"I'm gay."

Two words in just two seconds were all it took for my best friend to completely change in front of my eyes after seven years of friendship. I couldn't utter a reply. I know he was expecting me to say or ask something but I just kept staring at him like a mindless baboon. It was like I'm experiencing an existential crisis. Is this real? How? Why? When? My insides were screaming out.

"When.. did you re-realize?" I managed to choke out.

"Since I was 12 years old. I tried to stop this feelings. I was confused for a very long time. I thought it was because my Dad left when my parents separated. I had no father figure to follow and my Mom and my Grandmother are all I have left. Marsh, you know it ruined my childhood. I feel lost. I still don't know. All I'm certain is that I have feelings for John. Please understand me."

I took hold of his hand and gripped it tightly. As I gazed on his eyes, I saw the lost and sad boy within. I remembered the times we spent hours of talking in hushed tones while he said how much he missed his parents together, how he's angry at his father for abandoning them and his mom neglecting him. This time was no exception. I cleared my throat and said,

"I'm here."