My opinion is and you are going to hate this... Nothing EVER gets appropriately communicated via e-mail. You cannot hear tone, you cannot see expression. I have always followed the advice of former boss of mine...if it takes more than two e-mails to discuss something, you need to pick up the phone. It seems as if you guys had a misunderstanding...I really can't tell much more than that through the e-mails since I do not have much background...but if you want to maintain a friendship, at least with the wife, I would suggest you take it off line....Or just say eff it and be done with the whole thing, which, judging from the e-mails, will end a friendship. I hope you do not find this too forward..it's just that I woudl hat to see you lose a friendship if that is not what you want.