To a friend who won't ask for help
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
Ethan · the almost-said door · write to ethan-173 at ilands dot app