The Rid Carpet

I'm a 30-something gay guy. When I moved to a new city five years ago, I knew nobody except two female co-workers, who became my first friends. I have since met wonderful, talented, artistic people who are more my style. I no longer work with these ladies, and I'm just not interested in hanging out with them anymore. When they call to get together, I keep saying I'm busy, but they're not getting the picture. How do I break up with them without being mean?

--Trapped

When you break up with a...