Washington DC by pigeons planet on google maps
Twenty years he held to that lie. Twenty years and not a slip in his words. Until his dear “friend” died.
Told me he was going to Washington to see his mother, who was ailing. In truth, he went shark fishing with his “friend” off the coast of Florida.
Why did he lie? There wasn’t the need. We’d only just met; I’d have understood that his arrangement with his “friend” took precedence over me.
And then it slipped out, the day he received the news. I bit my lip, I turned away. His “friend” had been gay.
97 words, written for What Pegman Saw: Washington DC
crispina kemp 
It’s a sad set of stories, and it’s good to remember what the community has struggled through and what issues still remain. Good on you.
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I thank you.
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It’s so heartbreaking to think of all the people unable to be honest about who they love–who they are– for fear of social ostracism or worse.
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Yea. I wasn’t going to do this Pegman. What do I know about Washington. And then an anecdote I remembered from way back, which just happened to be set in Washingtion. So I thought I’d go for it. Thanks for liking
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Dear Crispina,
How sad that he felt he had to lie. Nicely told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I think there are many layers to this.
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Wonderfully written. A tale that’s all too familiar and still pulls a poignant tug.
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I thank you. I was a tad hesitant but… iI’m glad it’s been well received
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The friend in quotes gives us a certain clue there is something up with said “friend”… And it is sad that in this day and age, they still feel the need to lie…
Well done, Madam!
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I thank you, Dale. In this day and age there is aids. Infidelity hits the harder
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As if just the infidelity weren’t enough…
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But was it infidelity? They’d only just must. Now 20 years on, she’s thinking…
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You’re the one who said it was!
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Yes and no. And forgive the typo. That’s met, not must.
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LOL! All good.
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🙂
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How sad he felt the need to lie. This was reality for all too many LGBTQ and is still reality for all too many of them. You captured the confusion, sadness, and realization well.
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I thank you. It’s not my usual stuff. I was hesitant of hitting the button.
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Glad you had! Stretching out of one’s comfort zone is good creativity elixir … 😉
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Yea. It’s the second time I’ve stepped outside., Gosh. Whar’s happening?
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You getting stretchy? 😉
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Do you think it the beginning of a trend? 🙂
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Anything is possible … 😉
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Yay!
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Well done Crispina. I once wrote a poem about how love comes in many shapes and sizes. “Love is Love” as they say. FIVE STARS! out of Five for you ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and your story!
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Thanks Jen. An unusual subject for me. 🙂
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But not an unusual subject generally 🙂
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No, not at all.
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You capture this so well–both how sad it is for one to live a lie and the senselessness of it. Great take.
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I thank you, Karen 🙂
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