Friend borrowed $3000 and didn't pay back as promised

3 months ago, a friend asked to borrow $3000. I don't think she told me the truth why she needed it (she said it was a tie-over until she got her tax refund.) I was hesitant as $3000 is a lot of money, but this is a good friend and I could sense she was struggling financially because she had recently taken in a roommate and started working a 2nd job. Before loaning her the money, I asked her if she was in any kind of trouble, and she denied it, saying that she just needed some extra money to tie her over until her tax refund.

30 days went by. No text, no call. 60 days went by... no text, no call. 90 days went by... no text no call. 94 days go by and she calls me to wish me a happy b-day and asks when are we going out for drinks like nothing ever happened. I couldn't talk when she called me at work, but it was awkward and I was mad. I decided to think and pray about this over the weekend.

This morning, I texted her and said I needed the $3000 by then end of this week. I got a response a few hours later saying that she had not forgotten about the money, but I would have to wait until the end of the month. I texted back and asked for a date. I got a text saying I would get $1500 at the end of this month and $1500 at the end of September. I don't even know if I believe her. Worst off, I feel betrayed and taken advantage of.

What would you do?

Theosis · 56-60, M

To badazz... et al,

Yes, I have documentation and she admits to owing it and wants to be put on a payment plan, but that's not what we agreed to. Plus, after getting the money, she ghosted for 90+ days...and this is someone I usually talk/text a few times a week. So, my real issue is not getting the money back, but being lied to by a friend of 12 years.

As I said earlier, she originally said she needed the money to tie her over until she got her refund check. I sort of doubted that story, but sometimes people are too embarrassed to be up front. I'm not, afraid of admitting that I F#%@^D something up and need help, but that's me. What bothers me is that now she says, "Well, I wound up owing instead of getting back." OK, that's a lame excuse. You always know whether you owe or get back. The issue is being lied to.