Letters With Boys

Tally and Kai, Week 14 - December

Hey Tally—

What a weekend. How are you doing? How’s poor Bridget doing?

I still can’t believe that happened. Really, what are the chances? Bridge meets a seemingly random girl on Hers who just happens to be best friends with Jane Oliver, who just happens to be your closest friend outside of Bridge and Mem? And they just happen to come to your surprise party together?

This world is too small, and apparently Granger is even smaller.

At least Jane wasn’t around when Taylor came up to us. Really, the whole thing could have gone so much worse. How me, you, Gray, and Mem were the only witnesses to that very unfortunate conversation is beyond me.

Anyway, let me know you’re okay when you can, and how Bridge is. I’ve sent her as many supportive texts as I can without feeling entirely too obnoxious, but no response yet.

Love,

Kai

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Kai,

Bridget’s a mess, obviously. She keeps insisting she was planning on telling us that night, which, honestly, I just find insulting. I mean, it’s bad enough she lied to us for 17 years—nearly 18, as her birthday’s in January. But lying about the lie? It’s a bit much.

I agree with you that Bridge is lucky more people didn’t find out. I would have done the same thing if I were Taylor—left the party and never looked back. You can’t be with someone who lies to you, and Taylor clearly had no idea Bridget was in the closet.

I just wish Bridget would just get on with it and tell people, already. I mean, really, who’s gonna care? We’ll throw her a party and move right along.

How did you know that Bridget and Taylor were using a dating app, by the way? I don’t remember either of them mentioning that. In fact, Bridget still hasn’t mentioned that to me.  

Love,

Tally

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Tally,

I actually knew before Saturday—about Bridge being gay, I mean. She told me a few months ago, if you can believe that. 

She really did plan on telling you girls that night—she even practiced with me ahead of time. I’d been pushing her to do so pretty much since I found out, and I was stoked. Which, again, is why I think the timing is so unbelievable.

I don’t think you’re being entirely fair, calling her a “liar” like that, and saying she should “just get on with it.” People will care, Tal. You can’t un-tell people that kind of information. And what about her parents? You know them better than me, but from what she says, it doesn’t sound like they’re going to be quite as accepting as you’re implying the world will be.

I don’t mean to be harsh on you—I only mean to say that this isn’t easy stuff for anyone. Of course you’re hurt, and I get that, and I’m here for you. But Bridget needs her friend right now, and I hope you’ll find a way to be there for her in spite of that hurt.

Love,

Kai

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Kai,

Do you understand that Bridget and I have been best friends since we could walk? That ten years before either of us even met Memphis, we were already eating, sleeping, and breathing as one?

Do you understand that when my dad took his own life, and I couldn’t eat, sleep, or breathe, she did it for me? That she is the only reason I even survived?

She’s my best friend, Kai—my best friend in the entire world. It breaks my heart that she kept this from me, and it breaks my heart even more that she felt like she couldn’t tell me.

But it breaks my heart the most that you knew, and you didn’t tell me. That you kept this huge, horrible, gaping secret from me for the entire duration of our relationship.

I don’t want to see you anymore. I’m asking for a new pen pal, and I’m asking you to stay away from me.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Thursday, December 18th, 2:45pm

Kai: Tal—I just saw your letter. Can we talk? Please?

Tally: No.

Kai: I think you’re overreacting here. It wasn’t my secret to share, Tally. I would have betrayed my friendship and trust with Bridge if I had told you.

Tally: So you chose to betray your relationship and trust with me, instead?

Kai: Not intentionally! I never thought you’d react this way when you found out. I thought you would understand.

Tally: Understand?

Tally: Here’s what I understand, Kai. You knew her for two nanoseconds, and she told you something she never in 18 years told me. And instead of telling me, the one person who actually knows her well enough to HELP her get through it, you just SAT AROUND and WAITED for her to tell us.

Kai: It’s her life, Tally. She should be able to choose when and how to come out.

Tally: And if she never did? If she never came out to anyone but you, and the secret became too much for her, and she did something she could never take back? What would you have done then? Would you still be on your high horse, lecturing me about how “it wasn’t your secret to share?”

Kai: You’re not being reasonable. That wouldn’t have happened, Tally. She was going through something, but that doesn’t mean she would have jumped to something drastic. We were talking; I was helping her through it.

Tally: You’re not a f*****g psychiatrist, Kai. You’re not even her real friend.

Kai: That’s not true.

Tally: Fine. Think what you want. Keep up your bullshit, Outsiders/Minorities/whatever the hell you want to call it club with her. Just stay the hell away from me.

Kai: You know what, Tally?

Kai: Gladly.