On growing out of a friendship

From The Wonder Spot by Melissa Banks:

... and these reasons have nothing to do with our friendship and everything to do with how I see Dena now.

***

When she drops me off at the Hot Plate, she says, "Good-bye," and I'm surprised to hear in her voice what I myself have been trying to conceal: Whatever affection we have for each other is from a long time ago.

***

I realize I will never hear from Dena gain, and I will never call her. It gives me a chill. It is a strange thing to end a friendship, even if you know it's what you want. It's like a death; all of a sudden your experience of a person becomes finite.