I met you in a sex store downtown. You were interesting, friendly, adorable. We spent some time together, hanging out while my puppy grew up. Then we drifted apart and saw each other only rarely. First you moved, then I moved, then you were in school, then you got sick.

I didn't know when you moved back home to Fredericton, but I tried to send my love when I could. You were very sick with chemo, then did your best to hang on. When I moved away, I sent you a care package with smutty, alternative magazines and comic books because I knew you needed a laugh or two. The last I heard from you, you'd gotten the stuff I sent and that made me feel useful.

Then the fucking cancer took you away. I know I'm lucky to have met you, laughed with you, shared time and space with you. But dammit, we had so much more time to spend together.

I'm going to miss you, buddy, now and forever. I love you. —Friend of Kit