Duane

I've said hi to Duane for years. I run into him when I am out walking my dog. He's always been a lovely dapper gentleman. I ran into him a few days ago and he said, "It's my birthday!" and I said happy birthday. Today I saw him and I said how's your birthday week going? And we had a chat. He told me he was always a straight A student but had several concussions as a kid as a result of bullying and he fell apart. "Now they know about concussions."  He went on, "Whether I like it or not, I'm gay, I was born gay." Then he told me his mother sexually abused him. "I tried to end my life numerous times, I even flipped my car over intentionally after my cat died but I survived without a scratch. They've done everything to me for my depression, shock treatment and the works, but finally after years of trying things they found an antidepressant that works."

"Thank God. Wow I'm sorry," I said, "but you've done a lot of work."

"Yes I have. Can I have a hug?"

"Absolutely."