So vividly told! You know, I was sort of waiting for a different kind of ending, acknowledgment or at least fulfillment. But when I finished the story, I realized part of its authenticity lies in the reality of the closet.

How many crushes did I have as a closeted gay teen, crushes I never dared express? Perhaps that made me feel slightly ashamed of myself even as I felt good?

Powerful truth-telling here.