There will always be voices who twist stories , who mistake kindness for weakness, boundaries for betrayal, and control for care. I won’t name them, because I believe time and truth speak louder than accusations.
What I will say is this: I stand beside those who are vulnerable not because it’s convenient, but because it’s right. I support those who’ve been hurt, misrepresented, or made to feel small for speaking out , including those who’ve once trusted the wrong people, as I have.
Sometimes, walking away from harm is painted as betrayal. But real loyalty isn’t submission , it’s integrity, even when it costs you something.
To anyone who’s ever felt silenced, manipulated, or shamed for setting healthy boundaries: you are not alone. You’re not dramatic, disloyal, or broken. You’re learning to value your peace. And that’s not a flaw , that’s growth.
The truth doesn't need defending , it only needs to be lived.
He was bouncing on his toes in childlike excitement, waiting for Tucker to finish breakfast so that they could meet up. He had the biggest news, the best news! The few minutes it took Tucker to get out the door felt like an eternity to Danny.
He waved to Mrs. Foley as she called out, “You boys have a good time, but don’t get into any trouble!” Getting into any sort of trouble was the furthest thing from what he had in mind.
“Bye Mom! Love you!” Tucker shouted as he closed the door behind him. He turned to Danny and paused for a moment to take in the sight. His friend was practically vibrating in place, he had a huge grin on his face, and yep, there were sparkling dots barely visible winking in and out on his face. “Had a good night, Danny?” he asked.
“The best night! Absolutely wonderful! I only had to fight Boxy, but that isn’t even the best part!” Danny said, as fast as he could while still speaking English.
“Wow dude, did you get some good news or something?” Tucker asked, patiently.
The bouncing resumed as Danny rambled out, “Oh my gosh yes! The most amazing news! I read an article last night and it had, the best news!”
“Well don’t leave me hanging, spill.” Tucker demanded with a smile.
Danny stood perfectly still for a brief second, then turned and placed his hands on Tucker’s shoulders.
“Tucker,” he said, “Humans. Are. Going. Back. To. The. Moon.”
Tucker paused as the news sunk in. He then responded, “Whoa! That’s amazing! That is huge!”
Danny resumed his wiggling now that he had delivered the important message.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! People are going back to the Moon in our lifetime! We are living in history! It’s been decades since the last mission. Ahh I can hardly believe it!” he gushed.
Tucker muttered, “Houston, we have liftoff.” under his breath as Danny’s excitement started to activate his flight while still in human form. He gently dropped his hand on Danny’s shoulder to keep him relatively grounded and tugged him in the direction of the park. It would be a much better place to run off some of the excess energy that Danny was generating, and less likely for someone to notice the ghostly traits currently manifesting.
“Have you told Sam yet?” Tucker asked.
“I called her last night right after I read the article, she was still playing Doomed.” Danny’s voice dropped to just a touch louder than a whisper, “She’s gained another 3 levels on us by the way.”
“Aw man! Oh well, the challenge is half of the fun in taking her on. So what else did this article say?”
Danny beamed in delight as he told his friend more about the companies involved and their history with space and the prior moon missions, the planned dates for the mission, and even some of the mythology behind the name they chose for it. They strolled slowly to the city park, Tucker keeping his arm hooked with Danny’s elbow partly to keep him from floating away in giddy delight, and partly for the companionship. A satisfied grin on his face as Danny continued to ramble on with more information and excitement, stars dusted across his cheeks and bouncing as if he was on the moon himself.
Odds are you have had at least one friend like this. No matter how long the friendship has lasted if they get in a new romantic relationship they drop off of the map for you. Sometimes they pop back up when the relationship has hit a rocky patch and then they either vent to you, ask for advice, or in the case in which you know both individuals involved (either through introduction to the significant other or as a mutual friend) you end up playing the mediator role.
You never get thanked or have any gratitude shown to you and you don’t care because you’re their friend. It may take this happening multiple times for you to notice or mention it. Said friend will either dismiss it completely, say they’ll change, or say you’re overreacting.
When they say they’ll change most times they won’t and when you point that out they adamantly say they’re doing their best or be passive aggressive about it. I bring this up because I was in this exact situation. Someone I’d been friends with for over a decade-- someone that called me their sister and I called them my brother because I’d known them for more time than I’d not known them-- did this exact thing to me. It was a pattern and I could count down to it from the moment they got into a new relationship.
I stuck around for as long as I could handle it. I stayed until I decided my mental health and well being meant more to me than our friendship. I mean why keep trying at the cost of my mental health when our friendship obviously didn’t mean much to them? I ended the friendship and guess what? They messaged me asking me how things were acting as if nothing had happened. I did a quick search for their social network profile and low and behold; they were single.
I know they’ll see this but this post isn’t for that purpose. I’m writing this to reach out to those people that are or have been in this exact situation. I’m here for you. I know how you feel and you’re not alone. If anyone reading this ever needs someone to talk to or someone just to listen to you send me a message. I won’t judge you and you can rant and vent to me for as long and as much as you need to. <3
