Search Results: betrayed by a friend

I have a former friend who I excommunicated from my life a few months ago. The reason I did this is because, after years of me acting in a consistent manner toward him, he gave me no indication that he disapproved of my behavior, and then he lied on me to his parents.

For years, "Sam" and I would playfully tease and joke around with each other at work. (Of course, there was more to our communication that just joking around. We were good friends who communicated on several levels.) Every single time that we kidded each other, he would have a grin on his face that suggested that he approved of this mutual behavior that composed a large portion of our friendship. He gave me absolutely no indication--either directly or indirectly--that he disapproved of how things were between us.

Then one day without warning, his dad approached me at work. ("Sam's" whole family works at the same place where I work.) His dad told me that Sam had told him that I had been "abusing him" and "talking down" to him. I denied any wrongdoing and I told Sam's dad that Sam had not indicated any displeasure toward me.

At first, I was furious at his betrayl and I vowed to never associate with him again. But now, I sort of want to give him another chance. So, what should I do? Forgive him or keep him permanently banned from my life?