LOVE AT MILITARY CAMP

here, you know you've committed a grave sin

lone in the office while my parents spoke with the principal outside. W

ts spread without the principal batting an eye. But bec

father scared me. He was openly homophobi

showed how disa

end. Slowly, tears began

one-Blocked was boldly

cretly recorded me and shared it.

d me. I did everything to make him comfortable. I kept our rela

were caught together. He pret

ng me. I gave him

royed me, humiliated

ll

ative voice snapped

. She looked disappoint

p, loweri

er said sternly and turn

dn't know he recorded it."

ramed. I still love you, no matter what

nts had together, I had always been my mo

was gay, but she had guessed it

of my life. We barely knew each other. And now, six m

dea what h

d as we walked out of

their classroom windows,

and I tightened my gri

okay," sh

athing, trying to b

l yelled, laughin

hook as we exited t

t cry," sh

lot. My dad stood by

ous, but his voice w

im on the recruitment list. That's

pped. Was he t

to force me in

out, but I knew better than

mmander." He e

he car until my

Allen into the military

made me flinch. My mother looked wounded, star

year. Be prepared before March. The military will bring out the ma

s hurt my mom but he wa

om didn't say a word, but I c

hand, let my t

t just about

the b

boy I had ever truste

a crime

crime t

few days

ring me about how mu

our entire comm

he "gay slut from the viral video." Those who already kne

ocking on our door was great

kids didn't even look

less. Some nights, I

n her lap, she stroked

om

es

the year, so she w

ing gay. I should cha

mom hushe

how controlling he is-he doesn't care about other people's feeling

or the first time, I felt an

ned your reputation. I never knew he was recording, Mom. I trusted him too much. I was stupid.

t the whole time I spoke. But whe

the bullying on social media..., I know you, darling. You nev

tears, but mor

ing my head on

deleted all my soci

chuckled

not," she whispered. "Not for you

of hell, I had th

straight, the ha

d finally look at

ecause of Dad. But I want to go t

low hard. She shif

ind was

raight man everyo