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