Final answer:
Buddy's relationship with the old woman who he calls 'my friend' is depicted as multifaceted, including casual acquaintance, strained relations, and true friendship with loyalty, though complicated by various context-driven tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between Buddy and the old woman he refers to as "my friend" varies across these excerpts but generally portrays nuances of friendship and acquaintanceship with complicated undertones. The text suggests a familiarity between Buddy and the old woman that ranges from distant politeness to an intimate bond. The interaction at the grocery store or library implies a casual but friendly rapport. In other instances, the term "friend" is used stubbornly or with frustration, hinting at strained relations or past intimacy that has soured. Yet in some snippets, we see expressions of loyalty and the kind of deep connection that can exist between true friends, even when faced with difficult choices or when the friendship becomes an encumbrance.