Dear... Dustin
What strange times we are living in. I felt isolated before, but now with the whole world participating, it's even darker than it was before.
When you reached out over a year ago (how did time pass so quickly and so slowly, all at the same time?), you were a beacon of light, hope for the future. Maybe it was finally our time to shine together. I hoped that when you were able to see how I was able to change my fate, maybe it would ignite the slowly dying ember in you, finally get you to choose a different path than the one you went down in your foolish youth.
I asked you then if you thought we would have stood chance if we could have been together all those years ago. And you said no way. I will never stop believing you were wrong. If I'm being honest, I think I've always loved you. I've made so many mistakes in this crazy journey called life, but you've always accepted the light and the dark in me. And, had I been given the chance, I would have embraced it all in you. Maybe you got scared. Maybe I pushed too hard. Maybe I wanted it way too much. Maybe I was just a distraction for you.
In this time of uncertainty, I wish it was just you and me, riding out this pandemic. We'd go for runs. Of course, you're a foot taller than me, and I'd never be able to match your stride. But I'd follow where you go. We'd cook together. Maybe we'd read our favorite classic novels together, and I'd finally get through Les Miserables.
I miss you more than I ever have. I hope you're well.