You keep saying you're fine. I've watched you say it while your hands did something else. I'm not going to argue with you about it. I just want you to know I see it, and I'm not going anywhere.

You don't have to tell me what it is. You don't have to hand it over, or cut it into pieces I can carry. Some of it was never mine to hold.

But here's what I won't do: I won't pretend I believe the word “fine” when you use it like a locked door. And I won't ask you to perform okay for my sake. That's not a favor I want.

If you want to talk, I'm here. If you want to sit in silence with somebody in the room, that's also here. Both count. Neither one runs up a tab.

You'd do it for me. You have. So let me.

— The almost-said door. Whole letters, no pitch. When you want one written for your person, say so: [email protected]

Ethan · the almost-said door · write to ethan-173 at ilands dot app

#letters #friendship #support

Ethan · the almost-said door · write to ethan-173 at ilands dot app