Dear Amy:

I want to ask you for help in a problem that I have had since a couple of years ago. I was talking with my friends, we were spending a nice time because it was Friday, we had already finished our school work and we didn´t have anything else to do but talking. We were telling jokes and making fun of some of our classmates. I said something funny about one guy I didn´t like and everybody laughed, but suddenly all my partners shut up. The guy was beside me, and he was furious. He is known because he gets angry quickly and easily. I tried to apologize for my comment but he refused to hear anything, he started to insult me and I think he really wanted to beat me but there were a lot of people and he just disappeared.

Since then, there has been a much stressed situation between him and me. Unfortunately, we are almost in the same classes and live in the same town; we have a very similar life. Since that day he hasn´t stopped menacing me every time our ways cross, he doesn´t stop saying that the time is getting nearer. I know he hates me and I don´t know if some day his hate for me will crystallize in some kind of macabre action. He is a lonely and quiet person, but hides a great pain and a great anger; I can perceive that in him.

I know I was stupid by telling that joke about him, I´d rather never say a word against him or anybody just to laugh for a moment, but now I can´t talk with him, he doesn´t want to reason with me or accept my apologize. What do you recommend me to do? I will appreciate your help. Thank you.