I’m not like you. I’m not happy here in this small, podunk, redneck, town. I’m not like my sisters and brother who have found peace within a town that had no growth or acceptance of changes. I know I’m young, stupid, naive, but I know that here is not where I want to stay. I’ve found someone who makes me ecstatic knowing they are my best friend, but I can’t tell you that my best friend isn’t from here. You say that my friendship isn’t real. You’ll say that the way both of us feel for one another is just a silly dream. Is it really just a silly dream when I’ve been friends with him for years now and been in love with him for the past three years? Is it really just a silly dream that my friend loves me in the exact same way I have for the past year? When he comes to visit are you just going to sit there and judge him because he isn’t a Native American or a woman? I’m sorry, Mom and Dad, but your wishes for me in my intimate life are not necessary. I may not be the daughter you want but I’m the daughter you have. I’m tired of bending to the ways of you; constantly suppressing who I am in order to not be reprimanded and told of how “selfish I am” when I’ve given up fighting and let you control me like a marionette doll. Let me live my life and let me be happy without you. I need to lead my own life without you looming over and judging every step of the way.