and Susan B., and Thelma and Louise made history. When a romantic relationship breaks up, no problem there s an Adele song for that. Health concerns; problems in school; issues at the workplace? We ve got our chums to prop us up. Until we don t. When our most sustaining relationships dissolve those with...