Goodnight qoutes to your boyfriend

Adam and D-Sides Boyfriend, or DS for short, were deep into a game of Super Mario Bros Wonder on the Nintendo Switch."Yeah, this game is pretty good!" Adam agreed, just as the doorbell rang. He paused the game and got up. "Hang on, I gotta see who's at the door." Boyfriend nodded, and Adam walked to the front door. Opening it, he found Owen and Oskar standing there. "I often forget you know where I live," Adam remarked. Oskar darted inside, eager to escape Owen’s company. "Hi," Owen said, following more slowly. Owen took one couch, and Oskar took another, each eyeing the other warily.

Adam broke the silence. "So, where are your girlfriends tonight?" "Busy," they both replied in unison. "Well, okay then," Adam said. "I’m playing Mario Wonder with Boyfriend. Want to join?"
"You have a boyfriend?" Oskar asked incredulously. "No, his name is Boyfriend," Adam clarified. "You’re joking," Owen said, skeptical. "Nope. Hey BF, come out here!" Adam called. DS stepped out and waved. "Beep!" "Huh, you’re right," Oskar admitted.

Just then, someone knocked on the side door. "Hold on," Adam said, heading over. He opened it to find Isaiah and Eleanor. "Hi, Adam!" Eleanor greeted cheerfully. "Hi, guys!" Adam responded. Isaiah walked in, stopping when he saw Owen and Oskar. "Oh...who are you guys?" Isaiah asked. "I’m Oskar," Oskar replied. "I’m Owen," Owen added. Eleanor followed Adam, who closed the door behind them. "So, since there are more people here than usual, any ideas on what to do tonight?" Adam asked. "Beep Bo Bap!" DS beeped. "Boys' Night Out?" Adam suggested. "Boys' Night Out?" Owen repeated, confused. "It’s basically when just the guys go out for the night and have fun!" Adam explained.

"So, basically anything?" Oskar asked. "Yeah, as long as it’s legal," Adam said. "Are you okay with it, Eleanor?" Isaiah asked. Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Your sister is home, right, Adam?" "Yeah, but she was a bit snappy earlier. I wouldn’t bother her," Adam warned. "Where would we go, anyway?" Owen asked. "Beep bap!" DS suggested. "Yeah, we can go to Applebee's," Adam said. "I’m okay with that," Isaiah agreed. "Can we go to the casino afterward?" Owen asked. Everyone stared at him in confusion. "Dude, we’re all 12-14 except for BF," Adam said. "Oh right," Owen realized. "We can go to the arcade next," Isaiah suggested. "That works," Adam said. "What about after that?" Oskar asked. "We'll figure it out. Ready to go?" Adam asked. "Yeah, I’m ready," Isaiah said. Owen got up. "Let’s go." Adam, DS, and Oskar followed. "Bye, Eleanor! We'll be back in a bit!" Isaiah said. Eleanor waved as the boys left.
After a bit, they finally arrived at Applebee's. "Alright boys, welcome to Applebee's. You know what I love about this place? The culture. I usually have a burger, but sometimes I switch it up. First meal, you’re in Asia; next meal, you’re in Greece!" Adam said.

"Beep bap bo!" DS chimed in. "Exactly, I feel like I need a passport to eat here!" Adam laughed. "So what do you recommend?" Isaiah asked. "What do I recommend? Isaiah, this is Applebee's. I recommend all of it! Wait, you're from New York, right?" Adam asked. "Yeah. Why?" Isaiah asked. "Brooklyn or Queens?" Adam asked. "Manhattan," Isaiah said. "Did you not go to Applebee's before?" Adam asked. "No, not really," Isaiah said. "Well, that's fine. You’re gonna love it," Adam assured him.

After a bit, the waitress came over. Adam’s heart sank. It was Mary Lou Maloney, a familiar face to him but not to the others. "Hello, welcome to Applebee's. My name is Mary, and I'll be your server tonight," Mary Lou said.

"Beep!" DS said."Y-Yeah..." Adam stammered, clearly unsettled. Mary Lou focused on Adam. "How about we start with you, handsome?" she asked, getting close and rubbing his hair. "What would you like to drink?" "Uh, I would like a..." Adam began to say. "You want a lemonade, right?" Mary Lou suggested. "Y-Yeah, that works," Adam said, visibly uneasy. Oskar looked at Adam, puzzled by his behavior. "I’ll have water," Oskar said. "I’ll have a Pepsi," Isaiah added. "Beep bo bap!" DS said. "He said he’ll have a Coke," Adam translated. "I'll take a water too," Owen said.

Mary Lou smiled and walked away. Adam faced the ground, holding his head. "Adam, are you okay? You acted strange when the waitress came," Oskar observed. "No, no, I’m fine. Just a bit hungry, that’s all," Adam lied, unconvincingly. "Who was that? You acted like she was your mom. Oh my god, was that your mom?" Owen asked. "What? No, that's not my mom. Look at me," Adam said. "Beep bap bo, skidoo bap?" DS asked. "No, not my ex or girlfriend..." Adam said. "Then who is it?" Isaiah asked. "Well, she's... a friend of mine. Yeah, a friend. I forgot she worked here," Adam said.

Mary Lou returned with their drinks, still grinning. "I have your drinks, boys. Now, may I take your orders?" "Yeah, that would be nice," Isaiah said. Mary Lou turned towards Adam. "Hey!" she said. "...Yeah?" Adam replied. "You want a classic bacon burger, right? Well done, fries seasoned?" Mary Lou asked. Adam’s heart dropped. "Y-Yeah..." "I’ll have a chicken sandwich," Isaiah said. "How do you want that cooked?" Mary Lou asked. "Crispy," Isaiah replied. "I’m not hungry, thanks," Oskar said. "I’m not hungry either," Owen added. Owen and Oskar exchanged glances, both thinking, "What's your excuse?" "Beep bo bap do bop!" DS said. "Alright, I’ll be back in a bit!" Mary Lou said, leaving with a tune. "Not your girlfriend, eh?" DS teased. "Why are you speaking English now?" Isaiah asked.
Meanwhile, Eleanor knocked on Esther’s door, but there was no answer. "Hello?" Eleanor called, knocking again. "Go away, Adam, or I’ll stab you," Esther threatened from inside. "But... I’m not Adam," Eleanor said. Esther opened the door and looked up at Eleanor. "Who are you?" "My name is Eleanor. You’re Adam’s little sister, right?" Eleanor asked. Esther groaned and tried to close the door, but Eleanor held it open. "Hey, what are you—" Esther began to say, but Eleanor's grip was strong. The door cracked as Eleanor instinctively burst it open, then sprinted off. "What the fu—"

Back at Applebee's, Mary Lou brought the food over, still grinning. "Enjoy your food!" she said, passing it around before leaving. "Damn BF, those nachos look tasty," Adam said. BF nodded, taking a bite and giving a thumbs up. Owen and Oskar’s stomachs growled. "You sure you aren't hungry? It’s not too late to order something," Adam offered. "I'm fine," Oskar said. "Yeah, me too," Owen agreed.

After around 20 minutes of eating, the food was done. "Wow, that burger was delicious," Adam said. "Beep…." DS said. "Yeah, it was," Isaiah said. Mary Lou came back. "I hope you enjoyed your food, now who's paying?" Mary Lou asked. Everyone looked at each other. "Uh, can you give us a second?" Adam asked. She nodded and left.

"Alright, I'm fine with paying if I need to but are there any takers?" Adam asked.
"...This might work," Oskar said. He pulled out Swedish cash from his pocket. "...Oskar, that's Swedish currency. I don't think that's gonna work." Adam said. "Oh…" Oskar said. "Wait, Oskar, are you Swedish?" Isaiah asked. "Yeah, Eli too," Oskar said. "Huh, I mean I can kind of hear it in your voice," Adam said.

Mary Lou came back and leaned close behind Adam. "You know, if you can't pay, if you come in the back with me Handsome, I'll let you off free…." Mary Lou said. Adam turned red as everyone turned towards him, dazed, surprised, and confused. “Uh..Uh..” Adam begins to say, dazed and confused. “Think about it handsome. I'll be back in a bit..” Mary Lou said, kissing him on the cheek. She walked away, humming to herself. Everyone just stared at Adam. “Did…Did she just…?” Oskar began to say. “I think…?” Owen began to say. Isaiah just stared at the ground.
“Bro, I think the waitress just offered to let us go free if-” DS-Boyfriend began to say, but Adam cut him off. “Boyfriend for everyone's safety DON'T finish that sentence,” Adam said. “...Are…Are you going to say something about what just happened….?” Isaiah asked. “I would rather not…” Adam said. Everyone just stared at each other. “You know what? I'll pay. That way we can simply move on.” DS said. “Really?” Owen asked. “Dude, when a waitress offers to bang your best friend to get out of a restaurant without paying, that's when you know you gotta get the f**k out of dodge,” DS said. “Hey, nice reference,” Isaiah said. “Thanks,” replied. “How can you afford to pay?” Owen asked.

“My parents are CEOS of big companies, that's how,” DS-Boyfriend said.
“Hey Adam, can you get the waitress?” DS-Boyfriend asked. “...Why me?” Adam asked. DS-Boyfriend gave a sh*t-eating grin. “Oh you gotta be kidding me,” Adam said agitated. “Hey, don’t look at me, she’s the one into you,” DS said. Adam rolled his eyes and got up, but when he turned around, he bumped into Mary Lou, who was walking back to the table. “Oh hey! Taking my offer?” Mary Lou asked. Before anything could happen DS stepped in. “Actually he was going to get you so we can get the hell outta here,” DS said. Mary Lou looked down before nodding her head. “Alright, we can have some fun another time then.” Mary Lou suggested. Adam turned red again as DS got up from his seat and handed Adam the Money. “Here you go,” Adam said. Mary took it and smiled. “Alright, you can go! Have fun boys!” Mary Lou said with a creepy smile. The others got up from their chairs and quickly left through the door. But before Adam could Leave, Mary Lou grabbed his arm. “...This was nice. Can we do this again sometime?” She asked. Adam shrugged. “I guess so,” Adam said. Mary Lou smiled. She took off Adam’s hat and rubbed his hair. “... It's a date then, see you later…alligator.” Mary Lou said. “YO ADAM, WHAT’S THE HOLD-UP, COME ON!” DS yelled. Adam turned and left through the door.

Eleanor was sitting outside on the steps in the backyard, thinking to herself about what transpired. She didn’t know what came over herself, she didn’t even mean to get so aggressive. She was about to just get up and go take a walk down the road when she noticed a toy Rabbit sitting near the gate. It wasn’t there before. It was grey, and one of its eyelids was drooped down. It had a red vest and a blue bowtie and its eyes were purple. “Where did you come from?” Eleanor asked. The toy roared to life. “R-R-R-Ready to Rocket!” the toy belted. Eleanor gasped out of surprise and dropped the toy, causing it to stutter on one line. “Bon is here- Bon is here- Bon is here- Bon is here- Bon is-” But then the rabbit stopped, its eye slowly turning to look at something in front of it. “H-H-Hi Bon!” Eleanor looked up and saw him. A large 7 ft rabbit animatronic stood in front of the gate, but he looked…damaged. The rabbit had a white latex mask, with a cigar in his mouth and its eyes glowed a bit white as it stood there.He wore a red bowtie connected to a dickie. The torso had a large hole in it, and it was…slightly lined with blood. His vest was tattered and damaged. It had a bunch of holes in it. He had a name tag on his vest “HELLO! MY NAME IS BON.” But it was slightly ripped. His lower arms were exposed with an endoskeleton, but the fingers looked like claws. His lower legs were exposed with an endoskeleton as well. Bon wasn’t looking at her at first before his eyes slowly tilted towards her. The rabbit slowly moved its head, a creaking sound coming from it. The mouth opened, and at first, nothing came out, but then it spoke. “M-My. Name. Is. BON.” The rabbit went to walk towards Eleanor when Esther opened the side door. “Hey. Knew I’d find you out here.” Esther mentioned. Eleanor looked back, but Bon was gone. It was as if..it were an illusion. She looked down and the toy rabbit was gone as well. “Oh, hey,” Eleanor said, trying to sound as normal as she could, albeit possibly hallucinating. Esther sat next to her. “Listen, I don’t know what that was back there, but I’m not going to lie, it was kind of cool,” Esther admitted. Eleanor smiled. “My name is Eleanor, what’s yours?” Eleanor asked. “Esther,” Esther replied. It seemed like she would continue the sentence, but she left it hanging. Eleanor smiled before she asked something, following up on something she heard earlier. “...Hey, can I ask you something?” Eleanor asked. Esther nodded. “...Why do you hate your brother?” Eleanor asked. Esther frowned a bit. “It’s…not that hate him. I’ve been in other homes before this one and most of the time my brothers were…assholes.” Esther explained. “And…is Adam one?” Eleanor asked. Esther sighed. “No...Not really, he’s been nothing but nice but..I just don’t believe it. Like how could someone just be so nice? I haven’t even seen him snap in anger yet. I know it's bound to happen eventually but still.” Esther admitted. Eleanor shrugged. “Guess I understand,” Eleanor whispered. Esther got up. “Well, it was nice meeting you, I’m going to go back into my room ok?” Esther asked. Eleanor gave a thumbs-up as Esther left.

“Right so, where is the arcade?” Oskar asked. DS looked at his phone. “Uh, somewhere around…Here!” DS shouted, pointing at a building. The Building was red, with white glowing neon lights. The arcade was called “THE NEON ARCADE!” “Dude this place looks awesome,” Adam stated. “Where did you find this place?” Owen asked. “I came here with my girlfriend once, gots a sick amount of arcade machines,” DS stated. “Well what are we waiting for, Let's go have some fun!” Isaiah shouted.

The gentlemen walked into the arcade, it was literally what you expected, mostly just an arcade, but there was a play zone, food court, and…a bowling rink! Yeah, that should be about it. “Dude this looks straight out of the 80s!” Oskar shouted. “How would you know? It’s not like you were FROM the 80s!” Adam replied jokingly. Oskar just stared at him, his face serious. “...Calm down! It was a joke!” Adam said, putting his hands up. Oskar made a sigh of relief. “Good, I thought I’d need to kill ya,” Oskar said, joking back. Owen stared at Oskar, his eyes wide with fear. Oskar looked at Owen, seeing the fear in his eyes. “...What?” Oskar asked. Owen didn’t respond, as if remembering…bad times. “Owen…Owen!” Adam shouted. Owen snapped out of his trance. “Oh, sorry...Just thinking of something.” Owen admitted. “Your girlfriend?” DS chuckled. "Something like that," Owen muttered, wanting to change the subject. Adam glanced at him, concerned but deciding to let it go."Alright, let's split up and see who can get the highest score on any game!" Adam suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "Winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the night." DS chuckled. “Bet I can get the highest score,” DS spoke cockily. “You sure about that?” Owen asked. DS looked up at Owen Smugly. “Wanna bet?” DS asked. “No, I just don’t wanna see you lose it.” Owen replied. “BET.” DS stated.

The boys went to different games as the hunt was On. Adam saw this cool game called “Death by AI”, while Oskar played a game called “Ring Out”, while DS and Isaiah played Air Hockey. Owen on the other hand, didn’t exactly know what he should play. Sure, there was Miss Pacman, but he didn’t feel like playing that without Abby. That’s when he noticed a game just..sitting there in the corner. It was an arcade game from King of the Jungle Cafe. But that closed a long time ago. How did it make its way here? The game was called “ZOO ESCAPE”. It was about King Louie and his animal friends being sent to a zoo and they needed to escape. Owen looked around. No one was watching him. Why not give the old game a go? Owen walked over and placed a token in. The game rocketed to life, the familiar jingle playing out. It put a smile on his face. And so, he began to play. Despite how old the game was, it was still fun to play. He was playing for a while when he sensed someone was watching him. He at first thought it was Adam, but he realized it wasn’t. It felt off. He paused the game and saw someone leaning against the arcade machine. It was a boy. He was wearing a black teeshirt with white stripes. It had the earth on it. He had a purple and blue bracelet on one of his arms. He wore tan pants with white shoes. His brown hair went slightly over his eyes. From his face, Owen could tell he had braces and freckles. “Enjoying the game, huh?” The boy asked. Owen nodded. “Yeah, it's fun, I used to play this all the time,” Owen admitted. The boy chuckled. “I used to love playing this thing.” The boy agreed. “..I’m Owen, what's your name?” Owen asked. “Ronny, nice to meet you. ..Though, I swear we met before.” Ronny pondered. “What do you mean?” Owen asked, tilting his head. Ronny shrugged. “Nevermind, it's nothing,” Ronny said. Owen wa about to respond when he heard Adam shouting from the other end of the room. “OWEN, WE’RE ABOUT TO HEAD OUT, YOU READY TO GO?” Adam cried. “Yeah, Coming!” Owen shouted back. Owen looked back, but Ronny was gone. He looked around, but couldn’t see any trace of him.

Adam and the others gathered near the entrance, their faces glowing with excitement from the night's activities. "So, who got the highest score?" Isaiah asked, smirking as he pointed at the air hockey table, where he had just narrowly defeated DS. “AI had nothing on me,” Adam replied. Oskar chuckled, shaking his head. "Ring Out was a blast. I reached level 15, but I think you might've beaten me, Adam." "Did anyone check the scores for Owen?" Isaiah asked, looking around.
Owen shrugged, a small smile on his face. "I was just playing an old favorite, 'Zoo Escape'. Didn't check my score." "Old games for old souls," DS joked, giving Owen a friendly nudge. Owen glared at him but shook it off. "Alright, boys, let's tally up and declare a winner."

The group walked to the main score screen near the entrance. After some friendly banter and a quick check, Adam emerged as the victor with his impressive score on "Death by AI". "Bragging rights secured," Adam announced, striking a triumphant pose. "Now, what's next on the agenda?" DS pulled out his phone to check the time. "It's getting late. Maybe we should start heading back." Adam yawned. “Yeah, I agree, come on gentlemen,” Adam commanded.

The group began their walk back to Adam's house. The air was cool and refreshing, a welcome change from the bustling, neon-lit arcade.
"So, what was up with that waitress at Applebee's?" Isaiah asked, breaking the silence. "She seemed...intense." Adam stopped walking and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly still embarrassed. "Yeah, Mary Lou's...interesting. I guess she likes to mess with me." "Mess with you? Dude, she was all over you," Oskar pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "You sure there's nothing more to that story?" Adam sighed. “Look, I don’t really know, I guess she’s just…like that. I have no idea what’s going on in her head. I guess she just has a unique way of interacting with people she likes.” Adam suggested. Owen looked around. “My house is nearby here, I’m gonna head out,” Owen said. “Right, see ya man.” DS waved. Owen waved goodbye as he separated from the group. “Actually, looking around now, I think my place is around here too. I’ll see you guys later ok?” Oskar said. “Alright, see you later man,” Isaiah replied. Oskar walked away, now it was just DS, Isaiah, and Adam here. “You know what? This was fun.” DS Remarked. “Yeah, it was,” Adam responded, a bit tired. “Just a question, why did you start speaking English out of nowhere?” Isaiah asked. “...Eh, I just felt like it.”

It took them a bit, but the trio got back to Adam’s house. “Welp, that was fun boys but I’m gonna head home, see yall later!” DS shouted. Adam waved goodbye as DS walked away. “Don’t know about you, but I’m tired,” Adam said. “Same, goodnight Adam!” Isaiah replied. Adam waved as they walked into the house, Adam walked into his room, as Isaiah walked downstairs.

Isaiah got back into the apartment downstairs and closed the door behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief. Unsure why he did that. “Isaiah.” A voice called “S**t!” Isaiah yelled out of fear. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” The voice responded. Isaiah focused his eyes and noticed two eyes staring at him from the darkness, but he recognized the voice. “It's ok Mom,” Isaiah replied. “Where did you go?” Naiomi asked. “I went with Adam and some of his friends on a boy's night out. Where’s Eleanor?” Isaiah asked. “In her room waiting for you,” Naiomi responded. “Thanks,” Isaiah replied. He was about to walk into the room when his mother stopped him. “...That Adam…is he any good?” Naiomi asked. “What do you mean?” Isaiah asked. “Is he treating you right?” Naiomi asked. “Yeah, if anything he’s like a brother,” Isaiah stated. Naiomi stared before nodding. “Alright, good. Goodnight Isaiah.” Naiomi said, with a deadpan voice. “Good Night Mom,” Isaiah responded. He entered the room as Naiomi looked at the door upstairs. But she decided against going up there, she’d need an invitation after all.

Hey Cortney,

 First off I love your channel. I always watch your videos before bed as they help me relax. I know, I know, what psychopath can relax after some of the stories you read? It’s not really the story itself, it’s more like your voice is calming. Anyway onto my story. I have had many paranormal experiences, since childhood. I am an empath and I’m very sensitive to the living and the dead. Sometimes to things that were never human as well. However, this experience almost made me shit my pants. I was watching paranormal YouTube videos, as well as a few from your channel. I had seen a few where the kids call their mom “mother” instead of the usual “momma” or “mommy”. Usually because it’s not actually the child that’s speaking. As my eyes began to have trouble staying open, I turned off my phone and started to drift off the sleep. I heard my bedroom door open just before I knocked out. Figuring it was one of my 3 children, I huffed and asked what they needed. I heard my youngest son, 5, say “momma I don’t feel good.” I asked what was wrong, still struggling to stay awake. That is until he said “Mother, Mimi is going to die tonight.” In a voice that sounded like him and a grown man were talking in sync. I shot bolt upright in my bed and turned to look at my son. This thing was not him. It was the same size and shape but completely black and featureless. Kind of like his shadow would look if it could stand up off the floor. It giggled and ran out of my room back to the room he shares with his older brother. I stared at my open bedroom door, frozen. I knew I couldn’t just sit there, and hell if I was going to sleep. I got up, walked down the hall and opened their bedroom door. They were both passed out, mouths open, obviously in a deep sleep. The shadow creature had disappeared. I went back to my bedroom, grabbed my phone and called my mom (their Mimi). I had to call 3 times before she picked up. Understandable at 3:45 am. She sounded like she had been in a deep sleep also. I told her I was sorry I woke her up, then explained what had just happened. She said “unless a full bladder is going to kill me, I am fine.” I said ok and told her goodnight and sorry again that I woke her up. She said it was fine, she was going to the bathroom then back to bed. I felt a little better knowing my mom was ok, but still uneasy about the shadow child demon thing that had just impersonated my son. However, once I calmed down, I realized I was too tired to stay awake. No matter how creeped out I was. I was trying to get comfortable when my phone started ringing, making my heart almost leap out of my throat. It was my mom, panicking I picked up. I asked her what happened, was everything ok. She told me to calm down, everything was fine. She called me to tell me that as she walked to the bathroom, she smelled something funny. Turns out her gas stove had been left on. She said her and her boyfriend had been out late. They hadn’t gotten home till close to 2am. She made him some food, took a shower and laid down. Due to her being so tired, the stove must have not been turned all the way off. Even though the flame had died, the gas itself was still running for almost 2 hours. She said if I hadn’t called, they may have passed in their sleep due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Or even worse. Her boyfriend always smokes a cigarette in the morning before work, while he has his coffee. The whole trailer could’ve exploded with them inside. I don’t know why or how, but I think a demon/shadow creature saved my mom’s life. I just wish it didn’t have to use my son and scare the living crap out of me to do it. Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed. I have a lot more stories I can post if you want to read them. 

I've recently gotten my heart broken by this girl, the one I call the love of my life. I've always been a passive redditor but I can't handle my feelings and decided to give it a chance a write this off and see what people think, it migth help?
For the last 8 years I've been in love with one of my sister's best friends.
For context: I've known this girl for about 20 years, let's call her Sophia. My little sister always teased me that Sophia had a crush on me, beck then I was 12 years old and I was not interested in a 8 year old girl. We grow up in Latin America in a country were is not taboo to date someone underage as long as the age gap is not crazy. Furthermore our relationship never became physical until we were both of age.
Fast forward 8 years later and I'm picking up my sister from school and I see her all grown up. She had drown into a beautiful young woman. I was dating my first girlfriend at the moment so I never considered anything to happen.
One day Sophia comes to my hose to "study" with my sister. The reality was that she used the excuse to meet up with her ex that wanted to ask for another opportunity. I drove her to the place were they meet and after their argument. She didn't want to be with him anymore and he was just pleading and saying he had changed etc. After this, she and I spent the rest of the day together. I had some errands to run and she accompanied me. That was the very first time we really talked. We talked about life, relationships, guys, girls,etc. We found we were really similar in a lot of things and personality wise. At the end of the day we were waiting for her parents to pick her up. She put her head in my shoulder and my heart started pumping. Nothing happened, maybe she wanted me to kiss her, but I was still with my ex and was just too new to dating to not freeze.
A couple of weeks later me and my ex had splitted due to me finding out she had being cheating in my for months. That's a story for another day.
My family got the opportunity to move to the US and we decided to go. During our last month in our home country we had many goodbye parties. In one of those a large group of friends visited to watch a movie. I was seating in the floor with my head tilted agains the sofa and Sophia was behind me. She started striking my hair without anyone noticing it. That nigth I walked her down of our apartment and we finally kissed. That was the real beginning of my forever crush on her.
Back then I had only had one girlfriend, knew nothing of dating and I was now in a new overly sexualized country. I had the time to explore new relationships and learn. Sophia and I never discussed our feelings bcs there was no realistic way for us to date long distance. We never stopped talking though, we never stopped being flirty with each other. I sent her flowers on her birthday and chocolates on valentines. Our lives continued and each dated separedly for a couple years.
My sister and I went back to our home country to visit family and for her friends high school graduation (for us high school graduation is a bigger deal than in the US, prom is a party that goes up to the next day). I helped Sophia with her graduation dress, I helped her choose one and when she bought it, I sent it to her to our home country. When I visited her I wasn't expecting getting into a relationship with her, she was still just a crush and the prospect of a long distance relationship didn't work for us.
I finally saw her at her prom reception, she looked like a Greek goddess with the white dress I had sent her. We took a photo that almost look like a wedding picture, that picture now just hurts my heart. Everything was great, I was expecting to dance all night with her. Then it all crumbled when she introduced me to her boyfriend. The had started dating just a couple of weeks prior to this. My heart broke a little. I spent the rest of the nigth in my hotel room, I couldn't see her with someone else. I couldn't blame her though, I never told her I wanted to spent that nigth with her, and other than being flirty, I had never discussed my feelings. The next day at her graduation ceremony her parents (I've known all her family for years, being friends with our family) invited me to go to lunch with them to celebrate Sophia's graduation. I had to politely decline because her boyfriend was there. They didn't know her daughter and I had history.
I ended up spending that visit to my home country with friends and even rekindle an old flame with another girl I've dated previously. Sophia and I talked only once for her to tell me sorry for not telling me she had a boyfriend, that she thought I didn't care anymore. Again we never stopped texting after this.
A year later she and her family visited us in the US. I was just back from an study abroad program in Europe. Sophia and I ended up studying both architecture. I was on my third year and she was just starting back home. Her parents were interested in me taking her to the same study abroad program as it was architecture oriented and outside students could be part of it. I was amazed of how her parents wanted (and offered to pay for part of my expenses) me to basically take a month long vacation with their dauther in Europe.
One day picked her up in her hotel (she lied and told her parents she was spending the morning with another friend). I took her to est some breakfast at IHOP. We talked again about us, she told me that she and that boyfriend had broken up. We basically catched up on each other. When we were at the car, the tension was such that it could be cut with a knives. We kissed again, the flame was still there.
During that trip we went out, went to the beach, to the malls, hanging up, clubs, etc. It was the closest thing to dating we had ever had. One day she asked me to pick her up to her friends place, she was drunk and couldn't get to her parents that way, I took her to McDonald's and bought her chicken nuggets. It was about 2 am. She started crying, she told me she didn't understand why I was so good to her, how I was the only good guy in her life that cared for her really. I stayed with her until she sobered up and left her at her parents, she kissed me goodnight kindly.
On her last 2 days in the states she stayed at our place (it was a normal sleepover since she and my sister have been friends since 6). They had a girls nigth. I just spent some times with them watching a movie. We hold hands under the sheets.
That nigth around 3 am she sneaked into my bedroom and we proceeded to have one of those nights you can only dream about, one of those nights that cements themselves in your brain. I can recall every damn second, her smell, how her skin felt under my fingers. The taste of her lips and the sound of her voice trying not to be too loud.
She and her family left the US after that. We kept texting, this time not only flirty, but actually lovingly. unfortunately little by little she stopped replying, then stopped texting first. A couple of days later she went back to her ex and again broke my heart. I felt betrayed, I felt used. I thought that finally we migth had a chance at something but she decided otherwise.
I was really hurting and out of petty, I overtalcked at a house party my sister had with some friends from our country. Basically a "never have I ever been with my sisters friend". Everyone knew we had history but never confirmed it. One of the girls at the party started the rumor that Sophia and I Have had sex. Weather it was true, or hometown learned of this and it even reached her boyfriend. I only knew of this when she confronted me about it almost a year later. She was furious, I was so angry at myself thinking I had screwed it over for real.
Years passed and I had little by little let go of her. We only talked sporadically, wishing happy birthday and stuff like that.
4 years passed and we finally started talking again. She was living in Spain doing an MBA and she wanted to catch up. We talked for hours like nothing ever happened, she told me how her life had changed, experiences she had. I was amazed how our lives had mirrored, similar life decisions, similar trauma. I honestly think we are soul mates. I confessed that I always wanted to have a relationship with her. She told me that I was the one that got away (or something similar, it doesn't translates to English).
Since I was in a relationship and she was still adamant to having a long distance relationship, we just said godbye for now. To each of us to live our lives happily and if one day our paths crossed, it migth just be destiny.
We didn't talk much until valentines day of this year (2024). She texted me asking if there was a song thst reminded me of her. We exchanged songs and kept talking. Just like always, like we never stopped caring for each other. A couple of weeks later I sent her yellow flowers ( it's a thing back home to send yellow flowers at the end of May to the girl you love). She really like them but I noticed she didn't put it on Instagram or anything, again a secret. She had always kept me a secret from her parents and from her sister. She told me that even though she loved the flowers, she didn't wanted me to be hurt by her not loving me like I loved her.
We kept texting a flirting for weeks and she randomly sent me a message with a ticket to Miami (where I live). If you don't have feeling for me, WHY WOULD YOU SENT ME THAT?. She was coming to visit some friends. We planned a road trip to Orlando and to go to Disney with her friends.
The 2 months we planned stuff, places to go, stuff to do. I made a plan to confess all my bottled feelings for her, wrote her a 4 page love letter that I sealed in an emvelop with my own wax seal (I'm theatrical like that). But in social media I started seeing signs thst she migth be dating someone... Nothing official even now. I had my suspicions but wanted to see where things were going.
I picked her up in the airport, she was as beautiful as ever, we went to a restaurant and ate and talked until 3am. Not a mention of a boyfriend. Back when we arrived at my family's house (I moved back to my parents after covid, I'm moving back out on August) we kept talking in my bedroom for hours, almost until the sun came up. We were al must cheek to cheek, nose touching. I went for the kiss but she stopped me. She told me she couldn't. I told her that I knew she might had someone but I didn't know how serious it was. We ended up cuddling the rest of the nigth.
She left to Orlando on a train and I was supposed to join her in the weekend since I work.
We stayed at a resort with her friend. I stayed at her room in the sofa. No one asked questions. We went to the parks and had a good time. In the middle of disney she got a video call from her parents, she kept me out of their sight and didn't pass me to say hello. Again I was a secret. She told me that she couldn't tell her parents that I was staying with her, that they would thing something else was happening. How could she explain that to her parents?. I was angry. If that was the case how could she explain my presence to her boyfriend back home? Was I a secret for him as well? How can you organize all this and still say you don't have feelings for me? If I'm just a friend and nothing is going on... What's IS going on?
She flew back home a couple of days ago. We haven't talked. I refuse to see her instagram. She published a couple of photos that I FUCKING TOOK of her, for the boyfriend to reply with love and hearts. I'm afraid the boyfriend is also a good guy, with good feelings. It's not his fault what she's doing to me. I'm also afraid that since this actually a good guy, he'll propose and she'll say yes. After all of this I can't imagine her ending up with someone else. I had a panic attack just thinking about that.
I know my mistake this trip was being just a simp for her. I wasn't my self, I let my intrusive thouths to take over me and just be a simp for her. Now I'm tired, heart broken, depressed. Food doesn't taste the same, I don't want to leave my bed. I've had even suicidal thoughts, even though I know deep down I would never actually do it.
Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent.

I am currently visiting family across the country, and this is a recent text chain in it's entirety. Am I being overly insecure, or is it ok that I've been hesitant in multiple cases?
Phone gonna die. So ik youre going to bed, but if you text me for whatever reason, I love you and goodnight❤️
Hey I already told her it was okay because I don't think it would be an issue but for our next girls night E is inviting her two gay friends and we'll probably go camping. Not a lingerie party or anything and they are gay so it's not an issue for me but I just wanted you to know I love you too baby and goodnight!!
Ok, thats kind of a thing. You dont feel uncomfortable at all camping with 2 guy strangers?Alright, well I love you and goodnight!
No because they are her friends and I would assume she trusts them and we'd be in a group and they are gay. And potentially in a relationship with each other I can't remember if she said that or not
Ok baby, I trust you. I love you too! So so so much. Thanks baby❤️
Finally back from the opera. A lot better than the last one Btw, I assume I couldnt come to the camping night?
Nice! She said it was specifically a girls night thing I'm sorry. Although she's not set on camping we may just have another game night sleepover. They also might not even come since this is a future plan and she's invited people before where it didn't work out Also I'm kinda hyperventilating about this so when you wake up can you please send me some reassurance? I would also like to reiterate that this is vague future plans. Kind of panicking and crying I want to call you but I don't want to get you in trouble with your mom I think I'm okay now. I was just hyperventilating thinking about the disagreement we had about Lander and how that made me feel. Also stuff about my parents and having to overexplain myself and my plans to them. I love you, I know you aren't controlling like them, but just like how your brain gets taken over by fear of cheating mine gets taken over by fear of being controlled. I know that's the last thing you would ever do to me but my brain has little ptsd moments and I start to cry and can't breathe. I know you are okay with me hanging out with gay friends of friends but my brain gets confused sometimes and thinks you'll be passive aggressive and controlling like my parents/ex even tho I know that's the last thing you would ever do. I guess I'm just a little more traumatized than I want to admit. I love you, you are an amazing supportive boyfriend and I know this is just my fear talking. I love you❤️ you are genuinely so healthy for me Okay I talked to M and now I'm completely better
Oh baby. Im so so sorry I didnt see any of your texts. I wish I couldve helped Tbh I just woke up from a dream where we broke up so not great either😅 Im so sorry
Awww I'm sorry
Im really doing my best, I really am, but when I get uncomfortable, I dont know when its justified or not, and every partner Ive ever had has pushed back against everything thats ever made me uncomfortable, so I have no frame of reference
It's okay we can have a reassuring phone call I know baby, and I know you are doing your best
How was your talk with M?
It's just hard because I let people walk over me even if I know what I'm doing is right. We both got issues and I know it's going to be okay Good but we didn't really talk about that. I just told her I had a panic attack and she just talked to me about furniture til I felt better
I know itll be ok, I just dont know how to react when im uncomfortable because I will always feel like Im in the wrong no matter what Ok Im really sorry i wasnt there
I understand
Youre not gonna break up with me right?
It just hurts Of course I'm not going to. It's always okay to be uncomfortable, It's just from my perspective you don't trust me to exist in a room with two GAY men and a group of friends which tbh really hurts my feelings. Especially because that means A. Your girlfriend of 1 year somehow convinces two gay men to have sex with her or B. She is sexually assaulted somehow by two GAY men in front of her friends And I know you don't mean it to and you always have a right to be uncomfortable but I would never try to keep you from hanging out alone with your gay girlfriends because that would be wrong on my part even if it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable sometimes. I know it's because people hurt you and they weee awful and I'm sorry but I am not that person.
I understand. Honestly it was mainly the second thing, cause Ive known people whove lied about their sexuality in order to get away with doing what they wanted and idk, I was just worried. And I also wasnt sure why I wouldnt be allowed if it wasnt just a girls thing Im sorry
I can try to get you invited if it means that much
No, its fine I just didnt understand what the difference was
I understand but it just makes me feel like I can't be alone in public or around males of any kind. Especially because my friends are there and these people are their friends and I trust my friends to not have rapist best friends We can talk about it later and I swear I'm not trying to fight you. I just have some hurt feelings from the Lander thing and I don't think I ever worked through them. I love you and we are going to be okay❤️
Ok, Ill ttyl. I love you too
Also don't feel pressured to reply I'm just getting my thoughts out while crying on my break. It just makes me feel like a child. Like when I would go to do normal person things like have sleepovers or drive to a neighboring town and my parents would be like "we trust you we just don't trust other people and you never know what could happen" like I didn't have instincts or was just so stupid that if I was in the presence of a man for 5 seconds I would accidentally have sex with him. It just hurts so much That has more to do with them then you but that's probably why this triggered me so much Especially because I try so so so so so hard to make you comfortable and prove I'm trustworthy
Im sorry. That must be hard I want you to feel trusted and loved, I do I dont know what to do to make it better
It's ok I had a full conversation with M and I feel much better
Im glad she made you feel better
Also one of the new people gave me tissues while I was crying so that's sweet/embarrassing 😆
Im sorry
It'll be ok❤️ We'll be okay❤️ Deal?
Deal❤️

This month marks six months since my ex (25F) and I (29M) broke up. We had been together for a little over a year, until I found out she had been lying to me so her and her friend (34F) who is also in a relationship, could both go out dancing with other men one night.
I have contemplated posting this story for a long time as the situation still weighs heavily on my mind, she never so much as offered a sincere apology to me and even blamed me for her actions in the end.
This is going to be a long post with 6 months worth of trauma and lingering confusion so readers beware.
For anonymity I'll refer to my ex as "Yesica" her friend as "Jezebel" and her friend's boyfriend as "Eduardo".
This all happened around Halloween of last year, one Friday afternoon she had mentioned to me how she had become mysteriously ill at work and her whole body was aching so she couldn't wait to get home. I found this odd because, one, we were set to go to a Latin Halloween dance cruise on a boat in San Francisco together with her friends the next evening which she had been very excited for the whole month so I knew she wouldn't miss it, and two, because she had displayed a questionable pattern of disappearing the previous two Fridays in a row and texting me back the next day at some ridiculous time like 1pm as if nothing ever happened and we hadn't just gone 24 hours without hearing from each other.
I grew suspicious of this pattern because she had just broken up with me after a night out together the month before as I was crying in my car with her for an hour begging her to let go of a grudge she had been holding against me for 2 months and fix our relationship, then the next morning she sent the most pathetic excuse for saying sorry and that it was for no reason other than that she was drunk, to which I replied "I appreciate your apology" but she didn't respond afterwards and we stayed broken up for 3 more days before she finally said "Let’s just move past this, but this is the last time.” as if she wasn’t the one who broke up with me.
With all of the this in mind, I realized this would be the third Friday in a row that something strange was going on, so I decided to go to her apartment and surprise her with soup from her favorite restaurant and flowers to make her feel better in case she really was sick, or to figure out whether she was really there or not, only to find that her car was nowhere to be seen and there wasn't a single light on in her house.
As I was actually on my way to her house from the restaurant nearby, she texted me around 9pm asking what I was up to so I told her I was just relaxing watching TV so as not to ruin the surprise and asked her the same question, which she didn't answer until 11pm saying "Just chilling too" with sunglasses emojis; after I had already gotten there and waited about an hour and a half seeing that her car wasn't there in the off chance she had gone to her friend's house which was also close by so I could bring the soup and flowers there just in case. Since she was obviously not "chilling" at her house, right away I sarcastically asked "Interesting, what does that entail?" which she surprisingly also quickly replied to saying "Well it entails me being in my warm bed watching movies bc it's f*cking cold and I'm sick" with an extra "Lmao" added at the end.
Knowing now that I was in fact being lied to and possibly even cheated on in my relationship, I threw the soup and flowers in the dumpster behind her house and drove home.
After getting back to my apartment, I didn't hear from her for the rest of the night so I just started drinking Tequila. It had occurred to me that her friend Jezebel who I have heard say she believes she is so sneaky and good at hiding things is a bit silly and follows all of the Instagram pages of the clubs they like to go to, so I checked her following and it didn't take me much longer than 5 minutes to find exactly what I was looking for, but the same club we had went to the night her and I broke up a month earlier just so happened to be having a Halloween Fiebre de Cumbia Party in Oakland that evening, and they had posted a story about 10 minutes after midnight of people doing a group dance with a woman that looked very much like my Yesica. She had a very distinctive hairstyle she would always use with her natural dark hair and the bangs and ends dyed blonde so she could roll it up into two blonde buns on the back of her head, and she had been talking all month about how her and her friend were going to dress up as devils for Halloween so I imagined she would probably be wearing red if she went out. Right away as I viewed the story, my eyes were immediately drawn to a woman with the same hairstyle as Yesica that I described wearing a tight red dress dancing in the group and although the video was blurry I was 90% sure that it was her.
Seeing that I was not only being lied to but that she was there at that very moment and imagining what else that night could possibly lead to and what her intentions were honestly broke me, it made me sick to my stomach and I actually ran to the toilet and threw up the tequila I had been drinking after watching the video. I didn't even have to see her dancing with anybody else to feel utterly betrayed, it was just the fact that I had constantly begged her to spend more time with me throughout our entire relationship as I watched her choose literally everybody and everything else over me and now she was also willing to lie to me because she'd rather spend her time with and get attention from complete strangers instead. It was still early enough in the night that I probably would have drove there myself and caused a scene before they closed, but I was already too drunk to drive so I took one last shot of tequila and went to sleep.
The next day, Saturday, she texted me at 11am saying good morning with a bunch of loving emojis, and I didn't say much to her so as not to raise any suspicions that I knew what she was up to the night before on her end, but told her that I hoped she was having a good morning so far and matched her energy by returning the same emojis and asked her what time she wanted me to get there for the boat dance in SF later that night. To that she replied to me at 2pm saying it had been an early morning for her because as a teacher she had "training" for work which was also unusual for a Saturday, but she had just got done with it, with more sunglasses emojis, and knowing what I knew then that she probably left Oakland around 2am and got home to SF no earlier than 3am, I can almost guarantee you she didn't go to any "training" Saturday morning.
She wanted me to get to her house at 6pm that night, and I was still furious, yet playing it cool over text and when I eventually saw her in person later, even when she miraculously didn't appear to be sick at all. I had every intention of confronting her that same evening, I was going to wait until we got on the boat and it had departed the pier so that she had nowhere to go afterwards, where I imagined that her and her friend would probably ask me to take pictures of them in their costumes and ask me show them how they turned out, before showing both of them the screen recording of the Instagram story from the club the night before to their faces as they looked in confusion and I asked her to explain herself.
Inadvertently, Jezebel's boyfriend Eduardo appeared to have started the drama first that night, before we had even boarded the boat we were all going through security and when it came to be Jezebel's turn they thought she was wearing a backpack so they asked her to spin around but it was actually just the strings on the back of her shirt, Eduardo had thought that Jezebel was just trying to show off her rear to them so he said something along the lines of "Why don't you ask him to feel it so he can see if it's real too?" and this turned into a big argument between them that continued onto the boat and had Jezebel going off and crying as Yesica followed her.
I had gone with Eduardo onto the side of the boat where we spoke briefly as it departed the pier. While we were talking, I asked him if he had been with Yesica and Jezebel the night before and if they went out anywhere as if I was just curious if they did anything fun, to which he answered no, but that he knew that Jezebel said that she had been at Yesica's house that night. Meaning that not only would his statement further contradict what Yesica had told me about being sick, as I doubt Jezebel would be there if she actually was, but that Jezebel had also gone out without Eduardo's knowledge and they had both gone together. After this I looked around to make sure that Yesica wasn't anywhere close by before taking out my phone and showing Eduardo the video of Yesica dancing in the club the night before. I told him that she said she was very sick that night and went home right after work, but when I went to her house to bring her flowers and soup her car was gone and nobody was home. Naturally, he thought this was really weird and immediately asked if I could see Jezebel in the video, but as we both looked and she didn't appear to be in that specific video he began to doubt that it was her because he said that if they had gone out then they would always stick together, which I could say based on our history would probably be true, and I honestly wanted to and started to believe him. I told him about what I planned to do that night and that I didn't know what to do anymore because I knew that if I didn't say anything that this behavior would only continue and I wasn't okay with that either, but he had convinced me that unless I had an undeniably clear video of her where you couldn't say it wasn't her, it probably wasn't worth it, and knowing them, they would probably deny it anyway, so I took his advice and decided to save it for another time.
The issue had still not left my mind however, only now I decided to approach it differently. Halloween was coming up on Tuesday of that week and I asked Yesica what she was doing that day, she said she was going to take Jezebel's three kids trick or treating since Jezebel was taking night classes at college after work and couldn't go with them, so I asked if I could join her because I wanted to see her that night in person. We had a fun time taking the kids out together before dropping them off and going back to Yesica's apartment to talk on the couch. We had a normal conversation for about 30 minutes before I started prodding for information. Since Yesica had told me that she was at home sick Friday night, I casually mentioned that Eduardo was asking about where Jezebel was that night as well on Saturday. She didn't immediately answer the question, but you could tell right away that she got defensive as she went from leaning in towards me the entire conversation to leaning back positioning her head upward as she talked to the ceiling uninterrupted for almost 5 minutes about how "Eduardo just likes to say things to start drama and then gaslights everybody to play the victim" to which I kinda just nodded and said "Hmm." The next thing I asked Yesica was if she had been with Jezebel that night directly, still keeping it casual, as I was trying to determine whether she went out on her own that night or with Jezebel which I honestly would have preferred as opposed to the former cause I thought that at least then they probably would have just danced with each other, and so she couldn't backtrack on any of her statements if one of her answers turned out to be contradictory later, to which she answered "Yeah, we hung out for a bit but not for long because I was sick like I said." so she was still not showing any sings of slipping up in her story. An important thing to note is that Jezebel and Eduardo had been constantly arguing in the weeks leading up to this, it seemed as if every time we all went out together one of them got upset with the other, and it had not shown any sign of getting any better at this point. Knowing this, I asked Yesica that if Jezebel had ever been mad at Eduardo and just wanted to go out without him, would she ever tell me about it, and I assured her that she could and I'd never say a word to Eduardo because the only person I was loyal to was her, and to this she became slightly defensive again. She asked "What do you mean, like hypothetically?" so I said yeah, or just in general, and all she could say to answer was "I mean yeah, I always tell you what I'm doing and what I'm up to." as her look grew increasingly concerned. This led me into my final question, where I asked, so if you were at home sick Friday, and Jezebel wasn't with you either, is there any reason why I might find something on the internet that would lead me to believe that you weren't where you said you were that night?
She pretended to act confused, while still looking concerned, and said "Like what?" so I took out my phone and handed it to her with the video from the Instagram story which I had trimmed down and placed on a loop so that it played only the part showing her in it. She stared at the screen silently for about 30 seconds before finally saying "The Cumbia place?" to which I answered yeah, with somebody who looks just like you, with the same exact hairstyle you have right now, wearing a red dress like you did Saturday night too. I still hadn't blatantly accused her at this point, but I calmly asked her as I started to become choked up myself, "Is that you?" She couldn't look me in the face when she answered, but she shook her head left and right as she continued to stare at the phone and nonchalantly said "That isn't me." before handing it back. I hadn't even told her that I had gone to her house yet, which I did next by saying that it wasn't even until after I went to her apartment and saw that her car was gone and there were no lights on in her house the same time she told me she was laying in bed that I found the video so I asked her to explain that to me, and she tried to play it off by saying “You know how bad parking gets here, I had to park far away that time, but I was in my room before going to bed like I said I was and the lights were on in there.” But I can tell you right now that both of these statements were false, as I drove around the entire block and more to make sure that her car wasn’t there specifically so that I didn’t make any false accusations towards her and I didn’t see it parked anywhere, even in places we parked before when we had gotten back very late at night, there were still plenty of spots available. I also had to walk past the back of her house when I took the flowers and soup I had brought for her to the dumpster, and none of the lights nor a flicker from the tv in her room were visible not even 5 minutes after she had said she was laying in bed watching movies either. I didn't even know what to say at this point, and its honestly hard to remember what happened after that because it was such an adrenaline rush at that moment, I could feel my heart pounding, but I remember asking her "Are you sure? Because if it was just that Jezebel was mad at Eduardo like I asked and you tell me I won't be upset." I honestly would have forgiven her right then and there if she had just told the truth to me, but she swore that wasn't it either and again said she wasn't there as she grew increasingly more defensive and said that it was starting to feel like I was accusing her. I tried to reassure her that I wasn't accusing her, I was just asking, which was why I was there with her now, but it only seemed to make her even more mad. She asked "Is that all you came here for? Why didn't you say anything on Saturday?" to which I answered no, I actually enjoyed the time I was able to spend with her that night, and I was planning on saying something on Saturday, but that would have sounded a lot more accusatory so I took a few days to collect my thoughts. She said something along the lines of it wasn't her and she has always been honest with me one last time, and I told her "Okay, if that's what you say to me, I believe you. But just like you have expectations of me in the relationship, I have the same expectations of you, and if I find out later on that you weren't honest with me, I won't tolerate those things either." We both sat in silence for several minutes later as neither of us had anything else to say, I continued to glance over at her in case she said anything else or had a change of heart after what I had just said, but she just concentrated away from me with a blank stare at the floor. I told her I should probably get going now, so I got up as she walked me downstairs to the door and we didn't even exchange goodbye's or hug or kiss, I just stepped outside and left.
I left knowing full well that she had just lied to my face. Despite the video quality being poor in the Instagram story and what Eduardo had said on the boat, as much as I wanted to believe him, I wasn't stupid either. There were far too many inconsistencies for it not to be true, as much as I wish I would have been wrong, there's no one else that looks like her, and I knew that it was her in the video. I just never thought that she would have lied to me. But I also knew that more information would come out eventually, as it's a monthly event at the club and they always post videos from the previous occasion on their Instagram in the lead up to the next date, so all I had to do was wait.
I texted her goodnight after I had gotten home about 45 minutes later, which I didn't expect her to reply to, but she never said good morning or anything else all day Wednesday either. Thursday also passed without hearing anything from her, so I sent a text to her earlier in the evening before she probably would have been asleep saying "Goodnight, I hope you have a great day tomorrow" and she still didn't respond. Friday passed without hearing anything from her, and eventually on Saturday afternoon I reached out and said "It's been 4 days now, will you please talk to me?" and she answered saying "What so you can take your time when you get pissed but I can't take time to think things over?" I knew exactly what she was doing now.
She was pretending to be fake mad to get revenge for a time where I hadn't talked to her for 3 days after a heated argument 2 months earlier, also revolving around her going out to a club with her friend, except this time it was because it was a Friday afternoon and I had texted her at 2pm asking her how her day was going and what she was doing later because I was hoping we might be able to see each other that evening. 5pm rolls around and she responds "good" to me asking how her day went, but doesn't bother saying anything about what she's doing later. I try to call her a short while after as I'm all cleaned up, dressed, and ready to go just in case we were able to see each other that night and she doesn't answer my call. She never answered my calls in fact, even with her apple watch on her wrist, so I know that she always saw them, but that's beside the point. At 10pm she finally tells me that she's going to an all-girls reggaeton event with Jezebel in SF and sends me the information for the event, which isn't even what bothered me, it was the fact that I asked her those two questions at 2pm and she selectively chose to answer one and not the other almost as if she didn't want me to know about it until she was already there or on her way, and maybe it was my fault for assuming we might see each other on a Friday night like couples in a serious relationship typically do and we had consistently been doing, but I felt like an idiot sitting around in my house for 8 hours waiting to get a response to a simple question from her and couldn't even get her to answer or return my call. I was frustrated to say the least, but not mad, so I just let her do her own thing and went to sleep for the night.
The next morning, I told her that I really didn't appreciate her not telling me what her plans were until it was so late in the evening, especially when she had saw my messages and responded to one and not the other, I reiterated to her that I literally wouldn't have cared if she had told me earlier, I would have told her go ahead and have fun, but the fact that she didn't made me think that she feels she needs to hide things from me. I don't know why, but this immediately caused her to blow up. She responded viciously saying that it was because they were last minute plans, but that she doesn't need to ask for my permission to do anything, and that she had no reason to hide anything from me, if anything, if she would have known that I would have been bothered by it she would have never told me about it at all. I was dumbfounded by this response and admittedly went on the offense myself. I clarified to her that at no time have I ever told her that I want her to ask for permission before doing anything, nor did I expect it at any time in the future, I even sent a screenshot of the text I had sent immediately before highlighting the part where I said I literally wouldn't have cared if she had just told me earlier, and then went on to explain that the reason why I asked her what she was doing later was because I wanted to see her that evening, I wasn't just asking her for no reason at all, and I dedicated my weekends entirely to her so I just thought it would have been a common courtesy to tell somebody you're in a relationship with on days you usually spend time together that you may have plans that would mean otherwise.
To which all she said was "Ok."
Ok? Ok, what? Ok, you understand? or Ok, you don't give a f*ck? because I couldn't tell anymore. This drove me completely over the edge. I had never felt so disregarded by any woman I had ever dated in my life. It was like every time I expressed my feelings or concerns to her in the relationship she took it as a personal attack and was completely incapable of constructive communication, and she did this every time. I was honestly ready to just tell her "You know what, this isn't gonna work out anymore" or say something else that would have hurt her feelings. But I did not want to do that. I literally did not have anything good to say to her for 3 days until I had collected my thoughts, so I just didn't say anything at all. But neither did she, and on the third day I had finally calmed myself down and apologized to her saying that I was sorry if what I had first said came off as accusatory. She on the other hand was still enraged so we went back and forth a bit for a few more days as I tried to deescalate the conflict until we eventually settled and went on a trip to Las Vegas the following weekend.
So this is why she ignored me for 4 days after confronting her about lying to go to the club with her friend, and seeing as how everything I had suspected turned out to be true, she had no reason to do this other than to get revenge for the time I didn't talk to her for 3 days when I was actually upset with her.
When she did finally talk to me after the 4th day of purposefully ignoring me, she tripled down on her position, saying "I'm not going to be telling you every single thing that I'm doing or who I am with, or where as if you're my mom/dad. As for your accusations, if you don't trust me that's your issue I can't help you there. At this point in the relationship, I think you should know what kind of person I am and if you don't like it then we can stop this because I am not changing who I am just to make people or you happy." This was the moment I realized that she really just didn't care at all, like even if she didn't hadn't lied to me, which she did, why go out of your way to say such a thing to someone you supposedly say you love. I tried to play it off and sent an agreeable message in appeasement, "I believe your word that is enough. I never asked you to do anything differently and you didn't do anything wrong so I don't see any reason why you would have to change anything about yourself. So long as we're still holding each other accountable to the same values we agreed upon when we established our relationship I don't see any problem here. Like you've always said, just don't do anything you wouldn't want me doing, or that will be the end of that for me too." I was honestly still willing to let the whole thing slide just this one time, even at this point. My relationship with her meant too much to me to let it go over what I still had hoped was just another girl's night out, although the damage to trust built within our relationship had still been done. I was willing to look past it so long as I didn't learn more such as if she had been dancing with another man.
Two weeks passed and everything had returned to normal, she was being nice to me again, we were seeing each other regularly, and we had just spent a few days together over Veteran's day weekend. I continued checking the Instagram page of the club every night as the next event was coming up that Friday. One Wednesday night around 7pm, the club had posted a video to their page, this was a professionally edited video uploaded in high quality this time and not just a story. In this video, I was able to see Yesica perfectly clear. She was facing toward the camera, I could make out all the features of her face, there was no way you couldn't say it wasn't her, and she was with another man. My heart sank immediately. The video must have replayed about 10 times as I watched in disbelief. Jezebel was in the video too, and she was dancing with another man that wasn't Eduardo. I screen recorded the video, trimmed it, zoomed it, enhanced it, and put it on a loop so that it focused on Yesica as I had done before. I saved it to my phone as I contemplated which actions to take next.
This was the red line for me. Yesica had crossed it. To those unfamiliar with Cumbia, it is a form of dancing that could be considered as Latin social dancing such as salsa and bachata. There are group dances, cordial dances, and couple's dances. What she was doing was not the dance where everybody dances in a circle, this was the couple's dance where they had their hands on each other's backs and waists, bodies close together facing each other, and everything. I had been to that same club with Yesica as I mentioned before myself and there is lots of alcohol, flashing lights, and the music is loud. There are some people who might say that Cumbia is an innocent form of dancing and they wouldn't care if their partner danced with another person which I could understand, to each their own, it didn't bother me when Yesica danced with someone else on occasions that I had accompanied her either and it did happen, I didn't like it, but I was unbothered because I was there. But one thing I can tell you about the men who go to such events is that I can guarantee you there is not a single one there that goes just because they like to dance Cumbia, and it is not a situation I would be comfortable with my significant other placing themselves in alone, especially in an environment like that. I know for a fact that Yesica would not have been okay with it if I had done the same to her because we explicitly stated during a conversation at the beginning of our relationship establishing our boundaries and expectations that we didn't want each other alone with someone of the opposite gender while either of us wasn't around, in fact she was the one who said this herself, and she broke those promises that we had made to each other.
And that is the entire principle of this post, contrary to what Yesica and Jezebel would have themselves believe, I didn't come to the decision that I made because she chose to go out dancing one time, I got there based on the fact that she lied to me to do it. She showed me that she was willing to lie to me to do things I wouldn't be okay with behind my back, she was willing to lie to me so she could spend an entire evening with a whole other man, and she was willing to lie to my face when I had asked her for the truth. Knowing what she did the first time that I had confronted her, I didn't have any reason to believe that going to her house and talking about it a second time would end any different. There was no scenario where I imagined her taking accountability for her actions and sincerely apologizing, she had never done it once before, otherwise I probably would have gave her another chance. She always blamed me, every time that I had expressed my concerns to her before she found a way to make it my fault and ended up manipulating me into making me be the one who had to apologize for bringing it up in the first place, and I just couldn't imagine myself doing that one more time, not for this. So I decided to break up with her.
I sent her the video along with a short text "Hey Yesica, I don't want to be in a relationship with you anymore. Say what you want to turn this around on me or make it my fault somehow but I can clearly see that that's you with another man and I don't even care enough to argue about it with you I'm just done. I was honestly hoping to get a ring and propose to you soon but I couldn't imagine myself marrying a woman who makes up stories to go out clubbing behind my back and then lies to my face when I ask about it, you knew exactly what you were doing and I know it wasn't a mistake so this is the result. I'll let you go now so you can continue running around doing whatever you want since that's obviously more valuable to you. Good luck with your life I guess." As the message said delivered, I broke down and began wailing.
This was one of the worst pains I ever had to experience in my life, despite all our differences, I did deeply love her unlike anybody else I had ever loved before, and I was planning on proposing to her only a month later on an international trip to Mexico we had planned together over Christmas. I wanted to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her, and this was the first time I ever had to be the one who had to let go of the person they still loved.
I didn't hear anything from Yesica at all after that. Not a sorry, not an I understand, not a I respect your decision, nothing. But I don't blame her.
As time went by, it was still the only thing that occupied my mind. I knew Yesica wouldn't talk to me, nor should I reach out to her at that time either, but I still had questions I sought answers for, I just wanted to know why. So I decided to reach out to Jezebel. We went back and forth a bit as she blamed me for the break up, saying things could have ended differently if I had just talked to her in person, but I let my emotions get to me instead. She didn't appear to be aware that in reality I had done just that and talked to her in person 2 weeks before while giving her every opportunity and more to tell the truth, as I would have preferred because I would have forgiven her if she had just been honest with me, but she chose to lie. As I told her this and continued to ask for the reasoning behind all of it which she had been refusing to answer all she could say was "I don't know, maybe she was scared of losing you, but again you chose to act out of your emotions, and it was just dancing, so what, I don't know what else you want me to say you acted wrong and now you're talking to me, oh well" I was beginning to lose my patience with Jezebel. But after refuting her claims and pushing a bit more the truth seemed to finally come out, I had mentioned that I had been getting advice from Eduardo on the situation prior to the break up as well as I had shown him the first video that only had Yesica in it and she quickly answered "First of all don't involve Eduardo in this conversation, he didn't know we went, that's another story, my story." So it would seem that my suspicions surrounding the idea that they had gone because she was just mad at Eduardo were true.
This changed my perspective on everything. I did end up sending a long drawn out message to Yesica apologizing for the way which I handled things and explained every reason why I made the decision I did, and that I understood if she had not wanted to reconcile either, but I never heard anything back from her.
It was now late December and had been two weeks since I had spoken to Jezebel last and I had still not heard anything from Yesica. I was now mad at Jezebel as I saw this whole situation being her fault more than anyone else's at this point, I still had more I had to say to her. I messaged her one day saying "Hey what's up Jezebel, hope you're doing good. Quick question, if going out and dancing with other men is no big deal like you say it's not and Eduardo doesn't care, why didn't you just tell him Hey Eduardo I'm gonna go dance with other men tonight, it's no big deal right? Just curious" This pissed her off having her say "OMG really? Please stop trying to blame others for your actions, the issue is not me dancing it's you and your decisions not me" but I was prepared for it so I ripped into her. “I’m not blaming anyone for my actions, yes I take responsibility for what I did. And what I did was hold Yesica responsible for her lying. Because your friend is not the only one who didn't do anything wrong. And all that you've told me from all the messages that you sent me is that you basically think it's okay to lie. Because you have completely failed to acknowledge that fact this whole time. The problem is not my reaction, the problem is your friend’s dishonesty and I'm sure any other self respecting man with a backbone wouldn't tolerate that either. And that is the problem that I have with you, because for whatever reason you wanted to go out I'm sure it was your idea for Yesica to tell me a bullsh*t story that night. And the problem is not that I won't tolerate a liar, the problem is the only person who hasn't taken responsibility for their actions is your friend. She is not the victim in this situation because she did this to herself.” To my surprise it silenced her.
3 hours later, even more to my surprise, I hear from Yesica for the first time since the break up saying “I’m reaching out to you to have some closure and to say sorry for how things came about, l didn't know how to deal with things and it was my fault for lying. You are a good person, you were nice to me and I truly wish you the best and I hope you find the person that deserves you. And please do not bring in anyone else into how the situation ended, we are both responsible and I wish you nothing but the best. I kindly ask to leave things as is I need time to process all this but I truly wish you the best.” Given that I had just been barking at Jezebel and this sorry was not as sincere as I hoped or believed I deserved as it was likely only to get me to leave Jezebel alone, I took it as the best I would probably ever get from her and said “Thank you for finally saying something to me Yesica, I accept your apology and I forgive you for all that has happened. I will respect your wishes to leave Jezebel and Eduardo alone and give you some time and space to yourself. Maybe I'm the one who's naive, but I still love you and hope we can find a way to make it back to each other. I agree that things should be left as they are for the time being and if we were to work things out a serious conversation needs to be had about how we will move forward, but I will leave that up to you to decide if or when that ever happens. You can always reach out to me and I’ll still have your contact saved in my phone, take care”
3 months after the break up in February, I can't help but reach out to Yesica one more time. I still loved her and missed her so much, I just wanted to know why she made the choices she did and sought real closure myself. I sent her a short message asking "Hey Yesica, can we talk?" I'm not upset or looking to debate you, I just want to know some of the reasons behind why you did what you did. Was it just me? Did you just not care anymore? It's the only thing that's been on my mind after all of this time" Sadly, she took up the same position as Jezebel saying “Hi, first of all you are the one who broke up with me. You let your emotions get to you instead of talking about it in person. After that happened, it got me thinking about everything we went through. We both made bad choices that lead to this situation, after you broke up with me it made me reflect on how things fell apart and it got too overwhelming for both us, you were the one who made the last decision and that's where we are now. Instead of trying to figure me out… figure out your thoughts and decisions...” And that's where things been left ever since then, we both have each other blocked on everything.
I personally feel like as though I obviously could have handled things better than I did, but ultimately made the right decision in breaking up regardless of the manner in which I did it, and all of my friends and family have come to an agreement with me, that if she wants to party and act single, she deserves to be single. I just know someone who actually loved me never would have done any of those things she did to me. Even I would never consider doing such a thing to her, I would be completely disgusted with myself. Nor did I ever do anything to her that was even remotely close to this. I was the sweetest person I could be to her and went above and beyond to make her happy because that’s when I was happiest. When she expressed herself I was caring and attentive, and when I expressed myself it was always my fault. But it's just sad because I was her first boyfriend that she had ever had before, so I never would have imagined something like this of a girl like her. I just see that as straight up disloyalty, and would personally even consider it as essentially cheating. But I don’t blame her entirely, I see this as her friend's fault more than anything, I just wish she would have chosen better examples to follow. Despite what all of my friends and family have said towards the contrary, she is still the one who said it was my fault and unfortunately it has been her opinion which has weighed heavily on me the most. Some days I find myself asking if it really was my fault and even find myself believing it. But I wanted to know what Reddit thinks so that's why I am here.
TLDR:
My ex girlfriend lied about being sick one night so she could go out to the club with her friend
I found out about it via an Instagram story and calmly confronted her about it in person a few days later
She lied to my face when I showed her the Instagram story from the club and said that it wasn’t her
She proceeded to not talk to me for 4 days and pretended to be fake mad just to get revenge
When she did finally talk to me, she tripled down on it saying if I didn’t trust her that was my problem, but she’s not changing herself to make me or anybody else happy and if I didn't like it we could just break up
Two weeks later another video from the club gets posted in much higher quality than the story where you can not only clearly see that it is in fact her, but it was her doing a couples dance with another man
I send her the video immediately after its posted and instead of driving an hour to her house to be gaslit, manipulated, or blamed again like she did before and many times in the past, I break up with her over text
3 months later I reach out to my ex for closure trying to get an explanation for her actions and she offers none, saying the break up was my fault because I didn't talk to her in person and communicate when in reality I had done just that 2 weeks prior to breaking up and she chose to lie and play games instead
AITAH?

My (25F) boyfriend (29M) and I have a beautiful 18 months old daughter and we've been together for 4 years. Since my pregnancy things have been going with ups and downs with red flags here and there but I blamed it on hormones or sleep deprivation and the likes. Though lately things have been going really wrong and we're very disconnected from each other. Thanks to therapy I've been able to communicate my needs and feeling more confident in my own shoes and thats really only causing distress in the relationship and I'm noticing more and more things that are not quite right. I already had a feeling things were off but I didn't know what it was so I let it go, turns out I think my SO is manipulating me. Im going to try and explain in bulletpoints as concrete as possible what I'm struggling with:
First of all the gaslighting. There's just, so many occasions where something happened a certain way and he just.. turns it around. He explains stories differently from what the actual truth is. I find myself very often questioning whether I didn't just misremember things, feeling confused and not understanding what he's talking about. Most of the times it ends up with me saying "Oh, if that's what I said then I'm sorry." and then answering like: "Do you get then why I replied this way?". I thought I was going insane most of the time. Until recently I've been very careful with what I say and noticed he lies about it. So I asked a couple of friends that know both of us very well and apparently they had already noticed and it even became a meme in their friendgroup (if someone were to lie they'd say: "Do you need some lessons from -my bf- on how to gaslight?"). I was unaware of this.

• If I calmly state that something he said or did hurts me and I ask him to change something specific (ex. can you put this down there instead of here next time?), there's always a discussion about it. Often he resorts to saying things like: "If I feel hurt cause you're turning on the music too loud, but the music is off, you can't turn off the music.". I told my therapist and a friend this reasoning and they both went like: "That's just not how that works". Though to be fair, he does change what I ask him to change, if it's something small and practical, but only after a huge discussion that usually leaves me crying and sometimes even apologizing.
• He says that I'm doing the wrong thing that in reality, he is doing.

Ex. 1 If I ask him to take accountability for his actions he says that I can't just shift all the blame to him, thereby not taking accountability for my actions.
Ex. 2 He says I can't deal with disagreements, making it so that he tiptoes around me and can't express what he really thinks and feels. So I pay attention to it, to not get upset when there's a disagreement and accept what he has to say with unconditional love. However later on I got asked my opinion on something and I was fully aware I had to be calm and accepting keeping his feedback in mind. Here's how that conversation went:
Me: I don't know if I like Y because of reason X, but I don't know it very well so I could be wrong. BF: *makes confused face* But it isn't X because of -this- and -this- reason. *Changes the way he sits, higher up widening shoulders and breaks off eye contact* Me: I think it because of -this- and -this- reason. BF: *Now getting defensive and snarky, speaking faster and slightly louder* Do you even know what X means? Me: Yeah it's -this-. *Actively trying to stay open and kind*. But it's okay, we can differ from opinions. BF: *Just visibly annoyed* Yeah till a certain point, opinions can be wrong. Me: Are you okay? You look upset, I didnt mean to upset you. BF: I'm NOT upset! *just getting more upset*
I then let it go, thinking I could also just be wrong. A red cup is still a red cup despite my opinion of it being blue. So I explained my opinion to a friend who knows "Y" very well. He agreed with me. So my opinion wasn't very weird after all. He's the one that got annoyed and can't take a difference of opinion but says that I'm the one. Additionally, a different (mutual) friend was present when we got into a discussion when I felt something and he eventually stated: "If anything, IM the one that.." and then got shut down by that friend who said: "..Don't do that, just don't" *shakes head and lets out a slight chuckle*

• He holds different standards and rules for himself than he does with me. When he explains to me that I need to do something a specific way, I try to do that. But then, in a similar situation later on, he does it differently than what he taught me to do. When I point it out that it's happening and ask how it's fair he dismisses it or says we're different people or whatever.
• About those standards and rules, they change continously. Whenever he says to communicate something a specific way and I do it, I still do it wrong. I still get the feedback that I need to do it differently. Except this feedback is different from the one I got last time.
• I got very isolated and my boundries aren't respected. My needs are less important than his. I can barely exit the house to go to friends. I only recently started going out again in the evening to a friend or in the afternoon to get a coffee with someone without our daughter and very often when I make plans and I tell him I'm met with hesitation like: "Oh... O.. Ok." or some sort of guilt tripping like: "But our time together :("/"Im so lonely!". When I want to go to sleep cause I'm tired or I want to do something for myself and he wants my attention I get the same kind of responses. He used to often manage to convince me by again reacting hesitantly or making me feel guilty cause he misses me or just wants to spend time with me. When I stand my ground anyway and communicate my needs/boundries and why I need time for myself or I need to sleep (I'm the only one doing nights with our daughter and she still doesnt sleep well, I also wake up with her in the morning so he can sleep in since he works. I'm a SAHM) later he acts distant or makes up that I "left without saying goodnight" or something like that, even when I did.

There's probably more but.. I have limited time. I do love him and we have a daughter who is so young. Every feedback he gives me I bring to therapy and try to change actively but I don't feel like he's doing the same. We soon have a conversation together with a psychologist, so that he can explain the issues he struggles with in our relationship to which me and my traumas are to blame. I'm scared he turns things around and gives examples of things that didn't happen. When I point the things out I'm afraid I'm gonna look like the gaslighter saying "That didn't happen!".
I really hope we can fix this.. but is it fixable? Is my relationship doomed?
TLDR; My BF gaslights me, crosses boundries and I can't manage to communicate with him. Is there any saving this relationship?

My (25F) boyfriend (29M) and I have a beautiful 18 months old daughter and we've been together for 4 years. Since my pregnancy things have been going with ups and downs with red flags here and there but I blamed it on hormones or sleep deprivation and the likes. Though lately things have been going really wrong and we're very disconnected from each other. Thanks to therapy I've been able to communicate my needs and feeling more confident in my own shoes and thats really only causing distress in the relationship and I'm noticing more and more things that are not quite right. I already had a feeling things were off but I didn't know what it was so I let it go, turns out I think my SO is manipulating me. Im going to try and explain in bulletpoints as concrete as possible what I'm struggling with:
First of all the gaslighting. There's just, so many occasions where something happened a certain way and he just.. turns it around. He explains stories differently from what the actual truth is. I find myself very often questioning whether I didn't just misremember things, feeling confused and not understanding what he's talking about. Most of the times it ends up with me saying "Oh, if that's what I said then I'm sorry." and then answering like: "Do you get then why I replied this way?". I thought I was going insane most of the time. Until recently I've been very careful with what I say and noticed he lies about it. So I asked a couple of friends that know both of us very well and apparently they had already noticed and it even became a meme in their friendgroup (if someone were to lie they'd say: "Do you need some lessons from -my bf- on how to gaslight?"). I was unaware of this.

• If I calmly state that something he said or did hurts me and I ask him to change something specific (ex. can you put this down there instead of here next time?), there's always a discussion about it. Often he resorts to saying things like: "If I feel hurt cause you're turning on the music too loud, but the music is off, you can't turn off the music.". I told my therapist and a friend this reasoning and they both went like: "That's just not how that works". Though to be fair, he does change what I ask him to change, if it's something small and practical, but only after a huge discussion that usually leaves me crying and sometimes even apologizing.
  
• He says that I'm doing the wrong thing that in reality, he is doing.
  

Ex. 1 If I ask him to take accountability for his actions he says that I can't just shift all the blame to him, thereby not taking accountability for my actions.
Ex. 2 He says I can't deal with disagreements, making it so that he tiptoes around me and can't express what he really thinks and feels. So I pay attention to it, to not get upset when there's a disagreement and accept what he has to say with unconditional love. However later on I got asked my opinion on something and I was fully aware I had to be calm and accepting keeping his feedback in mind. Here's how that conversation went:
Me: I don't know if I like Y because of reason X, but I don't know it very well so I could be wrong. BF: *makes confused face* But it isn't X because of -this- and -this- reason. *Changes the way he sits, higher up widening shoulders and breaks off eye contact* Me: I think it because of -this- and -this- reason. BF: *Now getting defensive and snarky, speaking faster and slightly louder* Do you even know what X means? Me: Yeah it's -this-. *Actively trying to stay open and kind*. But it's okay, we can differ from opinions. BF: *Just visibly annoyed* Yeah till a certain point, opinions can be wrong. Me: Are you okay? You look upset, I didnt mean to upset you. BF: I'm NOT upset! *just getting more upset*
I then let it go, thinking I could also just be wrong. A red cup is still a red cup despite my opinion of it being blue. So I explained my opinion to a friend who knows "Y" very well. He agreed with me. So my opinion wasn't very weird after all. He's the one that got annoyed and can't take a difference of opinion but says that I'm the one. Additionally, a different (mutual) friend was present when we got into a discussion when I felt something and he eventually stated: "If anything, IM the one that.." and then got shut down by that friend who said: "..Don't do that, just don't" *shakes head and lets out a slight chuckle*

• He holds different standards and rules for himself than he does with me. When he explains to me that I need to do something a specific way, I try to do that. But then, in a similar situation later on, he does it differently than what he taught me to do. When I point it out that it's happening and ask how it's fair he dismisses it or says we're different people or whatever.
• About those standards and rules, they change continously. Whenever he says to communicate something a specific way and I do it, I still do it wrong. I still get the feedback that I need to do it differently. Except this feedback is different from the one I got last time.
• I got very isolated and my boundries aren't respected. My needs are less important than his. I can barely exit the house to go to friends. I only recently started going out again in the evening to a friend or in the afternoon to get a coffee with someone without our daughter and very often when I make plans and I tell him I'm met with hesitation like: "Oh... O.. Ok." or some sort of guilt tripping like: "But our time together :("/"Im so lonely!". When I want to go to sleep cause I'm tired or I want to do something for myself and he wants my attention I get the same kind of responses. He used to often manage to convince me by again reacting hesitantly or making me feel guilty cause he misses me or just wants to spend time with me. When I stand my ground anyway and communicate my needs/boundries and why I need time for myself or I need to sleep (I'm the only one doing nights with our daughter and she still doesnt sleep well, I also wake up with her in the morning so he can sleep in since he works. I'm a SAHM) later he acts distant or makes up that I "left without saying goodnight" or something like that, even when I did.

There's probably more but.. I have limited time. I do love him and we have a daughter who is so young. Every feedback he gives me I bring to therapy and try to change actively but I don't feel like he's doing the same. We soon have a conversation together with a psychologist, so that he can explain the issues he struggles with in our relationship to which me and my traumas are to blame. I'm scared he turns things around and gives examples of things that didn't happen. When I point the things out I'm afraid I'm gonna look like the gaslighter saying "That didn't happen!".
I really hope we can fix this.. but is it fixable? Is my relationship doomed?

Cheating or talk it out?
I am in a relationship of close to 5 years. 1 month to our anniversary. I am suspecting my girlfriend of possibly having an emotional affair with another guy.
Recently, i see her texting guys very frequently, hanging out with them more often. She is in a dance group so the genre generally has more dudes. She is an attractive lady so perhaps I wouldn't doubt male attraction.
I recently bottled up and argued/spoken with her regarding our future together whether she loves me or she is interested in someone else or no longer feeling happy with me.
3 years ago she had met a sailor during her operation of work, i caught her sending emotional texts and sending personal photos (no nudes just selfies) which I had already called her out for, we talked about it she realised that she loves me a lot and that she was shallow. She admitted and i accepted her apology. No physical intimacy but there were emotional connections for sure. I found this out because she had sudden behavioural change like texting secretively or going online on whatsapp. I could see how long she was online for and last seen etc. We eventually bonded stronger after and we shown more love and affection to one another.
Years gone by and we are going strong until recently this month. She has been a dancer for about 4 years now, exploring various genre and found one that she is very passionate about. She has asked or insisted me to join her in dancing but i had childhood trauma so i am not as comfortable to dance infront of others. I try to but it seems like I am not putting effort or showing no interest.
So recent weeks she had lied about having dinner with group of friends late at night, we talked it out and she knew it was unnecessary. Another time she went drinking with a small group of friends trying to matchmake a friend to this dude in the group, she didn't inform me but there were nothing wrong other than my insecurity of not being informed. I do not control her activities but i just want to know so i can be well aware if i have to respond to emergencies such as harrassments from stranger etc.
We talked it all out and kept communication transparent and better. She does let me know what she does or where she goes. All of these actions show some assurance and effort.
But the past week, i find her being online so frequent and either text me much later or shortly. I assume it could be due to busy work or interacting with friends which i respect. As the days go by it still stays the same, even online late at night past 3am. Id text her normally throughout the day but also i feel jealous or anxious on why she is messaging someone till late night. Sometimes she will say goodnight but then go online anyways. We have been doing this for years since she also needs her space and communication with friends.
Past few days i couldn't take it, i checked her telegram which is what she uses now for most texting. I found out she was talking to one guy a lot. Dance friend as well. I managed to read a lot if not all of the messages, they seem friendly and not flirtatious. I see it half possibly an emotional affair ongoing and half platonic conversation. They text till late night, play games which is fine since she games. But texting a lot while i am waiting for her reply? I know i should be doing my own things and not entirely taking time on just texting one another since we have been together for 5 years.
I am not sure so i got frustrated and emotional. Left her cold and went home for a day. She said she will give me space because i didn't open up about this, and she was giving me time to open up and tell my problems to her. She said she is there for me no matter what it is about.
I personally remember how we used to text in the early dating stage before getting together, and i feel it resembles a little like this? Bullying each other, teasing, talking about random things, to keep the conversation going. That is why i am affected and i find it hard to let it by so easily.
We spoke about it yesterday and cleared the space. She said she loves me and she felt hurt and sad that i left her so cold and not being expressive about my feelings. We talked about boundaries, how i felt about her texting other guy friends a lot, how it looks like to me when she is diverting her attention to them, how our relationship is strong and the love for one another is there no matter how difficult times are. She told me that she loves me and it isn't happiness or excitement that keeps the love going and growing. She told me that guys who are friend-zoned have no chance, so i felt relieved that maybe this whole time she is just interacting with them for the short bursts of period with new friends. She assured me that there's no reason to feel inferior or threatened if they are all being friendzoned.
I felt small sense of peace, but her action doesn't clearly show that. She does reply me whenever she is online talking to the guy. She doesn't know it that i see her online status because her privacy gave me an exclusion on her online activity. While i am a little calmer and less emotional about this at this point, i still had some doubts.
So i checked once again today of her conversation with the guy, the messages seem all so friendly like. She texted me first this morning when she woke up before she replied the guys text after he woke up. It was more messages and interaction between us but i can definitely see that they were talking too since she was online for too long and only replied me after a few minutes. So far it looks platonic as it can be. But she starts sending messages like "are you trying to give me a room tour or location of your place" when the guy sent a photo of a delivery parcel.
Sure it looks like fun and games but could it be she is taking this into an emotional affection between them?
Right now, i've read all her messages with the same guy. There are plans for going to horror nights during halloween together, either for work as scare actors or as the usual ticket holders. She started talking about how she goes to halloween horror nights every year because it is a birthday ritual. Which I've spent like the past 4 ones with her. She said to him if they won't make it past auditions to work, perhaps they can go horror nights. Obviously now i know this it hurts but it could be a friend thing? My gut tells me that she will go with me on one night and with him or bunch of her dance mates on another night. I don't know how to feel about this.
To add context to this conversation tonight, i invited her to my jamming music session, i realise while we are all jamming she occasionally looks at her phone and texts then back to singing and jamming with us. Soon as her phone battery went to 0, she looked like she lost her mood. Had a group dinner together after and she looked tired (she had lack of sleep today so very tired can be understandable).
I only brought this up because after reading all the messages and seeing how her energy dipped after her phone died, i really feel there could be emotions involved now. She usually has no issue with her phone dying.
SHOULD I LEAVE without confirming a single thing if she is cheating? Or do i talk it out and hear her side of things first? Do i address that i saw all her texts? Do i wait a little longer to see if it actually dies down and it stays platonic? I want to make a decision but i am torn. Do i give it more time to see if things aren't what it seems or confirm that it is what i think it is? If i disclose i saw the texts, she would know that i snooped around and still didn't listen to what she had said the past times we cleared the air. She still shows love for me, hugs, kisses, i still touch her intimately and she doesn't throw my hands away like she is in discomfort.
I am emotionally hurt of course, we talked things out a lot so communication is not the hardest part I am willing to ask or tell her things.
Is she trying to keep me until she gets another guy then leave me? Or may i just mistakenly not trusting her? We've built our relationship stronger so it is quite a shock. I know it sucks to lose your love ones to another person but i know i was doing my best to evolve and improve. I just don't know if I am overreacting or my instincts are right.
I usually could help others but when you are in the emotional painful seat, it is hard to think clearly.
I know all of this is long and i want to hear some thoughts from those who stood by this entire story. I appreciate your time.
NOTE: No physical intimacy like sex or heavy petting or kissing or cuddling or sleeping over with a guy while in relationship with me.
She still loves having sex with me and enjoys it pleasantly. (Still gets excited or other words wet for our foreplay and intimate sessions)
ALSO ALL OUR COUPLE AND RELATIONSHIP PHOTOS ARE STILL ON INSTAGRAM. Which the guy definitely clearly sees if he had stalked her. So the guy is either trying going through that or he is waiting for a break up or none at all but i doubt that as a guy myself.
All you loyal boyfriend or girlfriend out there know, if you talk to a girl or guy who has a relationship you respect that boundary. Single guys don't exactly care am i right unless he has moral standards.

I am in a relationship of close to 5 years. 1 month to our anniversary. I am suspecting my girlfriend of possibly having an emotional affair with another guy.
Recently, i see her texting guys very frequently, hanging out with them more often. She is in a dance group so the genre generally has more dudes. She is an attractive lady so perhaps I wouldn't doubt male attraction.
I recently bottled up and argued/spoken with her regarding our future together whether she loves me or she is interested in someone else or no longer feeling happy with me.
3 years ago she had met a sailor during her operation of work, i caught her sending emotional texts and sending personal photos (no nudes just selfies) which I had already called her out for, we talked about it she realised that she loves me a lot and that she was shallow. She admitted and i accepted her apology. No physical intimacy but there were emotional connections for sure. I found this out because she had sudden behavioural change like texting secretively or going online on whatsapp. I could see how long she was online for and last seen etc. We eventually bonded stronger after and we shown more love and affection to one another.
Years gone by and we are going strong until recently this month. She has been a dancer for about 4 years now, exploring various genre and found one that she is very passionate about. She has asked or insisted me to join her in dancing but i had childhood trauma so i am not as comfortable to dance infront of others. I try to but it seems like I am not putting effort or showing no interest.
So recent weeks she had lied about having dinner with group of friends late at night, we talked it out and she knew it was unnecessary. Another time she went drinking with a small group of friends trying to matchmake a friend to this dude in the group, she didn't inform me but there were nothing wrong other than my insecurity of not being informed. I do not control her activities but i just want to know so i can be well aware if i have to respond to emergencies such as harrassments from stranger etc.
We talked it all out and kept communication transparent and better. She does let me know what she does or where she goes. All of these actions show some assurance and effort.
But the past week, i find her being online so frequent and either text me much later or shortly. I assume it could be due to busy work or interacting with friends which i respect. As the days go by it still stays the same, even online late at night past 3am. Id text her normally throughout the day but also i feel jealous or anxious on why she is messaging someone till late night. Sometimes she will say goodnight but then go online anyways. We have been doing this for years since she also needs her space and communication with friends.
Past few days i couldn't take it, i checked her telegram which is what she uses now for most texting. I found out she was talking to one guy a lot. Dance friend as well. I managed to read a lot if not all of the messages, they seem friendly and not flirtatious. I see it half possibly an emotional affair ongoing and half platonic conversation. They text till late night, play games which is fine since she games. But texting a lot while i am waiting for her reply? I know i should be doing my own things and not entirely taking time on just texting one another since we have been together for 5 years.
I am not sure so i got frustrated and emotional. Left her cold and went home for a day. She said she will give me space because i didn't open up about this, and she was giving me time to open up and tell my problems to her. She said she is there for me no matter what it is about.
I personally remember how we used to text in the early dating stage before getting together, and i feel it resembles a little like this? Bullying each other, teasing, talking about random things, to keep the conversation going. That is why i am affected and i find it hard to let it by so easily.
We spoke about it yesterday and cleared the space. She said she loves me and she felt hurt and sad that i left her so cold and not being expressive about my feelings. We talked about boundaries, how i felt about her texting other guy friends a lot, how it looks like to me when she is diverting her attention to them, how our relationship is strong and the love for one another is there no matter how difficult times are. She told me that she loves me and it isn't happiness or excitement that keeps the love going and growing. She told me that guys who are friend-zoned have no chance, so i felt relieved that maybe this whole time she is just interacting with them for the short bursts of period with new friends. She assured me that there's no reason to feel inferior or threatened if they are all being friendzoned.
I felt small sense of peace, but her action doesn't clearly show that. She does reply me whenever she is online talking to the guy. She doesn't know it that i see her online status because her privacy gave me an exclusion on her online activity. While i am a little calmer and less emotional about this at this point, i still had some doubts.
So i checked once again today of her conversation with the guy, the messages seem all so friendly like. She texted me first this morning when she woke up before she replied the guys text after he woke up. It was more messages and interaction between us but i can definitely see that they were talking too since she was online for too long and only replied me after a few minutes. So far it looks platonic as it can be. But she starts sending messages like "are you trying to give me a room tour or location of your place" when the guy sent a photo of a delivery parcel.
Sure it looks like fun and games but could it be she is taking this into an emotional affection between them?
Right now, i've read all her messages with the same guy. There are plans for going to horror nights during halloween together, either for work as scare actors or as the usual ticket holders. She started talking about how she goes to halloween horror nights every year because it is a birthday ritual. Which I've spent like the past 4 ones with her. She said to him if they won't make it past auditions to work, perhaps they can go horror nights. Obviously now i know this it hurts but it could be a friend thing? My gut tells me that she will go with me on one night and with him or bunch of her dance mates on another night. I don't know how to feel about this.
To add context to this conversation tonight, i invited her to my jamming music session, i realise while we are all jamming she occasionally looks at her phone and texts then back to singing and jamming with us. Soon as her phone battery went to 0, she looked like she lost her mood. Had a group dinner together after and she looked tired (she had lack of sleep today so very tired can be understandable).
I only brought this up because after reading all the messages and seeing how her energy dipped after her phone died, i really feel there could be emotions involved now. She usually has no issue with her phone dying.
SHOULD I LEAVE without confirming a single thing if she is cheating? Or do i talk it out and hear her side of things first? Do i address that i saw all her texts? Do i wait a little longer to see if it actually dies down and it stays platonic? I want to make a decision but i am torn. Do i give it more time to see if things aren't what it seems or confirm that it is what i think it is? If i disclose i saw the texts, she would know that i snooped around and still didn't listen to what she had said the past times we cleared the air. She still shows love for me, hugs, kisses, i still touch her intimately and she doesn't throw my hands away like she is in discomfort.
I am emotionally hurt of course, we talked things out a lot so communication is not the hardest part I am willing to ask or tell her things.
Is she trying to keep me until she gets another guy then leave me? Or may i just mistakenly not trusting her? We've built our relationship stronger so it is quite a shock. I know it sucks to lose your love ones to another person but i know i was doing my best to evolve and improve. I just don't know if I am overreacting or my instincts are right.
I usually could help others but when you are in the emotional painful seat, it is hard to think clearly.
I know all of this is long and i want to hear some thoughts from those who stood by this entire story. I appreciate your time.
NOTE: No physical intimacy like sex or heavy petting or kissing or cuddling or sleeping over with a guy while in relationship with me.
She still loves having sex with me and enjoys it pleasantly. (Still gets excited or other words wet for our foreplay and intimate sessions)
ALSO ALL OUR COUPLE AND RELATIONSHIP PHOTOS ARE STILL ON INSTAGRAM. Which the guy definitely clearly sees if he had stalked her. So the guy is either trying going through that or he is waiting for a break up or none at all but i doubt that as a guy myself.
All you loyal boyfriend or girlfriend out there know, if you talk to a girl or guy who has a relationship you respect that boundary. Single guys don't exactly care am i right unless he has moral standards.

Probably a long post, so forgive me. My dad was abusive and we left when I was 9. We still had a relationship, but for the most part, it was just my mom and I. Even as a kid, I always felt she was a little too clingy. Like she always wanted to sleep in the same room and things like that. She is extremely sensitive and takes absolutely everything as a personal attack, so if I said anything about it, she always got upset. Not mad at me upset, just I could tell it hurt her feelings. As I grew older and started wanting to explore different aspects of puberty (PG version), I often found it very difficult to find stress free time alone.
She started drinking very heavily with one of her friends nearly every night after I was old enough to be home alone. She would come home, cook dinner if there were no leftovers, and then leave to go to the bar. She usually wouldn’t come home until well into the morning hours, which meant I was up all night worrying about her, hoping she wasn’t driving, until either she would pull in the driveway, or a stranger would knock on the door to deliver her back home. Often, she was too drunk to do anything independently so I had to help her do everything from using the bathroom to changing into pajamas. Then she would sit on the foot of my bed and talk until I told her I was going to sleep. Then most of the time she would pass out on the foot of my bed. Obviously, as a hormone filled teenage boy, this was extremely frustrating. I was either too stressed to enjoy myself in any way, or I had my mom in my room at all times.
When I was big enough to wear adult sized clothes, we didn’t have enough money to buy new clothes after I outgrew my old ones, so we had to share. It was just generic t-shirts and really was out of necessity at first. But it never stopped. I had about 5 shirts that I could actually say were mine and only mine, that I didn’t have to dig out of my mothers dresser. It went for socks too, which I feel is definitely less weird, but still very strange not even having my own dedicated socks. I didn’t see the problem with this at the time, since this is all I had ever known, but looking back, it really weirds me out.
She got a boyfriend who I like and got along with well, but he refused to move in or further their relationship until I moved out because he didn’t want any issues arising with who was the “man of the house.” He told my mom all the time that she treated me like her boyfriend which I thought was absurd, but again, looking back, he was 100% right.
Due to my staying up worrying about her all night, that meant I spent most of my school day sleeping. My grades suffered greatly because of this. I could still always pass my tests with flying colors, but I never did homework because I was sleeping in school and too stressed to focus on anything other than waiting for a phone call that my mom got arrested or worse for driving drunk. Then she would always get on my case about grades, asking me if there was anything wrong, but of course I couldn’t say anything without her feelings being hurt and it turning into a whole thing. Eventually I ended up going to military school so I could graduate early and just get it over with.
Fast forward to my 20th birthday. I still lived at home and I was working for the city making $11.75 an hour. I had met a girl on Tinder from the next state over and she came for a date kayaking and going to the beach. We hit it off instantly, and the day flew past us. We didn’t get back to the house until around 11 PM and I wasn’t about to tell her to drive back home that late. My mom was still home so I said she would be spending the night and we would sleep on the couch because I knew she wouldn’t let us sleep in my room. My mom was watching TV on the couch and I was hoping she would take that as a hint to go watch it in her bedroom, but no. That night I cuddled with my new prospective girlfriend as my mom snored at our feet. Somehow, I managed to keep her around after that, and she ended up moving to my town about two weeks later. Admittedly, this was moving very very quickly, and I understand why my mom would have been concerned, but when you know you know and I told her to quit telling me that, and that I knew 100% for a fact I was going to marry her. Every single night, she would stay with me, or I would go stay with her. Eventually we decided it wasn’t worth paying rent for somewhere we only slept half the time, and it was mid covid so nothing was open, so she moved in with me.
Normally, I feel like it would be understood that even though it was her house, there is an understood privacy in my own room with my girlfriend. No. Door open policy and she still continued to have her nightly talks on the bed. Obviously my girlfriend wasn’t a huge fan of this, and eventually asked her if we could please have our own private space to just be alone. There were no poor intentions with that ask, she just didn’t want to take care of my drunk mom every night. My mom did not take this well and I got a whole talk about how it’s her house and if we don’t like it we should move out, but then she would ALWAYS discourage me moving out because she would be alone.
One night, I got out of the shower and my girlfriend was on our bed FUMING. I asked what was wrong and she said my mom trapped her in conversation in the bed, and my girlfriend mentioned something about us looking for our own place. My mom apparently responded something along the lines of “good luck, he’s not ready for the real world.” Very shortly after, we moved out. (No issues in the real world)
My girlfriend had a camper, so we moved it to somewhere close by and made that our home. When I broke the news to my mom, it was over text because I knew she would try to talk me out of it in person. Then she got mad at me because I told her over text and said it was a “big deal that deserves more than a text conversation.” As if 21 years old (by this point) isn’t old enough that I should have been on my own long before that point.
After we moved, I got a series of better jobs back to back, started making good money, proposed, got pregnant, had a baby, got married, got pregnant again, got a house, had a baby, and now we are living our own life. She still texts good morning and goodnight and gets upset if I don’t respond to her. I have no problem with daily conversation, but that is something I do with my wife and would like for it to just be my wife. She asks all the time if I’m upset with her because I didn’t text her that day, or if everything is okay, because I haven’t talked to her as much as normal. I work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have time to text my wife all day. Everyone else, including her, is secondary to that.
Any time my wife has any issue with her, it is always taken personally. My wife always runs what she is saying by me to make sure it isn’t rude (its not) and my mom immediately takes it as a personal attack. It always ends up being a big thing and I end up meditating between the two. One time in particular, my mom basically told my wife that she was the most important woman in my life and my wife needed to accept that. Still gives very “I want to be your girlfriend” vibes. I don’t think she totally understands, really at all, that my wife is indeed the most important person in my life, period. That’s why I married her.
That argument started because our son was put in the NICU when he was born. We made a facebook post to update family so we didn’t have to text all 10,000 people asking questions every day. There was a lady (call her Jill) who kept asking questions we felt were far too personal for someone we have never met. My wife asked my mom who she was, and we learned she was an old friend of my grandma, but they don’t keep in touch any more and no one else knew her well. Jill commented on a wedding photo of us with my family, asking who’s side of the family it was. My wife, understandably, responded and said “if you don’t know us well enough to know who’s family it is, it probably isn’t your place to ask.” Keep in mind, this was after weeks of her asking farrrr to personal of questions about our sick baby that we were hoping would make it out alive. My whole family ganged up and jumped down my wife’s throat about it, my mom included. Then, my mom responded to Jill’s comment to answer her question about the family. That was after my wife had specifically asked everyone in the family not to answer her questions, or any others about us.
My wife told my mom that until she could see why she was upset about her very simple request being ignored, that she wasn’t comfortable with her watching our baby. All hell broke loose after that. Fast forward and we are past that whole situation. Her and my wife are on better terms now, as well as the rest of the family. The lasting impression for my wife though, is that she is not allowed to have boundaries without the whole family coming against her.
My wife and I have a fantastic relationship and really just want to be left alone by everyone. I don’t want to talk to anyone, except when it is convenient for me. We would both like to just have a home phone and live somewhere where no one else could find. I believe that having everyone know every little detail of your life is both unhealthy and overwhelming. People lived for forever without the need to be in constant communication with everyone, and I would like to go back to that. I just feel so overwhelmed that I can’t just see everyone once every other week and have people be happy with that. I understand you want to see the baby, but it has only been three days. I promise you aren’t missing anything other than her pooping and sleeping.
I would also like to add that I did not make this to bash my mom. She was a very hard working parent and provided everything she could. There were more than a fair share of good times too, I just really needed to get this off of my chest to someone who doesn’t have a direct relationship with her. Also she doesn’t drink anymore, her boyfriend moved in and they are doing well, and she is in a much better place financially. Just in case someone was going to use those things in a response.
Now my question is, coming from other moms, how can I distance myself? I don’t want to cut contact or anything, but I would prefer only talking a few days a week and not doing the good morning and goodnight, but I truly feel like I can’t say that. She will either get her feelings hurt, or my request just won’t be listened to.

Probably a long post, so forgive me. My dad was abusive and we left when I was 9. We still had a relationship, but for the most part, it was just my mom and I. Even as a kid, I always felt she was a little too clingy. Like she always wanted to sleep in the same room and things like that. She is extremely sensitive and takes absolutely everything as a personal attack, so if I said anything about it, she always got upset. Not mad at me upset, just I could tell it hurt her feelings. As I grew older and started wanting to explore different aspects of puberty (PG version), I often found it very difficult to find stress free time alone.
She started drinking very heavily with one of her friends nearly every night after I was old enough to be home alone. She would come home, cook dinner if there were no leftovers, and then leave to go to the bar. She usually wouldn’t come home until well into the morning hours, which meant I was up all night worrying about her, hoping she wasn’t driving, until either she would pull in the driveway, or a stranger would knock on the door to deliver her back home. Often, she was too drunk to do anything independently so I had to help her do everything from using the bathroom to changing into pajamas. Then she would sit on the foot of my bed and talk until I told her I was going to sleep. Then most of the time she would pass out on the foot of my bed. Obviously, as a hormone filled teenage boy, this was extremely frustrating. I was either too stressed to enjoy myself in any way, or I had my mom in my room at all times.
When I was big enough to wear adult sized clothes, we didn’t have enough money to buy new clothes after I outgrew my old ones, so we had to share. It was just generic t-shirts and really was out of necessity at first. But it never stopped. I had about 5 shirts that I could actually say were mine and only mine, that I didn’t have to dig out of my mothers dresser. It went for socks too, which I feel is definitely less weird, but still very strange not even having my own dedicated socks. I didn’t see the problem with this at the time, since this is all I had ever known, but looking back, it really weirds me out.
She got a boyfriend who I like and got along with well, but he refused to move in or further their relationship until I moved out because he didn’t want any issues arising with who was the “man of the house.” He told my mom all the time that she treated me like her boyfriend which I thought was absurd, but again, looking back, he was 100% right.
Due to my staying up worrying about her all night, that meant I spent most of my school day sleeping. My grades suffered greatly because of this. I could still always pass my tests with flying colors, but I never did homework because I was sleeping in school and too stressed to focus on anything other than waiting for a phone call that my mom got arrested or worse for driving drunk. Then she would always get on my case about grades, asking me if there was anything wrong, but of course I couldn’t say anything without her feelings being hurt and it turning into a whole thing. Eventually I ended up going to military school so I could graduate early and just get it over with.
Fast forward to my 20th birthday. I still lived at home and I was working for the city making $11.75 an hour. I had met a girl on Tinder from the next state over and she came for a date kayaking and going to the beach. We hit it off instantly, and the day flew past us. We didn’t get back to the house until around 11 PM and I wasn’t about to tell her to drive back home that late. My mom was still home so I said she would be spending the night and we would sleep on the couch because I knew she wouldn’t let us sleep in my room. My mom was watching TV on the couch and I was hoping she would take that as a hint to go watch it in her bedroom, but no. That night I cuddled with my new prospective girlfriend as my mom snored at our feet. Somehow, I managed to keep her around after that, and she ended up moving to my town about two weeks later. Admittedly, this was moving very very quickly, and I understand why my mom would have been concerned, but when you know you know and I told her to quit telling me that, and that I knew 100% for a fact I was going to marry her. Every single night, she would stay with me, or I would go stay with her. Eventually we decided it wasn’t worth paying rent for somewhere we only slept half the time, and it was mid covid so nothing was open, so she moved in with me.
Normally, I feel like it would be understood that even though it was her house, there is an understood privacy in my own room with my girlfriend. No. Door open policy and she still continued to have her nightly talks on the bed. Obviously my girlfriend wasn’t a huge fan of this, and eventually asked her if we could please have our own private space to just be alone. There were no poor intentions with that ask, she just didn’t want to take care of my drunk mom every night. My mom did not take this well and I got a whole talk about how it’s her house and if we don’t like it we should move out, but then she would ALWAYS discourage me moving out because she would be alone.
One night, I got out of the shower and my girlfriend was on our bed FUMING. I asked what was wrong and she said my mom trapped her in conversation in the bed, and my girlfriend mentioned something about us looking for our own place. My mom apparently responded something along the lines of “good luck, he’s not ready for the real world.” Very shortly after, we moved out. (No issues in the real world)
My girlfriend had a camper, so we moved it to somewhere close by and made that our home. When I broke the news to my mom, it was over text because I knew she would try to talk me out of it in person. Then she got mad at me because I told her over text and said it was a “big deal that deserves more than a text conversation.” As if 21 years old (by this point) isn’t old enough that I should have been on my own long before that point.
After we moved, I got a series of better jobs back to back, started making good money, proposed, got pregnant, had a baby, got married, got pregnant again, got a house, had a baby, and now we are living our own life. She still texts good morning and goodnight and gets upset if I don’t respond to her. I have no problem with daily conversation, but that is something I do with my wife and would like for it to just be my wife. She asks all the time if I’m upset with her because I didn’t text her that day, or if everything is okay, because I haven’t talked to her as much as normal. I work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have time to text my wife all day. Everyone else, including her, is secondary to that.
Any time my wife has any issue with her, it is always taken personally. My wife always runs what she is saying by me to make sure it isn’t rude (its not) and my mom immediately takes it as a personal attack. It always ends up being a big thing and I end up meditating between the two. One time in particular, my mom basically told my wife that she was the most important woman in my life and my wife needed to accept that. Still gives very “I want to be your girlfriend” vibes. I don’t think she totally understands, really at all, that my wife is indeed the most important person in my life, period. That’s why I married her.
That argument started because our son was put in the NICU when he was born. We made a facebook post to update family so we didn’t have to text all 10,000 people asking questions every day. There was a lady (call her Jill) who kept asking questions we felt were far too personal for someone we have never met. My wife asked my mom who she was, and we learned she was an old friend of my grandma, but they don’t keep in touch any more and no one else knew her well. Jill commented on a wedding photo of us with my family, asking who’s side of the family it was. My wife, understandably, responded and said “if you don’t know us well enough to know who’s family it is, it probably isn’t your place to ask.” Keep in mind, this was after weeks of her asking farrrr to personal of questions about our sick baby that we were hoping would make it out alive. My whole family ganged up and jumped down my wife’s throat about it, my mom included. Then, my mom responded to Jill’s comment to answer her question about the family. That was after my wife had specifically asked everyone in the family not to answer her questions, or any others about us.
My wife told my mom that until she could see why she was upset about her very simple request being ignored, that she wasn’t comfortable with her watching our baby. All hell broke loose after that. Fast forward and we are past that whole situation. Her and my wife are on better terms now, as well as the rest of the family. The lasting impression for my wife though, is that she is not allowed to have boundaries without the whole family coming against her.
My wife and I have a fantastic relationship and really just want to be left alone by everyone. I don’t want to talk to anyone, except when it is convenient for me. We would both like to just have a home phone and live somewhere where no one else could find. I believe that having everyone know every little detail of your life is both unhealthy and overwhelming. People lived for forever without the need to be in constant communication with everyone, and I would like to go back to that. I just feel so overwhelmed that I can’t just see everyone once every other week and have people be happy with that. I understand you want to see the baby, but it has only been three days. I promise you aren’t missing anything other than her pooping and sleeping.
I would also like to add that I did not make this to bash my mom. She was a very hard working parent and provided everything she could. There were more than a fair share of good times too, I just really needed to get this off of my chest to someone who doesn’t have a direct relationship with her. Also she doesn’t drink anymore, her boyfriend moved in and they are doing well, and she is in a much better place financially. Just in case someone was going to use those things in a response.
Now my question is, coming from other moms, how can I distance myself? I don’t want to cut contact or anything, but I would prefer only talking a few days a week and not doing the good morning and goodnight, but I truly feel like I can’t say that. She will either get her feelings hurt, or my request just won’t be listened to.

I dated my wife for 6 months before we were married in April. I know. Super fast. But we were so good together. Her ex bf would visit her at work to bring her coffee and talk. Her coworker who is a friend of mine would always give me the heads up because she would only tell me if she wanted to. She assured me there was nothing going on and that he would pop in unannounced. Christmas Eve of 2023 I went with my kids to my ex wifes house to unwrap gifts from my kids. I told my current wife, gf at the time, that I had went to her house. She became extremely upset and brought it up for weeks. In January I found out she slept with her ex when we were “talking” and I was “courting” her. This was about 2 weeks after we started going out. I was obviously upset because she wasn’t upfront with me about it. She says we were just talking at the time. I understand that, but I would have liked to know she was still seeing her ex so I could have excused myself from the picture.
In March of this year, she told me she was upset by a Facebook post from the ex bf sister. In the post she recognized a comment from ex bf baby mother. When she clicked on baby mommas profile, she saw that she had been back in town for some time and explained the reason for the split. Her ex would go ghost on her for weeks at a time and the breakup left my wife without closure. She called me that day to tell me about her discovery and how and why it upset her.
Flash forward to our wedding day on April 1st. We had a great day and at the end of the night we shared a nice penthouse together for our honeymoon. After many drinks, a long night, and sex in the hot tub, we went to the bedroom where I laid her down to continue our love making. I suddenly noticed she was asleep so kissed her goodnight. During that kiss, she asked “Stop (exbf name) I’m tired.” I couldn’t believe my ears. I was hurt. It’s like I can’t get rid of this guy. As I’m sitting there on my wedding night, next to my new wife who just called me by her ex bf name, I’m going through our whole relationship in my head. It’s all starting to bother me. I look over and see her phone. I pick it up and start to go through it.
Oh My God……….
Instagram DMs, texts, WhatsApp texts, and the fucking call log. She never stopped talking to him. The whole time. Good morning my handsome prince. Did you eat something handsome. How’s your day my love. Etc etc etc. These are the more hurtful takeaways from this discovery. He never came through for her during their relationship. Always absent. Nothing but excuses. In early March she took a trip to California to meet some friends. In a series of texts she was trying to arrange a meet up with him there. Of course he couldn’t make it or get the days off. So he didn’t go. I asked her “WHAT IF HE DID GET THE DAYS OFF?” She said cause I knew he wouldn’t and if he did I wouldn’t have met him. Seriously?
Next… the day they stopped messaging was the day she discovered the Baby Momma was still in picture and was possibly the side chick the whole time. I asked her if she hadn’t discovered that would they still be talking. She said no. 😂😂😂😂😂Seriously!!!!
Next… the one thing that I didn’t see mention once in all of these texts…….no sex or anything of the sort was never mentioned(maybe that’s what the lengthy call log was for).
What was never mentioned even once in all these months and hundreds of texts was any mention of ME!!!!!
No mention at all. This is crazy right? Sorry I have a boyfriend now!!
So now here we are late May and I’m having issues trusting her. I placed a AirTag in her car and found absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. I had it in her car for a week. I went to take it out of the car and it was gone. SHE FOUND IT. Now she super pissed at me for not trusting her. She has given me no reason to trust. It’s all been by faith alone that I’ve grown to trust her. But she will not let go of the AirTag intrusion. Now she doesn’t trust me.
Thoughts…..

So, I'm a bit dumbfounded and distraught and confused over this still. I shouldn't be surprised, but there's just no closure at all. He's just... gone.
I met up with this guy and we really hit it off. It was originally supposed to be FWB, so we had sex. The sex was incredible, and arguably, the best sex we had so far. (Having sex for four hours straight, mind you.) I am a trans woman and he made me feel like a woman. I don't know how he did it, but he validated me in so many ways. After we finally finished, he was like "I feel like you just made love to me." While we were cuddling, he was like "I might just fuck around and make you my girlfriend." I got really excited. Could this be finally happening? I felt that we really connected. He came over the next night (after technically ghosting me at my band's gig.) He said that his power went out and he woke up late. He works third shift at a factory so I forgave him and he said that he still wanted to see me. He came over that night after the gig and we talked for hours into the night and then finally made love again. It was incredible. Afterward, he said something like, "So, are we gonna do this or what?" I said, "You don't think it's going too fast?" He said, "I know people that have gotten together after the first date, and people that have gotten married after the first date. Plus, you moaned that you wanted to be my girlfriend several times while we were having sex." I said, "Only because you asked questions about that during it." "So, will you be my girlfriend?" "Yes, I will be your girlfriend." We fell asleep cuddling and happy. The next morning we had sex again and he left. Everything seemed amazing. I finally had a boyfriend. Or so I thought... We talked through text throughout the day and I was like "You don't have to come to see my on Sunday since you said you had to save gas." He said, "No, I want to see my girlfriend." I said "Okay, cool. I'll see you at 7 tomorrow then." He said, "Goodnight gorgeous and cuddle the kitties for me." I said, "Always."
I texted him in the morning and casually throughout the day. Sending memes and stuff like we usually did. He didn't respond to any of them. When 7 p.m. came around, I started to get worried and I started to cry because he didn't show up. I tried calling him. It rang once and it went to voicemail. I thought, "Fuck. I am blocked." But, I didn't want to believe it. Then, I *67'ed his number and it rang 4 or 5 times and then directly went to voicemail. I left him a sad e-mail begging him not to do this to me and then I left an angry e-mail. It really hurt me. I do not have the greatest history with relationships, but with the way he was acting, I really thought that he was different. I understand that I didn't fully know him. It was only two days, but it was an incredible two days. And now I'm really struggling to process what just happened. I've never been hurt in this way before. It's a new low for him and for me. I really thought that I might have found the love of my life. There was no fighting. No arguments. Just sweetness. It seemed perfect. And he just vanishes. I started to go crazy a little bit. Did I just make him up because I'm that desperate?
I have a feeling that things just went way too fast and he got scared at how well we were connecting to each other, but isn't that the fucking point? My trust in men is almost gone now and I don't know how it hasn't been completely depleted after this. I gave him a couple days to come back and he never did. I stayed blocked. And so I blocked him. I unblocked him today to see if there was an off chance that I had blocked too early. No texts or calls came thru, so I blocked him again.
Why do guys do this? Why do I always attract emotionally unavailable men?

i want to start off by saying that my mom and i have never been closer in my life than we are now, and that there is a lot of context, so it is a very long story.
i know many people who’ve grown up in sibling sets will portray the youngest as a spoiled and entitled baby, the middle(s) as a forgotten wild child, and the oldest as a beacon of patience that sometimes has to become a second/third parent (depending on what your situation is). this is just not true for my family.
i am the youngest of three sisters. my earliest memory of being forgotten is when my older sister at 6 (whom i will call Grace) forced me to sleep on a plastic play-kitchen because she simply did not want to share a room with me. my oldest sister (whom i will call Sarah) at 11, nor my parents noticed i wasn’t sleeping in a bed for 3 consecutive weeks, i had back pain and would cry every night after saying goodnight to everyone before climbing on to the counter of said play-kitchen in our playroom/storage area at the time.
my dad was also abusive to me and my mom, he ended up leaving the year after the incident above ^ shortly after i was 5 years old.
growing up with grace was a nightmare. she was physically and emotionally abusive and has beaten me unprovoked more times than i am willing to count. whenever she was was doing something she wasn’t supposed to, my parents would send me to either retrieve what technology she had or to bring her to talk to them. both situations would result in a physical assault without fail. i would also like to say that the physical abuse i went through from grace wasn’t just regular siblings fighting, because i know the difference, she would rip out my hair, throw large objects at me (like a mirror which knocked the wind out of me), and would punch my back and ribs till they were black and blue. all the while i would scream, and there is only one occasion that comes to mind that anybody came to help me. she’s now in her 20s and is abusive to her husband.
sarah and i hardly knew each other up until she entered her 20s. she has high functioning autism and my mom has worked with sarah for her entire life about becoming more socially active (she is now and we’re best friends :) ) but she was emotionally unavailable when i just needed anyone to love and protect me.
my stepdad was someone i could only describe as pure evil. from the very day i met him he wanted nothing to do with me, and up until he died he tormented my entire family. he was physically and mentally abusive to everyone in the household except for the most part sarah since she joined the military after enjoying the structure JROTC provided for her in high school.
as for my mom, i’d like to give her the benefit of doubt for having abusive husbands back to back for her actions, but she’s only been getting worse and we’ve been out of that situation ^{^} for a few years. she doesn’t treat me the same as sarah or grace, nor is she as lenient. my friends who have witnessed our relationship have even gone as far to compare me to a servant. i do all of the chores in our 4 person household, including laundry and dishes for the whole family, whilst watching 4 dogs. i have an unemployed non-related brother who i did not grow up with who lives in our house. he doesn’t take on any household responsibilities due to my moms sexist ideologies. my mom leaves every week for days traveling the world with her new boyfriend.
to my mother i am her: therapist maid relationship advisor co-parent of sarah best friend drinking partner biggest annoyance caretaker
as a 19y/o with PCOS, POTS, and chronic back pain i just can’t keep up with all the roles she needs me to fill in the mere 24 hours of a day, but i would do that and a million more roles if she just treated me like her daughter as well.
i am writing this quickly since she is in the same room as me, and i just need to get it off my chest.

Hi, I am 24F and my boyfriend 21M who I have been dating for about a year and few months, everything was going fine until January, there were few fights and arguments like every couple does but we used to sort it out. There were some rules set by him, like - I am not supposed to call him more than 3 times, not send him messages in a row (even if I am talking about a topic) that is considered to be a spam, I am not supposed to call him after goodnight, not involve 3rd party in an argument, should not react if I have a fight or throw a tantrum, according to him it is overacting/overreaction. I tried doing all these, but as a human I fail sometimes I sometimes end up calling him more than 3 times or I end up spamming sometimes. Yesterday we were talking about Rafah issue and I happen to talk about in more than 7-8 messages, for which he added a splitwise of 100 rs.
He has started a splitwise group called Rule Penalty Breaker, where he adds 100 Rs per any mistake committed, once I shouted at him during a fight he added 100, if I say F you, he adds another 100, and if he does all this I have equal rights to add but he deletes all that expense. And he added another expense “Changing Splitwise” 100 rs, from January he has been doing this and the money has come upto 5K. He expects me to pay all of it by this month end. And if I refuse to pay it he says that I don’t take all his rules seriously and that I will continue doing so if I don’t pay the fine and never improve, if I refuse to pay he threatens me that he will find someone better and get with them, and breakup with me which is making me pay the fine. I am very confused because should I be paying the fine to stay with him, and protect the relationship or the fine things sound very weird to me.
TLDR; My BF demands fine amount from me if I don’t follow his relationship rules and if I refuse to pay the amount he will breakup.
EDIT: Thank you for all your responses, thank you for being there for me everyone! I have dumped him.

when i was in 6th grade i was bullied for "being fat". i was indeed not fat and was normal weight but it still caused me to have issues with me and my body to this day.
i love food and i want to experience all new kinds of food etc. but ever since I've been little, i have had an eating disorder called arfid. the way it acts is that it basically makes me throw up when i eat certain foods (i can tell from experience). no matter how hard i try, i just cannot eat those foods which makes me not want to try new foods.
my boyfriend know the body image issues and about the bullying. he knows how i want to be skinny and stuff like that yk. I've also told him that i weigh more than him and I'm not comfortable sharing my weight and stuff like that.
he has previously told me how he "loves big women" and how he "loves thick thighs" etc.
however today after a small conversation we had about some issues, he brought up that i should focus on gym. I've never liked talking about my weight, working out, losing weight and getting slimmer with anyone. he said he wants me to be healthy and wants what's best for me. then he started asking if i have a fitness goal and what it is. i told him i don't really have one, just want to be healthier by eating and exercising. then he asked what my weight is and i told him I'm too insecure to answer and asked what's his. he said that he asked first and then told his anyway. then i said i don't want to say mine since i weigh more than him and he answered "so you don't love me". i was like wtf cause he's never been like this and it was weird behaviour. then i told him to shut up and said I'm not comfortable with myself, meaning my body and he answeres "with me?". i told him it has nothing to do with him but he said otherwise and then "because you're my gf and i deserve to know". i said that it's too personal and "i don't want you to think anything bad about it, which i know you will". I'm heavy so i know it wouldn't be positive things he's thinking of especially since he's now telling me to focus on exercising and losing weight.
he said that stuff like this makes him feel more distant, and i asked him where is he coming from since he suddenly out of nowhere started saying how i should lose weight. we went back and forth a bit and then he said "i see people 4 times bigger than you becoming slim. if they can why can't you? you just need the ambition". and that honestly hurt me a lot. i had told him that I don't want to discuss about my weight and i think that a grown man should see the signs that I'm not comfortable with the issue we're talking about. i responded "wtf is wrong with you" and i was getting seriously hurt by his words. then i guess he got upset over it since he said "ok, nvm, sorry i even started this, goodnight." and i was so shocked.
i swear he has never acted like this and it was so weird, coming out of nowhere. he has told me before that he loves my body, nothing is wrong with it etc. I don't understand why he would suddenly start saying how i need to lose weight, I'm so confused.
i kind of understand where's he's coming from, wanting me to be healthy but he could've been nicer about it especially since he knows my issues. he's been great and we've gotten along so well previously, i genuinely don't understand
AITAH?
also tell me what to do now, I'm lost.

Me (40) and my bf (44) of 11 months were spending the weekend together. Saturday morning he gets a text from his friend, Jess, (40) asking if we wanted to get dinner. I was fine to, though I have met Jess 2/3 times and find her quite self focused. We met Jess for dinner where I would estimate 70-80 pc of the conversation was her monologuing about herself, her job, her ex, her ex's new partner, her dating life, her child, her injuries, her pain. After dinner, my bf said, should we go for a drink? We were on a strip with many, many bars, pubs and clubs. I was very tired after a huge working week and probably was already done, but was OK to have a drink or 2 somewhere and then call it a night. The bf suggested the bar across the road. Jess was not keen, and said, let's go left and do a loop around of the strip. I live in the area, my bf knows it well, he said, there is nothing to the left, everything is to the right. Jess insisted on going left as it 'was a nice night for a walk'. My bf and I had walked 30 min to the restaurant and had another 30 minute walk home - neither us wanted more walking. But I didn't want to be rude, and he said nothing, so we walked left. As we'd said, there were no bars to the left. Walking along the strip, Jess then said we should go to a particular bar she liked that had great music. I had never been to this place and was OK to give it a go, until she explained it was a bit far and we'd need to get in the car to drive there. I was annoyed at this. I was quite tired and didn't want to go far, especially when we were already on probably the most concentrated strip of bars and clubs in the city. Why not just stay here? But because Jess is my boyfriend's friend not mine and I hardly know her, I was waiting for him to speak up. He didn't. We get in Jess's car and drive to what turned out to be an absolute dive bar with screeching, very lous heavy metal music (not my kind of place). I couldn't hear a word. I go to the bathroom and by the the time I am done, I step out of the bathroom and am surprised to see my boyfriend and Jess sitting at a table bench literally outside the toilets together, with one chair available facing towards the bathrooms so that I was facing the mens toilet entry. It was the only free table in the venue. It was gross. I sit down, thinking what the eff am I doing here, at a disgusting dive with screeching heavy metal music in my ears, seated looking inside a mens bathroom. The entire next hour was Jess monologuing about herself. It didn't really matter as I couldn't hear a word over the music anyway - I may as well not have been there. Then Jess gets up and says she wants to play pool. I do not play pool. So boyfriend and Jess decide to play a game, leaving me alone, sitting by the toilet. At this point, I am angry. Why the hell am I in a dive, sitting outside a toilet alone while my boyfriend and his friend play pool. I get up and tell my boyfriend, I'm not sitting next to a toilet, I'm going to try to find another place to sit. He says OK. I walk through the place, not a single area to sit in. I go outside, same. I am really annoyed at this point, I didn't come out on a Saturday night to third wheel my boyfriend playing pool; I came out thinking we would be catching up with his friend - as in, conversing, sharing conversation that involves listening and talking - this place allowed for neither. I give it 15 minutes, calm down a bit, go back inside and ask my boyfriend for my house keys, I say you're welcome to stay, I'm going home. He says, "Oh, really?" I give Jess a polite hug goodnight and leave, starting the walk home. My boyfriend follows me out half a minute later and catches up with me. I am really angry with him by now, thinking, you absolutely know this is not something I would enjoy. Your friend is self focused and hasn't stopped talking about herself for 3 hours straight. We're in a grotty dive bar with music neither of us can stand, and you leave me to literally sit outside a mens toilet alone watching you play pool. He would have known that place was absolutely not my kind of place. He knows I do not play pool, so why would I want to go to a pool bar. And getting up to play a game of pool leaving me on my own - what was the point of me being there? Surely a partner should have said, Jess, my girlfriend doesn't play pool, it's a game for two anyway and we're 3 people - it's probably not the most social thing to do for you and I to do something she can't join, especially as we're a group of 3 and we'd be leaving her alone. How about we either go somewhere else where we can hear each other talk so we can all continue to socialise together, or simply call it a night. I said that to him, and that I was annoyed at his lack of thoughtfulness. He apologised. I said, you are welcome to catch up with your friends without me, but if you invite me out on a weekend we're spending together, supposedly to 'catch up' with your friend - I should be taken into account, not be left to feel like a third wheel. This is niggling at me. AITA?

I became super attached to some guy i was seeing. Already but the end of the first month he was spending the night with me after he got off work and for the entire 4 weeks he basically lived with me. I got used to seeing him every single night. I would cook for him wash his clothes, wake up super early with him to see him off, give him all the affection and love, buy him little things that reminded me of him, i got so consumed with how i felt about this man that i even started taking weekends off (I’m self employed) just so i can be with him on his days off. I would literally do everything for this man and i was willing to do anything… he even met my daughter, we were planning on waiting but it just didn’t work like that. (Unforeseen circumstances caused us to introduce them earlier than planned )
Fast forward.. I’m showering in my shower and i find a single eyelash extension in my shower lmao. I don’t wear eyelashes and neither does my 4 year old daughter.. and i also don’t interact with anyone that wears them… i know his ex wears them and a month prior we had an incident when his ex was getting arrested and he went to go help her out and even saw her to “check up on her” a few days after. I was forced to get over that and forgive him and trust that he didn’t f**k her.
Back to my eyelash situation, i confronted him about it… in his defense it was more like an accusation.. i told him that i know he went to see his ex. And the reason why i said that is because of the prior situation that happened, also my gut just told me it was her. He got very very defensive and started raising his voice to me calling me stupid for even thinking that. He left to the gym and later that day he had to house/dog watch for his friend so he wasn’t spending the night at my place. I had known that in advance. He went almost 2 days after that without any communication with me..
I was extremely depressed and so upset and so hurt that he could actually go that long without talking to me. Made me feel worthless and so stupid.
I wanted to drink to forget so that 2nd night i did just that. I went out and i got so drunk.. big mistake because i don’t drink like that… i messed up and the next morning i found out that i was hugging all over a guy and the guy i was talking to showed up at the same bar on time to just see that… mind you this guy isn’t officially my boyfriend yet.. i know. I know what you’re thinking… That is the extent of what happened tho. After that i left the bar because my girlfriend was super drunk and she needed to get out of there. I drove to my home and she spent the night with me. She also threw up all over my car so i was trying to take care of her.
I didn’t leave with any man and i didn’t do anything sexual l with any man. No kiss no s*x nothing.
I was just being sloppy and was hugging this man. The next day i spoke to one of the bartenders who is a friend of mine and i asked if i was doing anything that would be considered inappropriate.. he said no but i was hugging some guy.. So i admit it. I messed up and i shouldn’t have even gone out in the first place.
Next day, actually next night he goes and gets drunk and calls me at 2:30 in the morning and is YELLING AND SCREAMING at me saying what is he supposed to think when I’m hanging on some guy that he doesn’t know if i “sucked his d*** or if i f***ed him” just screaming at me and not allowing me to say anything at all really. Didn’t even care to aknowledge that he literally ghosted me for 2 whole days driving me freakin crazy.
He eventually called me a whore so i hung up on him… he called me back and i told him im not okay with how he’s talking to me and he said “so what do you want to do” i said “i want to be with you but you seem to have your mind made up and that’s fine” and he said “ill pick you up in the morning for breakfast and we can talk” Well the next day came, no call no text.. i went about my day went to church and did other little things to occupy my mind and my day so that way i didn’t spend the entire time sulking. Believe me i did my fair share of sulking the day before. I feel worthless i feel like a mistake i feel like a piece of sh**..
But then i think about it.. and maybe just maybe everything does happen for a reason. And the universe is giving me a “get out of jail free card”, because this man never loved me . Didn’t give me the same energy didn’t care enough to communicate with me. I feel like as bad as i want to hold on and make it work i think i need to let this chapter close. The universe is taking him out of my life and i need to let it.
I just needed to vent y’all.. i know i was in the wrong at some point but at the same time.. i didn’t deserve the treatment that drove me to want to numb my pain with alcohol in the first place. I don’t even like to drink that much.
Goodnight 🫶🏻 thanks for reading.

TW: Suicide themes
It all started the day we found Charlie’s sister in the barn.
Erica had returned to our little town from the city to celebrate her 27th birthday. She was sporting a nose ring and had choppy black hair. She had brought her boyfriend Blake with her, with his long black hair and dark wayfarers. Charlie and I were 14 at the time and thought they looked like rock stars.
Their parents had arranged a party on the grounds of their property. Charlie and I had our first taste of alcohol that night and coughed our guts up when Erica and Blake let us take drags of their cigarettes.
“I love you, Chaz,” said Erica, her arms around Charlie and me. “You too, Glen. Promise me you boys will do whatever makes you happy.”
We had no idea it was her way of saying goodbye.
The next day, there was confusion in the house when Erica and Blake were nowhere to be seen. They’d spent the night in her old bedroom. I’d spent the night on Charlie’s bedroom floor.
“Did you see your sister leave?” asked his mom. We hadn’t. She wasn’t answering her cell either.
Later that day, Charlie and I went to the barn to look for Erica. When we opened the doors, we saw her lying in the arms of Blake on a bed of straw. We put it down to too much vodka.
“We found them,” yelled Charlie. “Wake up, sleepy heads!” As we got closer, we saw an empty bottle of vodka, along with a small empty pot for high-strength sleeping pills, the kind for prescription only.
“Erica,” said Charlie, shaking his sister. She was out cold. “Glen, she’s not breathing!”
Blake started to stir like he was in pain.
“Mr and Mrs Morgan!!” I screamed, running out of the barn.
Erica and Blake were rushed to the hospital. As feared, Erica was dead at the scene. Blake had his stomach pumped and was put in a ward to recover.
“She wanted this,” he managed through god knows what other drugs they had put him on.
“What the fuck do you mean,” said Erica’s dad, grabbing Blake by the front of his smock. He had to be escorted out in tears along with his wife. I sat with Charlie until my parents could come pick me up. We just stared at Blake, this guy who we had thought was so cool, pale with greasy black hair plastered to his face.
“She got in, dudes,” he said.
“”What did she get in?” said Charlie, close to tears. “My sister is dead.”
“But she’s with them now.” He looked up. “Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix…”
“Who are you talking about?” I said.
“Only the greatest to ever live. The 27 Club.” He stepped out of bed, wincing, pulling out the tubes in his arms. I still remember the trickles of blood running down his wrists.
“What the hell is The 27 Club?”
“Strictly members only,” he said. “No admittance to anyone even a day before or after turning 27. I turned two weeks ago, and we were saving it to go together. Forever 27 with the legends.”
He walked to the window. “Say, what floor are we on?”
I shrugged. “Sixth I think.”
He looked out and turned with a grin. “I bet she’s up there partying with Cobain as we speak.” He opened the window,
“Blake,“ said Charlie. “I think you should get back in bed.
“Forever 27 boys,” he said. “See you in a few years.”
He leapt from the window, making Charlie and I cry out in unison. We heard a gruesome thud as he hit something hard. When I braved a peek, he was face down on the roof of an ambulance.
After the events, Charlie became obsessed with “The 27 Club”. When we turned 16, he wanted to form a suicide pact. We would wait until we both turned 27, then end it together.
“These people meant nothing to you,” I said. “When did you ever talk about The Doors, or Jimi Handrix? And everyone has those fucking Nirvana T-Shirts. it means nothing!”
“It’s not just that, Glen,” he said. “It’s honoring my sister. You loved Erica too.”
“I did, but she had problems, Charlie. It’s not even a real club. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s not some amazing club where they’re all living it up in paradise. They're unfortunate coincidences. Plenty of other cool people have died at 26, or 28.”
Before I could react he pulled out a pen knife and sliced open my right palm. I screamed.
“Jesus, what the fuck Charlie!”
He did the same to himself, barely reacted to the pain, then gripped my hand in his.
“Forever 27. We’re bound by blood now, my brother.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” I said, leaving his house. My hand kept slipping on the handle bar of my bike until I got home to patch myself up.
Some years passed, and I’d kept my distance from Charlie. I started college and got a new circle of friends. I remember July 23rd 2011 like it was yesterday. I was 21. Even before Charlie texted me, I knew he would as soon as I heard the news.
Amy Winehouse is dead. She was 27.
The scar on my right palm began to ache. I wasn’t going to contribute to crazy, so I ignored him. I met with my girlfriend Lori and our group of friends for a night out. Of course, Winehouse was the topic of the evening. She had managed to become a cultural phenomenon in such a short amount of time, and her death was genuinely hard hitting. And what better way to celebrate the life of a tortured soul than by keeping the drinks flowing and partaking in the coke our friend Shane had scored.
“Are you guys familiar with the concept of the 27 club?” asked Lori. I swallowed my whisky and cleared my throat.
“Yeah, that’s an exclusive group of celebrities who croaked it at 27, right?” said Shane.
“Exactly,” she said. “Anyone who’s anyone is part of that club.” She held up a glass. “To Amy, and the 27 club!”
“Here here,” said Shane. “May she forever shoot up with my idol, Kurt Cobain, in that big club in the sky.”
“That’s a bit insensitive,” I said. “She literally died hours ago. Have some respect.”
“I’m respecting, buddy,” he said. “This is all for her.”
“Are you OK, Glen,” said Lori. My palm was burning. I ran a finger over the scar and held it up to them.
“I never told you how I got this,” I said. “My childhood best friend, Charlie. His sister killed herself when she was 27. Her boyfriend, too.”
“Shit,” said Shane.
“Charlie did this to me when we were 16. He cut my hand and made us blood brothers. He wanted me to make a suicide pact, that we would end it at 27.”
“Glen, I had no idea,” said Lori.
“I pushed it away,” I said. “I cut all ties with him. But he texted me today, funnily enough, on the day the 27 club gets a new member.”
“I feel awful,” said Shane. “If I’d known, I wouldn't have…”
“Look, it’s fine,” I said. “I’m all for celebrating life or death. I guess I’m just being sensitive. It kind of all came back.”
A few more years passed. Lori and I were married and had a baby boy, Jack. We lived in a house not a million miles away from where I grew up.
One week, I was feeling particularly agitated, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I realized what it was when I spoke to my mom on the phone.
“Will you be seeing Charlie for his birthday?” she asked. “I know you boys don’t see each other as much as you used to, but you were inseparable once upon a time. I hear it’s the big two-seven. He could probably use the support, what with… well, you know.”
“I’ll message him,” I said before saying goodbye. I didn’t want to be a prick, so I kept it polite.
Hey Charlie, I wish you a happy birthday. Maybe we can meet for a drink sometime soon. I’m only like two hours away from our old town. Love, Glen.
About an hour later, I got a notification.
Glen, my brother. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I hear you have a little one of your own now. Me too! Little Joseph. I would love to meet for a drink sometime. You stay in touch. Love, your friend Charlie.
What was most surprising about it was that he didn’t mention his age at all. There was no “I’m 27 now, and you know what that means…” Years of guilt hit me like a sledgehammer to the teeth. I had neglected who was once my most important friend due to an admittedly messed up experience, but clearly one he could have used more support with. I had abandoned him. The scar on my hand burned as if to remind me of the wrong I’d done to him.
A few days later, I reached out again. I suggested we meet at one of our old haunts, but he invited me to his home on account of watching his son. He was still based in our old town and had a nice but modest house.
“Courtesy of the ‘rents,” he said. Charlie’s parents had done rather well for themselves and owned several properties around town. “I’d like you to meet someone.”
There was a basket perched on a wooden frame, and out he pulled a baby wrapped in a blanket. His little eyes were half open.
“This is Joseph. Say hello to your uncle Glen.” He handed Joseph to me, who I awkwardly cradled in my arms until I found the right position.
“He’s the spit of you, Charlie,” I said, looking down at his cute little face. He reached up and grabbed my nose with his sharp baby nails. “Forgot how much that stings,” I said. “Jack is currently enjoying his terrible twos. He’s a bit of a handful for Lori and myself at times.”
“Come sit down,” he said. “How is the old ball and chain?”
I laughed. “She’s actually perfect. I can’t recall a single disagreement we had, other than what to name Jack. She wanted to name him Donald after her grandfather. That wasn’t going to happen.” He laughed. “Where’s your better half, anyway? I don’t think we ever met.”
He looked down. “Suzie. She’s no longer with us. It’s just little Joey and me.”
“Charlie, I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t long after his birth. She just didn’t wake up one morning.” He smiled. “We disagreed about his name, too. I wanted to name him Joseph after Joseph Merrick, more commonly known as “The Elephant Man”. He was the first official member of the 27 club.”
I took in a deep breath as I felt unease set in. “Charlie, you can’t still be obsessed with that club.”
He reached over and took Joseph from me. “Did you hear Anton Yelchin is also a member now? Don’t try and tell me it’s not real.”
“Okay, I’m gonna leave you to it,” I said. “Charlie, promise me you’ll look after yourself and Joseph. You know where I am if you need any help.”
“Appreciated,” he said, laying Joseph down in the basket. “Say, isn’t your birthday coming up soon?”
I gulped. “Yeah, in a few weeks. Lori and I are having a weekend in the Hamptons.” I lied.
“Ah, good for you,” he said. “I hope the weather holds out for you.” He held out his hand palm side up, clearly showing me the scar we shared. “Put it there, brother.”
I firmly yet quickly shook his hand and made my way out of his house.
“He’s still not right,” I said to Lori later that evening. “It’s been over 10 years and he’s still obsessed with that fucking club.”
“Try to be more sensitive, Glen. He lost his sister, and now his wife too. As well as raising a baby on his own. The poor guy is probably so lost right now.”
“I’m trying, Lori. But that little reminder of my birthday didn’t sit right with me. It was like ‘remember what that means’. The thing is, it means nothing to me. I didn't agree to a damn thing! I didn’t ask for this scar!”
She kissed the top of my head. “I’m putting Jack to bed, then taking a bath. Why don’t you listen to one of your podcasts? Take your mind off things.”
“Good idea, honey,” I said. “But not before the tickle monster attacks!” I grabbed Jack and blew raspberries on his belly, which sent him into fits of giggles.
“Okay, that’s enough excitement for one day,” said Lori.
“Give me a hug,” I said to Jack. “Goodnight buddy.”
“Night daddy,” he said, then disappeared upstairs with Lori.
I put in my earbuds and started listening to the latest "How Bizarre" podcast. I was content for all of ten minutes when I started thinking about Charlie.
I opened Google and typed in Charlie Morgan, followed by our hometown. One of the first results was from a local newspaper. The headline was something like “[Redacted] man becomes single father after sudden tragedy.” It mentioned his wife Suzie had passed away from breathing complications during sleep. My heart skipped a beat when I read she was 27 at the time of death. I then started to groan as my scar burned as if freshly cut.
I knew in my heart Charlie was responsible for Suzie’s death. I was turning 27 in just over two weeks. I called my mom.
“You sound agitated, sweetheart,” she said. “What’s the matter?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Charlie’s wife?”
“I did! I mentioned how he’s had a rough go of it in life, but you didn’t seem to be interested. Too occupied with childish rivalries or whatever you call it.”
I felt terrible. “I’m sorry, mother. Did you attend the funeral?”
“I did. Don’t worry, I mentioned how busy you were and you would have been there if you could.”
“Mom, do you think there’s any chance Charlie knows where we live?”
“Would that be a bad thing? You were best friends, after all.”
“Can you just answer me, please?”
“Yes, he knows where you live. Was I not supposed to tell him during his crisis? Should I have read your mind?”
“No, no. I’m sorry, mom. I’m not mad. Look, Lori and I are thinking of going to the Hamptons for my birthday weekend. Would you be able to have Jack?”
“You mean I get to spend the whole weekend with my little Jackie boo?”
That was a 100% yes. When Lori came downstairs after her bath, I grabbed her. She let out a little yelp.
“You haven’t made plans for my birthday, have you?”
“No, not yet. I was thinking of having everyone over for a BBQ, bouncy castle for the kids, bucking bronco for the big kids.”
“How about we get away, just the two of us. Go to the Hamptons and rent a romantic cottage on the beach.”
“How bourgeois,” she chuckled. “Should we rent a garish Lamborghini too?”
I laughed. “If you want? My folks have already said they’ll have Jack for the weekend.”
My birthday came around on a Friday. That morning, Lori drove Jack to my parents’ while I finished packing our weekend bags. Lori has already specifically picked out some fancy dresses to show off to the “douchebags who summer in the Hamptons”. I think she was looking forward to seeing how the other half lived, and making snide remarks behind their backs. I was also in charge of collecting our neon green Lamborghini, which got the whole neighborhood snooping as I pulled it into our driveway.
After an hour or so, Lori hadn’t returned. I just assumed mom and dad were chewing her ears off, so I gave her a call. It went straight to voicemail. so I called my mom instead.
“Is Lori still with you?” I asked. “We kinda need to get on the road.”
“No, sweetheart. We haven’t seen Lori yet.”
My heart dropped. “She left over an hour ago.”
“Oh, my. Maybe she stopped for gas or something.”
“For an hour?”
“Don’t snap at me, Glen. There could be traffic. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying her cell. Please let me know when she gets to you.”
My stomach was in knots as I hung up and tried Lori’s cell again. Three hours of calls and texts later, nothing. I kept checking local traffic news to see if there was congestion, or god forbid an accident.
“Mom, I’m so worried,” I said, calling her back. “Do you think I should call the police?”
“Oh sweetheart, I don’t think they’d do anything after a few hours. Stay positive.”
My mind kept going to Charlie. It was my 27th birthday, after all. I dialled his cell.
“Glen,” he answered. “Happy Birthday, my brother,” I could hear the rumblings of an engine in the background.
“Is this a bad time?” I asked. “Are you driving?”
“Oh no, it’s the perfect time. I’m not driving. But hold on, I’ll just put you on to the driver.”
After a few seconds, I heard her.
“Glen, we’re okay. We’re driving to…”
It was Lori, but she was cut off short. “Okay, that’s enough.”
“What the fuck have you done, Charlie,” I spat down the phone. “You bring my family back now!”
“Do you know how kind your wife is?” he said. “She saw me on the side of the road and stopped to give me a ride. Such a sweetie. She told me all about your little birthday getaway and, well, I had to insist on being there myself. I couldn’t miss your 27th after all.”
My stomach was in knots. “Please Charlie. Please bring them back to me.”
“I think you should come here,” he said. “We'll be at the cottage in around 3 hours or so. I heard you have some wheels of your own. Sounds like you’ll be travelling in style.”
“Charlie,” I pleaded. “I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry for your sister. I’m sorry for abandoning you. Please, just come back to me. Let’s talk about it man to man.”
“You’ll either be there, or not. But if not, I’ve got another little friend who would love to make acquaintances with Lori and Jack.” I heard a click.
“He has a gun, Glen,” said Lori.
“I’m coming. Just don’t hurt them, Charlie. Please. I’m coming.”
“Good. Oh, and no police and all that shit of course. You know how it goes. See you later, brother.”
He hung up. I inhaled a sharp breath and screamed into the house. The first thing I did was collect the handgun we kept on the top shelf of our bedroom closet. Then I went downstairs and spotted a handmade birthday card from Jack on the kitchen counter, with a cupcake next to it. You could see Lori’s influence in the words as she had guided his little hand with a paintbrush.
Happy Birthday to the best daddy in the world
I fought back the tears, shoved the delicious cupcake into my mouth, and got into that ugly assed Lamborghini, putting my foot down and raising my middle finger at the neighborhood watch who shook their fists at me.
It took me 4 hours to reach the cottage in the Hamptons we’d rented on Airbnb. I put the gun down the front of my pants and walked inside, my heart ready to explode. I was greeted by the smell of rich tomato sauce. Lori was sitting at a dining chair, her hands strapped to the sides with thick twine. Charlie was standing over the cooker, stirring a saucepan. I could see a playpen with Jack sitting up playing with toys, and baby Joseph was lying on his back, waving his arms around.
“I’m here,” I said, making my presence known. Lori went from looking terrified to mild relief.
“Oh, I heard that god-awful car pull up,” said Charlie. “Half the neighborhood probably did. You’re just in time. I made pasta.”
“Thanks and all, but I’m not hungry.” I went straight over to Lori. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “No, honey. I’m fine. Jack’s fine, too.”
I kissed her and went over to the playpen. Jack giggled when he saw me, holding up a plastic dinosaur. Joseph clung on to a plush toy of a blue dog.
“Don’t they look so cute together?” said Charlie. “Brothers from a different mother, just like us.”
I pulled the gun from my pants and turned to face Charlie. “You’re not the Charlie I called my best friend for years. You need help. This obsession has gone on long enough. Tell me, did you kill your wife?”
“What?” said Lori from the table.
Charlie grinned. “I forget how clever you are. You were always the brains, helping me with homework and stupid math tests that mean absolutely nothing.”
“I loved you, Charlie. But this is too much. So I’m taking my wife, and I’m taking my son. I think under the circumstances we’ll be taking Joseph, too. I sincerely hope you get the help you need so one day he can have a relationship with his dad.”
I walked over to Lori, but she yelled out “Wait!”
Charlie started to laugh. “Did you think it would be that easy? Just look inside her blouse.”
I peeked inside and saw an electronic device strapped to her chest. It had a numerical display that was counting down. There were 46 minutes remaining.
“If she moves from that spot before the timer runs out, a shot of adrenalin will be pumped into her heart. We’re talking about an insane amount of adrenaline. Enough to knock out an elephant. She simply won’t make it.”
“What do you want from me?” I yelled.
He walked towards me and took the gun from my hand, putting it on the table. Then he held up his scarred palm and held it against mine. That burning sensation came back.
“I want us to share a bottle, then live up to our pact.”
“But I didn’t make the pact!” I screamed. “You forced it on me.”
“Come on, Glen. We owe this to my sister and to Blake. To Basquiat, Winehouse, Morrison, Cobain, Joplin. To all those legends.”
“You’re insane,” I said, pushing him against the wall.
“Careful. All it takes is one little click, and Lori’s heart goes boom! And little Jack and Joey will be left orphans.”
“You’re actually going to take your own life with your baby boy right there?”
He nodded. “I’ve been committed to this since I was 14 years old. If you do exactly what I say, Lori lives. She can take Jack and Joey and be the hero of the story. Now, I checked your birth certificate. You were born at 21:19, which is when you’ll officially turn 27. Lori’s heart device will become useless at 21:30, at which point she can wriggle out of those ropes and get out of here. But not before we’ve taken a special concoction I’ve made to honor my sister.”
My legs went weak, and I had to sit down on the floor. “You actually want me to end my life with you?”
“Forever 27, Glen. You’ll thank me when we’re living it up.”
“Don’t do it, honey,” said Lori.
“Yeah, that’s not an option,” said Charlie. “You see, if he refuses, I’ll put a bullet in his head. Then I’ll watch as your heart explodes.”
I started to cry. I felt so weak, so powerless. But I think the worst thing of all was that Charlie was my friend. We’d been estranged for years, but he was my friend.
“May I kiss my wife?” I asked.
“Of course, I’m not a monster.”
I stood up and walked over to Lori, gently hugging her. I could feel the metallic device against my chest as I kissed her.
“Don’t do this,” she said, tears streaming.
“I love you, Lori. Look after our boy.”
I went over to the playpen and picked up Jack, who looked so oblivious to everything.
“Dadda,” he said, gently patting my face.
“I love you, Jack,” I said, kissing his cheek. He wiped his cheek like it was the most disgusting thing he’d experienced. “Look after mamma.”
I reached down and stroked little Joseph’s face. “I wish things could have been different for you, little one.”
“Alright, we get it,” said Charlie. “Outside, now.”
Despite the disturbing situation I found myself in, the night was beautiful. A dinner table had been set up on the deck behind the cottage. There was a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. The moon was low, the temperature mild, the sounds of the ocean gentle. It was supposed to be me and Lori, enjoying a meal and maybe a spot of love making on the dunes like we were teenagers again.
“Sit down,” he said. “I’ve waited weeks for this. I almost did it without you, but my scar burned like a motherfucker. Do you ever get that?”
I shrugged as I sat down.
“Yeah, you do. It’s because we’re connected.”
He poured two whiskeys and pushed one towards me. I didn’t hesitate, downing it in one go, shuddering a little at the afterburn.
“That’s good shit,” I said.
“It’s gotta be the best,” he said. “It’s a 10 year old single malt.”
I pushed out my glass for another, which he obliged.
“Suppose I’d better catch up.” He downed it and checked his watch. “21:15. Now’s as good a time as any.”
He pulled out a glass vial from his pocket containing a clear liquid. “This is a highly concentrated mix of Zaleplon, Valium, Klonopin, and ethanol.” He opened it and poured half into my glass, and the other half into his. “The beauty is we’ll probably be asleep before any of the nasty side effects take hold.”
I took a deep breath and downed some whiskey straight from the bottle.
“Gimme that,” he said and did the same. He then pulled out his gun and placed it on the table. I could feel tears streaming down my face.
“You were my brother, Charlie,” I said. “How could you do this to me?”
“Because I love you,” he said. “You and I, forever 27. I can’t think of anything more beautiful than that.”
He looked at his watch again and beamed. “21:19. It’s officially your birthday, Glen. Welcome to 27! Oh, how I’ve waited for this.”
“Please, Charlie. Think of Jack. Think of Joseph. He needs his daddy.”
He picked up the gun. “Drink it.”
I picked up the glass and swirled the clear mixture around. The smell was like pure alcohol. Then I looked to the sky, the moon, the stars, and the ocean.
“To Lori and to Jack,” I said, downing the mixture. It burned like freshly boiled water as it went down, making me clutch my throat. As soon as it reached my stomach, it was like a suckerpunch to the gut. I stumbled off the chair and fell to the ground, clutching my belly.
“I’m coming, brother,” said Charlie, picking up his glass. But before he could take a sip, a gunshot sounded out. I heard the glass smash on the ground and had enough time to see a single trickle of blood drip down his forehead before he collapsed. Then I passed out.
A week later, I was awake in a hospital bed. It turns out my wife is a genius. She figured out that if she could force something between her chest and the adrenaline shot, she’d be able to move freely. So, while Charlie and I were sitting outside, Lori freed her hands (Charlie was no expert when it came to knots, apparently) and wedged a dinner plate against her chest. When the device activated, it shattered the plate, causing a small cut to her chest, but otherwise leaving her unharmed. She then used my gun, which Charlie had left on the table to shoot him in the head.
It wasn’t a fatal shot, though, just enough to render him unconscious. He was being kept on a different floor in the hospital. On the day of my release, I went to see him. He had tubes coming out of his arms, mouth, and thighs. Despite what he’s put me through, it gave me no pleasure to see him that way,
We’ve become temporary guardians to Joseph Morgan, Charlie's son. Though we’re fighting for custody. Charlie’s parents, who are his next of kin, are really too old to be looking after a baby. We always said we wanted two kids, and he’s as sweet as pie. Jack has taken a shine to him, too.
Charlie remained on life support. There was always a police officer sitting outside his room, but I visited regularly. He could sometimes communicate with his hands and eyes. Speech was usually slurred. But I know in my heart he used every fibre of energy left in his body to communicate with me on one special day.
The day before he turned 28.
I was reading “Of Mice and Men” to him. It was a book we’d studied at school and had meant a lot to us at the time, having got us both B grades on our assignments. Mid speech, I was interrupted by his hand on my wrist. He gripped it tighter than I thought he could. I looked into his eyes, my breath frozen. They were wide. Pleading. There were already several birthday cards dotted around the room reminding him of what was about to happen.
“Ple…” his lips parted to try and speak. I could see tears forming in his eyes. I put the book down and leaned closer.
“Charlie, what is it?”
“Glen… you have to…”
I knew what he wanted to say. “Charlie, please don’t ask that of me.”
“Please!” he said. “Forever… 27.”
I looked around the room. It was empty, but the door was open. A cop was sitting outside like usual. I stood up and slowly closed the door, wedging a chair under the handle. I went back to Charlie.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
He lifted a trembling hand to my face and nodded. “I’m sorry, Brother.”
I started to cry as I kissed his cheek. Then I found the mains plug, pulling it out of the wall. I held his hand as he started to convulse, and alarms started sounding through the halls. The cop was knocking on the door, trying to force himself in. By the time the cop and two nurses had got into the room, Charlie was dead.
His parents took me to court. I spent six months in prison before the judge dismissed the case.
Charlie got his wish; he became a member of the 27 club. I hope it’s everything he wanted it to be

It all started the day we found Charlie’s sister in the barn.
Erica had returned to our little town from the city to celebrate her 27th birthday. She was sporting a nose ring and had choppy black hair. She had brought her boyfriend Blake with her, with his long black hair and dark wayfarers. Charlie and I were 14 at the time and thought they looked like rock stars.
Their parents had arranged a party on the grounds of their property. Charlie and I had our first taste of alcohol that night and coughed our guts up when Erica and Blake let us take drags of their cigarettes.
“I love you, Chaz,” said Erica, her arms around Charlie and me. “You too, Glen. Promise me you boys will do whatever makes you happy.”
We had no idea it was her way of saying goodbye.
The next day, there was confusion in the house when Erica and Blake were nowhere to be seen. They’d spent the night in her old bedroom. I’d spent the night on Charlie’s bedroom floor.
“Did you see your sister leave?” asked his mom. We hadn’t. She wasn’t answering her cell either.
Later that day, Charlie and I went to the barn to look for Erica. When we opened the doors, we saw her lying in the arms of Blake on a bed of straw. We put it down to too much vodka.
“We found them,” yelled Charlie. “Wake up, sleepy heads!” As we got closer, we saw an empty bottle of vodka, along with a small empty pot for high-strength sleeping pills, the kind for prescription only.
“Erica,” said Charlie, shaking his sister. She was out cold. “Glen, she’s not breathing!”
Blake started to stir like he was in pain.
“Mr and Mrs Morgan!!” I screamed, running out of the barn.
Erica and Blake were rushed to the hospital. As feared, Erica was dead at the scene. Blake had his stomach pumped and was put in a ward to recover.
“She wanted this,” he managed through god knows what other drugs they had put him on.
“What the fuck do you mean,” said Erica’s dad, grabbing Blake by the front of his smock. He had to be escorted out in tears along with his wife. I sat with Charlie until my parents could come pick me up. We just stared at Blake, this guy who we had thought was so cool, pale with greasy black hair plastered to his face.
“She got in, dudes,” he said.
“”What did she get in?” said Charlie, close to tears. “My sister is dead.”
“But she’s with them now.” He looked up. “Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix…”
“Who are you talking about?” I said.
“Only the greatest to ever live. The 27 Club.” He stepped out of bed, wincing, pulling out the tubes in his arms. I still remember the trickles of blood running down his wrists.
“What the hell is The 27 Club?”
“Strictly members only,” he said. “No admittance to anyone even a day before or after turning 27. I turned two weeks ago, and we were saving it to go together. Forever 27 with the legends.”
He walked to the window. “Say, what floor are we on?”
I shrugged. “Sixth I think.”
He looked out and turned with a grin. “I bet she’s up there partying with Cobain as we speak.” He opened the window,
“Blake,“ said Charlie. “I think you should get back in bed.
“Forever 27 boys,” he said. “See you in a few years.”
He leapt from the window, making Charlie and I cry out in unison. We heard a gruesome thud as he hit something hard. When I braved a peek, he was face down on the roof of an ambulance.
After the events, Charlie became obsessed with “The 27 Club”. When we turned 16, he wanted to form a suicide pact. We would wait until we both turned 27, then end it together.
“These people meant nothing to you,” I said. “When did you ever talk about The Doors, or Jimi Handrix? And everyone has those fucking Nirvana T-Shirts. it means nothing!”
“It’s not just that, Glen,” he said. “It’s honoring my sister. You loved Erica too.”
“I did, but she had problems, Charlie. It’s not even a real club. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s not some amazing club where they’re all living it up in paradise. They're unfortunate coincidences. Plenty of other cool people have died at 26, or 28.”
Before I could react he pulled out a pen knife and sliced open my right palm. I screamed.
“Jesus, what the fuck Charlie!”
He did the same to himself, barely reacted to the pain, then gripped my hand in his.
“Forever 27. We’re bound by blood now, my brother.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” I said, leaving his house. My hand kept slipping on the handle bar of my bike until I got home to patch myself up.
Some years passed, and I’d kept my distance from Charlie. I started college and got a new circle of friends. I remember July 23rd 2011 like it was yesterday. I was 21. Even before Charlie texted me, I knew he would as soon as I heard the news.
Amy Winehouse is dead. She was 27.
The scar on my right palm began to ache. I wasn’t going to contribute to crazy, so I ignored him. I met with my girlfriend Lori and our group of friends for a night out. Of course, Winehouse was the topic of the evening. She had managed to become a cultural phenomenon in such a short amount of time, and her death was genuinely hard hitting. And what better way to celebrate the life of a tortured soul than by keeping the drinks flowing and partaking in the coke our friend Shane had scored.
“Are you guys familiar with the concept of the 27 club?” asked Lori. I swallowed my whisky and cleared my throat.
“Yeah, that’s an exclusive group of celebrities who croaked it at 27, right?” said Shane.
“Exactly,” she said. “Anyone who’s anyone is part of that club.” She held up a glass. “To Amy, and the 27 club!”
“Here here,” said Shane. “May she forever shoot up with my idol, Kurt Cobain, in that big club in the sky.”
“That’s a bit insensitive,” I said. “She literally died hours ago. Have some respect.”
“I’m respecting, buddy,” he said. “This is all for her.”
“Are you OK, Glen,” said Lori. My palm was burning. I ran a finger over the scar and held it up to them.
“I never told you how I got this,” I said. “My childhood best friend, Charlie. His sister killed herself when she was 27. Her boyfriend, too.”
“Shit,” said Shane.
“Charlie did this to me when we were 16. He cut my hand and made us blood brothers. He wanted me to make a suicide pact, that we would end it at 27.”
“Glen, I had no idea,” said Lori.
“I pushed it away,” I said. “I cut all ties with him. But he texted me today, funnily enough, on the day the 27 club gets a new member.”
“I feel awful,” said Shane. “If I’d known, I wouldn't have…”
“Look, it’s fine,” I said. “I’m all for celebrating life or death. I guess I’m just being sensitive. It kind of all came back.”
A few more years passed. Lori and I were married and had a baby boy, Jack. We lived in a house not a million miles away from where I grew up.
One week, I was feeling particularly agitated, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I realized what it was when I spoke to my mom on the phone.
“Will you be seeing Charlie for his birthday?” she asked. “I know you boys don’t see each other as much as you used to, but you were inseparable once upon a time. I hear it’s the big two-seven. He could probably use the support, what with… well, you know.”
“I’ll message him,” I said before saying goodbye. I didn’t want to be a prick, so I kept it polite.
Hey Charlie, I wish you a happy birthday. Maybe we can meet for a drink sometime soon. I’m only like two hours away from our old town. Love, Glen.
About an hour later, I got a notification.
Glen, my brother. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I hear you have a little one of your own now. Me too! Little Joseph. I would love to meet for a drink sometime. You stay in touch. Love, your friend Charlie.
What was most surprising about it was that he didn’t mention his age at all. There was no “I’m 27 now, and you know what that means…” Years of guilt hit me like a sledgehammer to the teeth. I had neglected who was once my most important friend due to an admittedly messed up experience, but clearly one he could have used more support with. I had abandoned him. The scar on my hand burned as if to remind me of the wrong I’d done to him.
A few days later, I reached out again. I suggested we meet at one of our old haunts, but he invited me to his home on account of watching his son. He was still based in our old town and had a nice but modest house.
“Courtesy of the ‘rents,” he said. Charlie’s parents had done rather well for themselves and owned several properties around town. “I’d like you to meet someone.”
There was a basket perched on a wooden frame, and out he pulled a baby wrapped in a blanket. His little eyes were half open.
“This is Joseph. Say hello to your uncle Glen.” He handed Joseph to me, who I awkwardly cradled in my arms until I found the right position.
“He’s the spit of you, Charlie,” I said, looking down at his cute little face. He reached up and grabbed my nose with his sharp baby nails. “Forgot how much that stings,” I said. “Jack is currently enjoying his terrible twos. He’s a bit of a handful for Lori and myself at times.”
“Come sit down,” he said. “How is the old ball and chain?”
I laughed. “She’s actually perfect. I can’t recall a single disagreement we had, other than what to name Jack. She wanted to name him Donald after her grandfather. That wasn’t going to happen.” He laughed. “Where’s your better half, anyway? I don’t think we ever met.”
He looked down. “Suzie. She’s no longer with us. It’s just little Joey and me.”
“Charlie, I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t long after his birth. She just didn’t wake up one morning.” He smiled. “We disagreed about his name, too. I wanted to name him Joseph after Joseph Merrick, more commonly known as “The Elephant Man”. He was the first official member of the 27 club.”
I took in a deep breath as I felt unease set in. “Charlie, you can’t still be obsessed with that club.”
He reached over and took Joseph from me. “Did you hear Anton Yelchin is also a member now? Don’t try and tell me it’s not real.”
“Okay, I’m gonna leave you to it,” I said. “Charlie, promise me you’ll look after yourself and Joseph. You know where I am if you need any help.”
“Appreciated,” he said, laying Joseph down in the basket. “Say, isn’t your birthday coming up soon?”
I gulped. “Yeah, in a few weeks. Lori and I are having a weekend in the Hamptons.” I lied.
“Ah, good for you,” he said. “I hope the weather holds out for you.” He held out his hand palm side up, clearly showing me the scar we shared. “Put it there, brother.”
I firmly yet quickly shook his hand and made my way out of his house.
“He’s still not right,” I said to Lori later that evening. “It’s been over 10 years and he’s still obsessed with that fucking club.”
“Try to be more sensitive, Glen. He lost his sister, and now his wife too. As well as raising a baby on his own. The poor guy is probably so lost right now.”
“I’m trying, Lori. But that little reminder of my birthday didn’t sit right with me. It was like ‘remember what that means’. The thing is, it means nothing to me. I didn't agree to a damn thing! I didn’t ask for this scar!”
She kissed the top of my head. “I’m putting Jack to bed, then taking a bath. Why don’t you listen to one of your podcasts? Take your mind off things.”
“Good idea, honey,” I said. “But not before the tickle monster attacks!” I grabbed Jack and blew raspberries on his belly, which sent him into fits of giggles.
“Okay, that’s enough excitement for one day,” said Lori.
“Give me a hug,” I said to Jack. “Goodnight buddy.”
“Night daddy,” he said, then disappeared upstairs with Lori.
I put in my earbuds and started listening to the latest "How Bizarre" podcast. I was content for all of ten minutes when I started thinking about Charlie.
I opened Google and typed in Charlie Morgan, followed by our hometown. One of the first results was from a local newspaper. The headline was something like “[Redacted] man becomes single father after sudden tragedy.” It mentioned his wife Suzie had passed away from breathing complications during sleep. My heart skipped a beat when I read she was 27 at the time of death. I then started to groan as my scar burned as if freshly cut.
I knew in my heart Charlie was responsible for Suzie’s death. I was turning 27 in just over two weeks. I called my mom.
“You sound agitated, sweetheart,” she said. “What’s the matter?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Charlie’s wife?”
“I did! I mentioned how he’s had a rough go of it in life, but you didn’t seem to be interested. Too occupied with childish rivalries or whatever you call it.”
I felt terrible. “I’m sorry, mother. Did you attend the funeral?”
“I did. Don’t worry, I mentioned how busy you were and you would have been there if you could.”
“Mom, do you think there’s any chance Charlie knows where we live?”
“Would that be a bad thing? You were best friends, after all.”
“Can you just answer me, please?”
“Yes, he knows where you live. Was I not supposed to tell him during his crisis? Should I have read your mind?”
“No, no. I’m sorry, mom. I’m not mad. Look, Lori and I are thinking of going to the Hamptons for my birthday weekend. Would you be able to have Jack?”
“You mean I get to spend the whole weekend with my little Jackie boo?”
That was a 100% yes. When Lori came downstairs after her bath, I grabbed her. She let out a little yelp.
“You haven’t made plans for my birthday, have you?”
“No, not yet. I was thinking of having everyone over for a BBQ, bouncy castle for the kids, bucking bronco for the big kids.”
“How about we get away, just the two of us. Go to the Hamptons and rent a romantic cottage on the beach.”
“How bourgeois,” she chuckled. “Should we rent a garish Lamborghini too?”
I laughed. “If you want? My folks have already said they’ll have Jack for the weekend.”
My birthday came around on a Friday. That morning, Lori drove Jack to my parents’ while I finished packing our weekend bags. Lori has already specifically picked out some fancy dresses to show off to the “douchebags who summer in the Hamptons”. I think she was looking forward to seeing how the other half lived, and making snide remarks behind their backs. I was also in charge of collecting our neon green Lamborghini, which got the whole neighborhood snooping as I pulled it into our driveway.
After an hour or so, Lori hadn’t returned. I just assumed mom and dad were chewing her ears off, so I gave her a call. It went straight to voicemail. so I called my mom instead.
“Is Lori still with you?” I asked. “We kinda need to get on the road.”
“No, sweetheart. We haven’t seen Lori yet.”
My heart dropped. “She left over an hour ago.”
“Oh, my. Maybe she stopped for gas or something.”
“For an hour?”
“Don’t snap at me, Glen. There could be traffic. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying her cell. Please let me know when she gets to you.”
My stomach was in knots as I hung up and tried Lori’s cell again. Three hours of calls and texts later, nothing. I kept checking local traffic news to see if there was congestion, or god forbid an accident.
“Mom, I’m so worried,” I said, calling her back. “Do you think I should call the police?”
“Oh sweetheart, I don’t think they’d do anything after a few hours. Stay positive.”
My mind kept going to Charlie. It was my 27th birthday, after all. I dialled his cell.
“Glen,” he answered. “Happy Birthday, my brother,” I could hear the rumblings of an engine in the background.
“Is this a bad time?” I asked. “Are you driving?”
“Oh no, it’s the perfect time. I’m not driving. But hold on, I’ll just put you on to the driver.”
After a few seconds, I heard her.
“Glen, we’re okay. We’re driving to…”
It was Lori, but she was cut off short. “Okay, that’s enough.”
“What the fuck have you done, Charlie,” I spat down the phone. “You bring my family back now!”
“Do you know how kind your wife is?” he said. “She saw me on the side of the road and stopped to give me a ride. Such a sweetie. She told me all about your little birthday getaway and, well, I had to insist on being there myself. I couldn’t miss your 27th after all.”
My stomach was in knots. “Please Charlie. Please bring them back to me.”
“I think you should come here,” he said. “We'll be at the cottage in around 3 hours or so. I heard you have some wheels of your own. Sounds like you’ll be travelling in style.”
“Charlie,” I pleaded. “I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry for your sister. I’m sorry for abandoning you. Please, just come back to me. Let’s talk about it man to man.”
“You’ll either be there, or not. But if not, I’ve got another little friend who would love to make acquaintances with Lori and Jack.” I heard a click.
“He has a gun, Glen,” said Lori.
“I’m coming. Just don’t hurt them, Charlie. Please. I’m coming.”
“Good. Oh, and no police and all that shit of course. You know how it goes. See you later, brother.”
He hung up. I inhaled a sharp breath and screamed into the house. The first thing I did was collect the handgun we kept on the top shelf of our bedroom closet. Then I went downstairs and spotted a handmade birthday card from Jack on the kitchen counter, with a cupcake next to it. You could see Lori’s influence in the words as she had guided his little hand with a paintbrush.
Happy Birthday to the best daddy in the world
I fought back the tears, shoved the delicious cupcake into my mouth, and got into that ugly assed Lamborghini, putting my foot down and raising my middle finger at the neighborhood watch who shook their fists at me.
It took me 4 hours to reach the cottage in the Hamptons we’d rented on Airbnb. I put the gun down the front of my pants and walked inside, my heart ready to explode. I was greeted by the smell of rich tomato sauce. Lori was sitting at a dining chair, her hands strapped to the sides with thick twine. Charlie was standing over the cooker, stirring a saucepan. I could see a playpen with Jack sitting up playing with toys, and baby Joseph was lying on his back, waving his arms around.
“I’m here,” I said, making my presence known. Lori went from looking terrified to mild relief.
“Oh, I heard that god-awful car pull up,” said Charlie. “Half the neighborhood probably did. You’re just in time. I made pasta.”
“Thanks and all, but I’m not hungry.” I went straight over to Lori. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “No, honey. I’m fine. Jack’s fine, too.”
I kissed her and went over to the playpen. Jack giggled when he saw me, holding up a plastic dinosaur. Joseph clung on to a plush toy of a blue dog.
“Don’t they look so cute together?” said Charlie. “Brothers from a different mother, just like us.”
I pulled the gun from my pants and turned to face Charlie. “You’re not the Charlie I called my best friend for years. You need help. This obsession has gone on long enough. Tell me, did you kill your wife?”
“What?” said Lori from the table.
Charlie grinned. “I forget how clever you are. You were always the brains, helping me with homework and stupid math tests that mean absolutely nothing.”
“I loved you, Charlie. But this is too much. So I’m taking my wife, and I’m taking my son. I think under the circumstances we’ll be taking Joseph, too. I sincerely hope you get the help you need so one day he can have a relationship with his dad.”
I walked over to Lori, but she yelled out “Wait!”
Charlie started to laugh. “Did you think it would be that easy? Just look inside her blouse.”
I peeked inside and saw an electronic device strapped to her chest. It had a numerical display that was counting down. There were 46 minutes remaining.
“If she moves from that spot before the timer runs out, a shot of adrenalin will be pumped into her heart. We’re talking about an insane amount of adrenaline. Enough to knock out an elephant. She simply won’t make it.”
“What do you want from me?” I yelled.
He walked towards me and took the gun from my hand, putting it on the table. Then he held up his scarred palm and held it against mine. That burning sensation came back.
“I want us to share a bottle, then live up to our pact.”
“But I didn’t make the pact!” I screamed. “You forced it on me.”
“Come on, Glen. We owe this to my sister and to Blake. To Basquiat, Winehouse, Morrison, Cobain, Joplin. To all those legends.”
“You’re insane,” I said, pushing him against the wall.
“Careful. All it takes is one little click, and Lori’s heart goes boom! And little Jack and Joey will be left orphans.”
“You’re actually going to take your own life with your baby boy right there?”
He nodded. “I’ve been committed to this since I was 14 years old. If you do exactly what I say, Lori lives. She can take Jack and Joey and be the hero of the story. Now, I checked your birth certificate. You were born at 21:19, which is when you’ll officially turn 27. Lori’s heart device will become useless at 21:30, at which point she can wriggle out of those ropes and get out of here. But not before we’ve taken a special concoction I’ve made to honor my sister.”
My legs went weak, and I had to sit down on the floor. “You actually want me to end my life with you?”
“Forever 27, Glen. You’ll thank me when we’re living it up.”
“Don’t do it, honey,” said Lori.
“Yeah, that’s not an option,” said Charlie. “You see, if he refuses, I’ll put a bullet in his head. Then I’ll watch as your heart explodes.”
I started to cry. I felt so weak, so powerless. But I think the worst thing of all was that Charlie was my friend. We’d be estranged for years, but he was my friend.
“May I kiss my wife?” I asked.
“Of course, I’m not a monster.”
I stood up and walked over to Lori, gently hugging her. I could feel the metallic device against my chest as I kissed her.
“Don’t do this,” she said, tears streaming.
“I love you, Lori. Look after our boy.”
I went over to the playpen and picked up Jack, who looked so oblivious to everything.
“Dadda,” he said, gently patting my face.
“I love you, Jack,” I said, kissing his cheek. He wiped his cheek like it was the most disgusting thing he’d experienced. “Look after mamma.”
I reached down and stroked little Joseph’s face. “I wish things could have been different for you, little one.”
“Alright, we get it,” said Charlie. “Outside, now.”
Despite the disturbing situation I found myself in, the night was beautiful. A dinner table had been set up on the deck behind the cottage. There was a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. The moon was low, the temperature mild, the sounds of the ocean gentle. It was supposed to be me and Lori, enjoying a meal and maybe a spot of love making on the dunes like we were teenagers again.
“Sit down,” he said. “I’ve waited weeks for this. I almost did it without you, but my scar burned like a motherfucker. Do you ever get that?”
I shrugged as I sat down.
“Yeah, you do. It’s because we’re connected.”
He poured two whiskeys and pushed one towards me. I didn’t hesitate, downing it in one go, shuddering a little at the afterburn.
“That’s good shit,” I said.
“It’s gotta be the best,” he said. “It’s a 10 year old single malt.”
I pushed out my glass for another, which he obliged.
“Suppose I’d better catch up.” He downed it and checked his watch. “21:15. Now’s as good a time as any.”
He pulled out a glass vial from his pocket containing a clear liquid. “This is a highly concentrated mix of Zaleplon, Valium, Klonopin, and ethanol.” He opened it and poured half into my glass, and the other half into his. “The beauty is we’ll probably be asleep before any of the nasty side effects take hold.”
I took a deep breath and downed some whiskey straight from the bottle.
“Gimme that,” he said and did the same. He then pulled out his gun and placed it on the table. I could feel tears streaming down my face.
“You were my brother, Charlie,” I said. “How could you do this to me?”
“Because I love you,” he said. “You and I, forever 27. I can’t think of anything more beautiful than that.”
He looked at his watch again and beamed. “21:19. It’s officially your birthday, Glen. Welcome to 27! Oh, how I’ve waited for this.”
“Please, Charlie. Think of Jack. Think of Joseph. He needs his daddy.”
He picked up the gun. “Drink it.”
I picked up the glass and swirled the clear mixture around. The smell was like pure alcohol. Then I looked to the sky, the moon, the stars, and the ocean.
“To Lori and to Jack,” I said, downing the mixture. It burned like freshly boiled water as it went down, making me clutch my throat. As soon as it reached my stomach, it was like a suckerpunch to the gut. I stumbled off the chair and fell to the ground, clutching my belly.
“I’m coming, brother,” said Charlie, picking up his glass. But before he could take a sip, a gunshot sounded out. I heard the glass smash on the ground and had enough time to see a single trickle of blood drip down his forehead before he collapsed. Then I passed out.
A week later, I was awake in a hospital bed. It turns out my wife is a genius. She figured out that if she could force something between her chest and the adrenaline shot, she’d be able to move freely. So, while Charlie and I were sitting outside, Lori freed her hands (Charlie was no expert when it came to knots, apparently) and wedged a dinner plate against her chest. When the device activated, it shattered the plate, causing a small cut to her chest, but otherwise leaving her unharmed. She then used my gun, which Charlie had left on the table to shoot him in the head.
It wasn’t a fatal shot, though, just enough to render him unconscious. He was being kept on a different floor in the hospital. On the day of my release, I went to see him. He had tubes coming out of his arms, mouth, and thighs. Despite what he’s put me through, it gave me no pleasure to see him that way,
We’ve become temporary guardians to Joseph Morgan, Charlie's son. Though we’re fighting for custody. Charlie’s parents, who are his next of kin, are really too old to be looking after a baby. We always said we wanted two kids, and he’s as sweet as pie. Jack has taken a shine to him, too.
Charlie remained on life support. There was always a police officer sitting outside his room, but I visited regularly. He could sometimes communicate with his hands and eyes. Speech was usually slurred. But I know in my heart he used every fibre of energy left in his body to communicate with me on one special day.
The day before he turned 28.
I was reading “Of Mice and Men” to him. It was a book we’d studied at school and had meant a lot to us at the time, having got us both B grades on our assignments. Mid speech, I was interrupted by his hand on my wrist. He gripped it tighter than I thought he could. I looked into his eyes, my breath frozen. They were wide. Pleading. There were already several birthday cards dotted around the room reminding him of what was about to happen.
“Ple…” his lips parted to try and speak. I could see tears forming in his eyes. I put the book down and leaned closer.
“Charlie, what is it?”
“Glen… you have to…”
I knew what he wanted to say. “Charlie, please don’t ask that of me.”
“Please!” he said. “Forever… 27.”
I looked around the room. It was empty, but the door was open. A cop was sitting outside like usual. I stood up and slowly closed the door, wedging a chair under the handle. I went back to Charlie.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
He lifted a trembling hand to my face and nodded. “I’m sorry, Brother.”
I started to cry as I kissed his cheek. Then I found the mains plug, pulling it out of the wall. I held his hand as he started to convulse, and alarms started sounding through the halls. The cop was knocking on the door, trying to force himself in. By the time the cop and two nurses had got into the room, Charlie was dead.
His parents took me to court. I spent six months in prison before the judge dismissed the case.
Charlie got his wish; he became a member of the 27 club. I hope it’s everything he wanted it to be.

It all started the day we found Charlie’s sister in the barn.
Erica had returned to our little town from the city to celebrate her 27th birthday. She was sporting a nose ring and had choppy black hair. She had brought her boyfriend Blake with her, with his long black hair and dark wayfarers. Charlie and I were 14 at the time and thought they looked like rock stars.
Their parents had arranged a party on the grounds of their property. Charlie and I had our first taste of alcohol that night and coughed our guts up when Erica and Blake let us take drags of their cigarettes.
“I love you, Chaz,” said Erica, her arms around Charlie and me. “You too, Glen. Promise me you boys will do whatever makes you happy.”
We had no idea it was her way of saying goodbye.
The next day, there was confusion in the house when Erica and Blake were nowhere to be seen. They’d spent the night in her old bedroom. I’d spent the night on Charlie’s bedroom floor.
“Did you see your sister leave?” asked his mom. We hadn’t. She wasn’t answering her cell either.
Later that day, Charlie and I went to the barn to look for Erica. When we opened the doors, we saw her lying in the arms of Blake on a bed of straw. We put it down to too much vodka.
“We found them,” yelled Charlie. “Wake up, sleepy heads!” As we got closer, we saw an empty bottle of vodka, along with a small empty pot for high-strength sleeping pills, the kind for prescription only.
“Erica,” said Charlie, shaking his sister. She was out cold. “Glen, she’s not breathing!”
Blake started to stir like he was in pain.
“Mr and Mrs Morgan!!” I screamed, running out of the barn.
Erica and Blake were rushed to the hospital. As feared, Erica was dead at the scene. Blake had his stomach pumped and was put in a ward to recover.
“She wanted this,” he managed through god knows what other drugs they had put him on.
“What the fuck do you mean,” said Erica’s dad, grabbing Blake by the front of his smock. He had to be escorted out in tears along with his wife. I sat with Charlie until my parents could come pick me up. We just stared at Blake, this guy who we had thought was so cool, pale with greasy black hair plastered to his face.
“She got in, dudes,” he said.
“”What did she get in?” said Charlie, close to tears. “My sister is dead.”
“But she’s with them now.” He looked up. “Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix…”
“Who are you talking about?” I said.
“Only the greatest to ever live. The 27 Club.” He stepped out of bed, wincing, pulling out the tubes in his arms. I still remember the trickles of blood running down his wrists.
“What the hell is The 27 Club?”
“Strictly members only,” he said. “No admittance to anyone even a day before or after turning 27. I turned two weeks ago, and we were saving it to go together. Forever 27 with the legends.”
He walked to the window. “Say, what floor are we on?”
I shrugged. “Sixth I think.”
He looked out and turned with a grin. “I bet she’s up there partying with Cobain as we speak.” He opened the window,
“Blake,“ said Charlie. “I think you should get back in bed.
“Forever 27 boys,” he said. “See you in a few years.”
He leapt from the window, making Charlie and I cry out in unison. We heard a gruesome thud as he hit something hard. When I braved a peek, he was face down on the roof of an ambulance.
After the events, Charlie became obsessed with “The 27 Club”. When we turned 16, he wanted to form a suicide pact. We would wait until we both turned 27, then end it together.
“These people meant nothing to you,” I said. “When did you ever talk about The Doors, or Jimi Handrix? And everyone has those fucking Nirvana T-Shirts. it means nothing!”
“It’s not just that, Glen,” he said. “It’s honoring my sister. You loved Erica too.”
“I did, but she had problems, Charlie. It’s not even a real club. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s not some amazing club where they’re all living it up in paradise. They're unfortunate coincidences. Plenty of other cool people have died at 26, or 28.”
Before I could react he pulled out a pen knife and sliced open my right palm. I screamed.
“Jesus, what the fuck Charlie!”
He did the same to himself, barely reacted to the pain, then gripped my hand in his.
“Forever 27. We’re bound by blood now, my brother.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” I said, leaving his house. My hand kept slipping on the handle bar of my bike until I got home to patch myself up.
Some years passed, and I’d kept my distance from Charlie. I started college and got a new circle of friends. I remember July 23rd 2011 like it was yesterday. I was 21. Even before Charlie texted me, I knew he would as soon as I heard the news.
Amy Winehouse is dead. She was 27.
The scar on my right palm began to ache. I wasn’t going to contribute to crazy, so I ignored him. I met with my girlfriend Lori and our group of friends for a night out. Of course, Winehouse was the topic of the evening. She had managed to become a cultural phenomenon in such a short amount of time, and her death was genuinely hard hitting. And what better way to celebrate the life of a tortured soul than by keeping the drinks flowing and partaking in the coke our friend Shane had scored.
“Are you guys familiar with the concept of the 27 club?” asked Lori. I swallowed my whisky and cleared my throat.
“Yeah, that’s an exclusive group of celebrities who croaked it at 27, right?” said Shane.
“Exactly,” she said. “Anyone who’s anyone is part of that club.” She held up a glass. “To Amy, and the 27 club!”
“Here here,” said Shane. “May she forever shoot up with my idol, Kurt Cobain, in that big club in the sky.”
“That’s a bit insensitive,” I said. “She literally died hours ago. Have some respect.”
“I’m respecting, buddy,” he said. “This is all for her.”
“Are you OK, Glen,” said Lori. My palm was burning. I ran a finger over the scar and held it up to them.
“I never told you how I got this,” I said. “My childhood best friend, Charlie. His sister killed herself when she was 27. Her boyfriend, too.”
“Shit,” said Shane.
“Charlie did this to me when we were 16. He cut my hand and made us blood brothers. He wanted me to make a suicide pact, that we would end it at 27.”
“Glen, I had no idea,” said Lori.
“I pushed it away,” I said. “I cut all ties with him. But he texted me today, funnily enough, on the day the 27 club gets a new member.”
“I feel awful,” said Shane. “If I’d known, I wouldn't have…”
“Look, it’s fine,” I said. “I’m all for celebrating life or death. I guess I’m just being sensitive. It kind of all came back.”
A few more years passed. Lori and I were married and had a baby boy, Jack. We lived in a house not a million miles away from where I grew up.
One week, I was feeling particularly agitated, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I realized what it was when I spoke to my mom on the phone.
“Will you be seeing Charlie for his birthday?” she asked. “I know you boys don’t see each other as much as you used to, but you were inseparable once upon a time. I hear it’s the big two-seven. He could probably use the support, what with… well, you know.”
“I’ll message him,” I said before saying goodbye. I didn’t want to be a prick, so I kept it polite.
Hey Charlie, I wish you a happy birthday. Maybe we can meet for a drink sometime soon. I’m only like two hours away from our old town. Love, Glen.
About an hour later, I got a notification.
Glen, my brother. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I hear you have a little one of your own now. Me too! Little Joseph. I would love to meet for a drink sometime. You stay in touch. Love, your friend Charlie.
What was most surprising about it was that he didn’t mention his age at all. There was no “I’m 27 now, and you know what that means…” Years of guilt hit me like a sledgehammer to the teeth. I had neglected who was once my most important friend due to an admittedly messed up experience, but clearly one he could have used more support with. I had abandoned him. The scar on my hand burned as if to remind me of the wrong I’d done to him.
A few days later, I reached out again. I suggested we meet at one of our old haunts, but he invited me to his home on account of watching his son. He was still based in our old town and had a nice but modest house.
“Courtesy of the ‘rents,” he said. Charlie’s parents had done rather well for themselves and owned several properties around town. “I’d like you to meet someone.”
There was a basket perched on a wooden frame, and out he pulled a baby wrapped in a blanket. His little eyes were half open.
“This is Joseph. Say hello to your uncle Glen.” He handed Joseph to me, who I awkwardly cradled in my arms until I found the right position.
“He’s the spit of you, Charlie,” I said, looking down at his cute little face. He reached up and grabbed my nose with his sharp baby nails. “Forgot how much that stings,” I said. “Jack is currently enjoying his terrible twos. He’s a bit of a handful for Lori and myself at times.”
“Come sit down,” he said. “How is the old ball and chain?”
I laughed. “She’s actually perfect. I can’t recall a single disagreement we had, other than what to name Jack. She wanted to name him Donald after her grandfather. That wasn’t going to happen.” He laughed. “Where’s your better half, anyway? I don’t think we ever met.”
He looked down. “Suzie. She’s no longer with us. It’s just little Joey and me.”
“Charlie, I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t long after his birth. She just didn’t wake up one morning.” He smiled. “We disagreed about his name, too. I wanted to name him Joseph after Joseph Merrick, more commonly known as “The Elephant Man”. He was the first official member of the 27 club.”
I took in a deep breath as I felt unease set in. “Charlie, you can’t still be obsessed with that club.”
He reached over and took Joseph from me. “Did you hear Anton Yelchin is also a member now? Don’t try and tell me it’s not real.”
“Okay, I’m gonna leave you to it,” I said. “Charlie, promise me you’ll look after yourself and Joseph. You know where I am if you need any help.”
“Appreciated,” he said, laying Joseph down in the basket. “Say, isn’t your birthday coming up soon?”
I gulped. “Yeah, in a few weeks. Lori and I are having a weekend in the Hamptons.” I lied.
“Ah, good for you,” he said. “I hope the weather holds out for you.” He held out his hand palm side up, clearly showing me the scar we shared. “Put it there, brother.”
I firmly yet quickly shook his hand and made my way out of his house.
“He’s still not right,” I said to Lori later that evening. “It’s been over 10 years and he’s still obsessed with that fucking club.”
“Try to be more sensitive, Glen. He lost his sister, and now his wife too. As well as raising a baby on his own. The poor guy is probably so lost right now.”
“I’m trying, Lori. But that little reminder of my birthday didn’t sit right with me. It was like ‘remember what that means’. The thing is, it means nothing to me. I didn't agree to a damn thing! I didn’t ask for this scar!”
She kissed the top of my head. “I’m putting Jack to bed, then taking a bath. Why don’t you listen to one of your podcasts? Take your mind off things.”
“Good idea, honey,” I said. “But not before the tickle monster attacks!” I grabbed Jack and blew raspberries on his belly, which sent him into fits of giggles.
“Okay, that’s enough excitement for one day,” said Lori.
“Give me a hug,” I said to Jack. “Goodnight buddy.”
“Night daddy,” he said, then disappeared upstairs with Lori.
I put in my earbuds and started listening to the latest "How Bizarre" podcast. I was content for all of ten minutes when I started thinking about Charlie.
I opened Google and typed in Charlie Morgan, followed by our hometown. One of the first results was from a local newspaper. The headline was something like “[Redacted] man becomes single father after sudden tragedy.” It mentioned his wife Suzie had passed away from breathing complications during sleep. My heart skipped a beat when I read she was 27 at the time of death. I then started to groan as my scar burned as if freshly cut.
I knew in my heart Charlie was responsible for Suzie’s death. I was turning 27 in just over two weeks. I called my mom.
“You sound agitated, sweetheart,” she said. “What’s the matter?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Charlie’s wife?”
“I did! I mentioned how he’s had a rough go of it in life, but you didn’t seem to be interested. Too occupied with childish rivalries or whatever you call it.”
I felt terrible. “I’m sorry, mother. Did you attend the funeral?”
“I did. Don’t worry, I mentioned how busy you were and you would have been there if you could.”
“Mom, do you think there’s any chance Charlie knows where we live?”
“Would that be a bad thing? You were best friends, after all.”
“Can you just answer me, please?”
“Yes, he knows where you live. Was I not supposed to tell him during his crisis? Should I have read your mind?”
“No, no. I’m sorry, mom. I’m not mad. Look, Lori and I are thinking of going to the Hamptons for my birthday weekend. Would you be able to have Jack?”
“You mean I get to spend the whole weekend with my little Jackie boo?”
That was a 100% yes. When Lori came downstairs after her bath, I grabbed her. She let out a little yelp.
“You haven’t made plans for my birthday, have you?”
“No, not yet. I was thinking of having everyone over for a BBQ, bouncy castle for the kids, bucking bronco for the big kids.”
“How about we get away, just the two of us. Go to the Hamptons and rent a romantic cottage on the beach.”
“How bourgeois,” she chuckled. “Should we rent a garish Lamborghini too?”
I laughed. “If you want? My folks have already said they’ll have Jack for the weekend.”
My birthday came around on a Friday. That morning, Lori drove Jack to my parents’ while I finished packing our weekend bags. Lori has already specifically picked out some fancy dresses to show off to the “douchebags who summer in the Hamptons”. I think she was looking forward to seeing how the other half lived, and making snide remarks behind their backs. I was also in charge of collecting our neon green Lamborghini, which got the whole neighborhood snooping as I pulled it into our driveway.
After an hour or so, Lori hadn’t returned. I just assumed mom and dad were chewing her ears off, so I gave her a call. It went straight to voicemail. so I called my mom instead.
“Is Lori still with you?” I asked. “We kinda need to get on the road.”
“No, sweetheart. We haven’t seen Lori yet.”
My heart dropped. “She left over an hour ago.”
“Oh, my. Maybe she stopped for gas or something.”
“For an hour?”
“Don’t snap at me, Glen. There could be traffic. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying her cell. Please let me know when she gets to you.”
My stomach was in knots as I hung up and tried Lori’s cell again. Three hours of calls and texts later, nothing. I kept checking local traffic news to see if there was congestion, or god forbid an accident.
“Mom, I’m so worried,” I said, calling her back. “Do you think I should call the police?”
“Oh sweetheart, I don’t think they’d do anything after a few hours. Stay positive.”
My mind kept going to Charlie. It was my 27th birthday, after all. I dialled his cell.
“Glen,” he answered. “Happy Birthday, my brother,” I could hear the rumblings of an engine in the background.
“Is this a bad time?” I asked. “Are you driving?”
“Oh no, it’s the perfect time. I’m not driving. But hold on, I’ll just put you on to the driver.”
After a few seconds, I heard her.
“Glen, we’re okay. We’re driving to…”
It was Lori, but she was cut off short. “Okay, that’s enough.”
“What the fuck have you done, Charlie,” I spat down the phone. “You bring my family back now!”
“Do you know how kind your wife is?” he said. “She saw me on the side of the road and stopped to give me a ride. Such a sweetie. She told me all about your little birthday getaway and, well, I had to insist on being there myself. I couldn’t miss your 27th after all.”
My stomach was in knots. “Please Charlie. Please bring them back to me.”
“I think you should come here,” he said. “We'll be at the cottage in around 3 hours or so. I heard you have some wheels of your own. Sounds like you’ll be travelling in style.”
“Charlie,” I pleaded. “I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry for your sister. I’m sorry for abandoning you. Please, just come back to me. Let’s talk about it man to man.”
“You’ll either be there, or not. But if not, I’ve got another little friend who would love to make acquaintances with Lori and Jack.” I heard a click.
“He has a gun, Glen,” said Lori.
“I’m coming. Just don’t hurt them, Charlie. Please. I’m coming.”
“Good. Oh, and no police and all that shit of course. You know how it goes. See you later, brother.”
He hung up. I inhaled a sharp breath and screamed into the house. The first thing I did was collect the handgun we kept on the top shelf of our bedroom closet. Then I went downstairs and spotted a handmade birthday card from Jack on the kitchen counter, with a cupcake next to it. You could see Lori’s influence in the words as she had guided his little hand with a paintbrush.
Happy Birthday to the best daddy in the world
I fought back the tears, shoved the delicious cupcake into my mouth, and got into that ugly assed Lamborghini, putting my foot down and raising my middle finger at the neighborhood watch who shook their fists at me.
It took me 4 hours to reach the cottage in the Hamptons we’d rented on Airbnb. I put the gun down the front of my pants and walked inside, my heart ready to explode. I was greeted by the smell of rich tomato sauce. Lori was sitting at a dining chair, her hands strapped to the sides with thick twine. Charlie was standing over the cooker, stirring a saucepan. I could see a playpen with Jack sitting up playing with toys, and baby Joseph was lying on his back, waving his arms around.
“I’m here,” I said, making my presence known. Lori went from looking terrified to mild relief.
“Oh, I heard that god-awful car pull up,” said Charlie. “Half the neighborhood probably did. You’re just in time. I made pasta.”
“Thanks and all, but I’m not hungry.” I went straight over to Lori. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “No, honey. I’m fine. Jack’s fine, too.”
I kissed her and went over to the playpen. Jack giggled when he saw me, holding up a plastic dinosaur. Joseph clung on to a plush toy of a blue dog.
“Don’t they look so cute together?” said Charlie. “Brothers from a different mother, just like us.”
I pulled the gun from my pants and turned to face Charlie. “You’re not the Charlie I called my best friend for years. You need help. This obsession has gone on long enough. Tell me, did you kill your wife?”
“What?” said Lori from the table.
Charlie grinned. “I forget how clever you are. You were always the brains, helping me with homework and stupid math tests that mean absolutely nothing.”
“I loved you, Charlie. But this is too much. So I’m taking my wife, and I’m taking my son. I think under the circumstances we’ll be taking Joseph, too. I sincerely hope you get the help you need so one day he can have a relationship with his dad.”
I walked over to Lori, but she yelled out “Wait!”
Charlie started to laugh. “Did you think it would be that easy? Just look inside her blouse.”
I peeked inside and saw an electronic device strapped to her chest. It had a numerical display that was counting down. There were 46 minutes remaining.
“If she moves from that spot before the timer runs out, a shot of adrenalin will be pumped into her heart. We’re talking about an insane amount of adrenaline. Enough to knock out an elephant. She simply won’t make it.”
“What do you want from me?” I yelled.
He walked towards me and took the gun from my hand, putting it on the table. Then he held up his scarred palm and held it against mine. That burning sensation came back.
“I want us to share a bottle, then live up to our pact.”
“But I didn’t make the pact!” I screamed. “You forced it on me.”
“Come on, Glen. We owe this to my sister and to Blake. To Basquiat, Winehouse, Morrison, Cobain, Joplin. To all those legends.”
“You’re insane,” I said, pushing him against the wall.
“Careful. All it takes is one little click, and Lori’s heart goes boom! And little Jack and Joey will be left orphans.”
“You’re actually going to take your own life with your baby boy right there?”
He nodded. “I’ve been committed to this since I was 14 years old. If you do exactly what I say, Lori lives. She can take Jack and Joey and be the hero of the story. Now, I checked your birth certificate. You were born at 21:19, which is when you’ll officially turn 27. Lori’s heart device will become useless at 21:30, at which point she can wriggle out of those ropes and get out of here. But not before we’ve taken a special concoction I’ve made to honor my sister.”
My legs went weak, and I had to sit down on the floor. “You actually want me to end my life with you?”
“Forever 27, Glen. You’ll thank me when we’re living it up.”
“Don’t do it, honey,” said Lori.
“Yeah, that’s not an option,” said Charlie. “You see, if he refuses, I’ll put a bullet in his head. Then I’ll watch as your heart explodes.”
I started to cry. I felt so weak, so powerless. But I think the worst thing of all was that Charlie was my friend. We’d been estranged for years, but he was my friend.
“May I kiss my wife?” I asked.
“Of course, I’m not a monster.”
I stood up and walked over to Lori, gently hugging her. I could feel the metallic device against my chest as I kissed her.
“Don’t do this,” she said, tears streaming.
“I love you, Lori. Look after our boy.”
I went over to the playpen and picked up Jack, who looked so oblivious to everything.
“Dadda,” he said, gently patting my face.
“I love you, Jack,” I said, kissing his cheek. He wiped his cheek like it was the most disgusting thing he’d experienced. “Look after mamma.”
I reached down and stroked little Joseph’s face. “I wish things could have been different for you, little one.”
“Alright, we get it,” said Charlie. “Outside, now.”
Despite the disturbing situation I found myself in, the night was beautiful. A dinner table had been set up on the deck behind the cottage. There was a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. The moon was low, the temperature mild, the sounds of the ocean gentle. It was supposed to be me and Lori, enjoying a meal and maybe a spot of love making on the dunes like we were teenagers again.
“Sit down,” he said. “I’ve waited weeks for this. I almost did it without you, but my scar burned like a motherfucker. Do you ever get that?”
I shrugged as I sat down.
“Yeah, you do. It’s because we’re connected.”
He poured two whiskeys and pushed one towards me. I didn’t hesitate, downing it in one go, shuddering a little at the afterburn.
“That’s good shit,” I said.
“It’s gotta be the best,” he said. “It’s a 10 year old single malt.”
I pushed out my glass for another, which he obliged.
“Suppose I’d better catch up.” He downed it and checked his watch. “21:15. Now’s as good a time as any.”
He pulled out a glass vial from his pocket containing a clear liquid. “This is a highly concentrated mix of Zaleplon, Valium, Klonopin, and ethanol.” He opened it and poured half into my glass, and the other half into his. “The beauty is we’ll probably be asleep before any of the nasty side effects take hold.”
I took a deep breath and downed some whiskey straight from the bottle.
“Gimme that,” he said and did the same. He then pulled out his gun and placed it on the table. I could feel tears streaming down my face.
“You were my brother, Charlie,” I said. “How could you do this to me?”
“Because I love you,” he said. “You and I, forever 27. I can’t think of anything more beautiful than that.”
He looked at his watch again and beamed. “21:19. It’s officially your birthday, Glen. Welcome to 27! Oh, how I’ve waited for this.”
“Please, Charlie. Think of Jack. Think of Joseph. He needs his daddy.”
He picked up the gun. “Drink it.”
I picked up the glass and swirled the clear mixture around. The smell was like pure alcohol. Then I looked to the sky, the moon, the stars, and the ocean.
“To Lori and to Jack,” I said, downing the mixture. It burned like freshly boiled water as it went down, making me clutch my throat. As soon as it reached my stomach, it was like a suckerpunch to the gut. I stumbled off the chair and fell to the ground, clutching my belly.
“I’m coming, brother,” said Charlie, picking up his glass. But before he could take a sip, a gunshot sounded out. I heard the glass smash on the ground and had enough time to see a single trickle of blood drip down his forehead before he collapsed. Then I passed out.
A week later, I was awake in a hospital bed. It turns out my wife is a genius. She figured out that if she could force something between her chest and the adrenaline shot, she’d be able to move freely. So, while Charlie and I were sitting outside, Lori freed her hands (Charlie was no expert when it came to knots, apparently) and wedged a dinner plate against her chest. When the device activated, it shattered the plate, causing a small cut to her chest, but otherwise leaving her unharmed. She then used my gun, which Charlie had left on the table to shoot him in the head.
It wasn’t a fatal shot, though, just enough to render him unconscious. He was being kept on a different floor in the hospital. On the day of my release, I went to see him. He had tubes coming out of his arms, mouth, and thighs. Despite what he’s put me through, it gave me no pleasure to see him that way,
We’ve become temporary guardians to Joseph Morgan, Charlie's son. Though we’re fighting for custody. Charlie’s parents, who are his next of kin, are really too old to be looking after a baby. We always said we wanted two kids, and he’s as sweet as pie. Jack has taken a shine to him, too.
Charlie remained on life support. There was always a police officer sitting outside his room, but I visited regularly. He could sometimes communicate with his hands and eyes. Speech was usually slurred. But I know in my heart he used every fibre of energy left in his body to communicate with me on one special day.
The day before he turned 28.
I was reading “Of Mice and Men” to him. It was a book we’d studied at school and had meant a lot to us at the time, having got us both B grades on our assignments. Mid speech, I was interrupted by his hand on my wrist. He gripped it tighter than I thought he could. I looked into his eyes, my breath frozen. They were wide. Pleading. There were already several birthday cards dotted around the room reminding him of what was about to happen.
“Ple…” his lips parted to try and speak. I could see tears forming in his eyes. I put the book down and leaned closer.
“Charlie, what is it?”
“Glen… you have to…”
I knew what he wanted to say. “Charlie, please don’t ask that of me.”
“Please!” he said. “Forever… 27.”
I looked around the room. It was empty, but the door was open. A cop was sitting outside like usual. I stood up and slowly closed the door, wedging a chair under the handle. I went back to Charlie.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
He lifted a trembling hand to my face and nodded. “I’m sorry, Brother.”
I started to cry as I kissed his cheek. Then I found the mains plug, pulling it out of the wall. I held his hand as he started to convulse, and alarms started sounding through the halls. The cop was knocking on the door, trying to force himself in. By the time the cop and two nurses had got into the room, Charlie was dead.
His parents took me to court. I spent six months in prison before the judge dismissed the case.
Charlie got his wish; he became a member of the 27 club. I hope it’s everything he wanted it to be
Edit: For those who don't understand why I did what I did, Charlie was my best friend for a lot of years. One final act of kindness felt right to me, regardless of what he'd done to me. I wouldn't even want to see my worst enemy kept alive with wires and synthetic breathing apparatus.

I have been dating him for the past 5 months and till the first 3 months, everything was good between us like it is in the initial phases of a relationship. We both are in our final year and he has some academic backlogs because of which he has been stressed abd since then there have been some problems in our relationship. Since the end of March till today's date, we have only met thrice, we hardly even get on call because he's busy with classes and projects and all our conversations are serious these days
since end of March he had been mentioning his ex girlfriend a lot. He used to constantly tell me how much effort He had put into their relationship ( which was 5 years ago) but they had to end it because her parents were super strict and how he had a very hard time moving on from that. He said he wasn't ready for relationship until he met me because he has been scared of getting into one since that breakup which I totally understand. Our relationship was also on the verge of breaking up because he said that he wants to focus on his career and relationship is not a priority for him. What j feel is, constantly reminding me about how much effort he had put into their relationship.. doesn't look nice. ( at least to me)
He used to call me all sorts of cute words since the start of our relationship and infact he was the one who started calling me "babe" "baby". I wished him "Goodnight babe" yesterday night and he responded with with " i love you good night" and hearts. I just joking texted him "at least call me babe/baby mannnn" He responded by saying "that doesn't look good, calling you by your nickname is better" so i asked him "why does it not look good" he said " i dont have a habit of calling someone baby/babe" . Later after a bit of conversation he said " im sorry i cant call you that because i used to use that word a lot for my ex"
Tbh I didn't have any problem with not being called "baby" I only had a problem with the reason he gave me. Made me feel like he is stuck in the past. Isnt baby just a word? When I brought this concern up his replies were" yeah I'm still stuck in the past, happy?" , "think whatever you want to think I don't care" , " I'm telling you last time please don't irritate me so much" , " I was already hyper because of my exams and now I'm more hyper because of these texts ".. and I just dont know anymore. We don't meet or get on calls. We have met only thrice since march so reassuring me that he still loves me, saying cute things on texts or being romantic over text is the least that can be done since we are apart, i feel.
TL;DR: boyfriend has been mentioning his ex a lot and how much effort he had put for her, how his whole world used to revolve around her. He dosent want to use "baby" because he thinks that it is weird to call me that because he used to use that when he was in a relationship with his ex (5 years ago) Is that a valid reason to give?