Chase,
Sitting here in my self-created prison, holding your precious phone has given me time to think about how lucky I am.

When I realized that I was gay, I always expected it to set me up for a lot of hurt. There are so many stories of queer kids being bullied, rejected, kicked out of their own homes, and far, far worse. For this reason, like so many others, I decided to say and do nothing.

Until a game of spin-the-bottle at Sarah's house changed everything. Kyle considered himself open-minded enough to kiss me in front of everyone but it meant nothing to him. For me, on the other hand, it opened a door of possibility that I no longer wanted to close.

Then, I met you.

From the moment I heard your voice, I was enthralled. When you winked at me, I knew that I wanted to know everything about you and more. After my first glance at your cute bubble butt, I wanted to bite it (I can't believe I'm confessing to that one).

Then, the gods allowed me to see your character, your kindness, your creativity, and your remarkable sense of humor. I knew that I was caught... hook, line, and sinker.

You are my first crush, my first kiss, and my first lover. That's what we did last night, we made love. For me, it was neither carnal, cliche, nor empty. I felt so at home in your embrace that I slept like I belonged for the first time since I lost my mother.

I told my father a lie, so he wouldn't find out about you; my little slice of paradise. That way, he couldn't accidentally ruin what I have with you.

Even if I never get to see you again before I leave, please know that you've given me so much joy.

You irrevocably showed me that Duncan is very right, it truly is OK to be gay.

This gift can never be taken from me and I can only hope that our time together has also been meaningful for you.

If I carry on writing, I'll start to cry.

Love,
Tanner.

Sent from YOUR iPhone.

***

Tanner,
I can honestly say that I've never received an email like this before. I'm tempted to let you keep the phone, so you'll send more.

I could never do this message justice with a written reply, so I'm coming tonight. It's all arranged with Duncan.

Sent from my Blackberry.