I got a private message from a poster that felt maybe I would rather let the friendship be as it is, enjoy pleasant memories, not push for some finality from a dub that would probably consider my message to be some kind of covert machination.
Knowing my friend, he is liable to call me or write me about how sly I am trying to be and how it might be best to sever our ties.
I still don't know. I will lose him anyway if I don't attempt something. I will sit on this and mull it over. No hurry- it's not like Armageddon is coming.