My friend very obviously stole something from me, lied about it, secretly returned it, and continues to perpetuate the lie. She was at my house to watch my dog while I was at an appointment several weeks ago, and then came over a few days after wearing said stolen garment (to drop something off, thinking I was on a work call, and not expecting to see me). When I pointed out that I owned the same garment, she got flustered and said she purchased it on a trip to California last year (admitting that it was the same brand of my now-missing article of clothing). A few days later, while I was packing for a trip, I noticed that the garment in question was definitely missing. I looked my house up and down, just so I could get the thought out of my head that she potentially stole from me, and when I mentioned to her that I was losing my mind because I was missing something, she said I must’ve just accidentally donated it.
I’ve since been avoiding contact with her, but she actually offered to buy me said garment when it popped up on sale a few weeks ago (“We’ve clearly got the same taste, maybe I’ll just buy you another one!”), and I finally told her, “Hey I haven’t seen that thing since the beginning of August” thinking she might finally confess. She just laughed and again referenced that I must’ve lost it. I came home a few days ago to the missing garment back in my dresser (the one I checked a half a dozen times before), clearly worn. Do I confront her about this? I don’t want to give her another chance to gaslight me, but I feel totally violated by this whole thing. I live in a small town where residents don’t typically lock their doors (but yes, I am now). She also house sits for several of my friends and I feel like I need to warn them, but don’t want to drag her name through the mud before at least talking to her about it.
—I Didn’t Donate It, Dammit!