what are friends for

"So, basically, I think we need to do something."
It had been two weeks since I'd gone to the bank with Phil and he'd told me his new theories about Pete. We'd both been watching him closely since then -- what there was to watch. Phil's gambling theory fit, and after Pete came home last night with what looked like two-day bags under his eyes, a fat lip and a bruise on his cheekbone, I'd decided that just sitting by wasn't an option anymore. Everyone was sitting in my living room, digesting what Phil and I had told them.
"Like an intervention?" Kathleen rolled her eyes. "Come on, Gia. Do you really think that's going to do anything. He'll probably lie to us -- IF anything is going on -- and then laugh himself out the door. And try getting him to come back after that. You know Pete."
"Actually, Kathleen," Maria chimed in. Her normally laughing and sparkling dark eyes were serious. "We do know Pete. And this isn't him. There is a stranger living in that house, and I agree with Gia. It's time to find Pete again."
I looked around the room, and saw determination staring back at me. I wasn't worried about Kathleen. We'd already figured she'd be the dissenting opinion, but we knew Phil could make her see reason.
"We thought we'd talk to him this weekend," I said. As I anticipated, everyone got a nervous look on their face. "I know it's soon," I said, "but the sooner the better, I think. He should show up for the show Saturday night, so we're going to keep him around and talk to him on Sunday. And John, we really want you there too," I looked at our new friend, who looked surprised.
"Pete really respects you, and I have a feeling you'll have a calming influence."
He nodded. "I know this seems drastic, and like the last thing you want to be doing," he said gently. "But if we're truly Pete's friends -- if we truly care about him -- we have to try and make him confront the truth and get some help. Otherwise it's like watching him walk blindfolded toward the edge of the Grand Canyon and not reach out to take off the blindfold."
I felt drained just thinking about confronting Pete, and I could see the tension in everyone else as well. It was going to be a long weekend.