Okay. Prickly but still cute.

"Dear friend,

It's hard to know how to love you. I want to. I'm trying. Can you help me out? What does love look like for you. How do you know that someone uniquely cares about you? How do you trust that someone wants to serve you? Words have been said, but you've heard words before. Things have been done, but you've seen them before. Yes, past communications from others are going to color all of our conversations and their instigation is going to affect our interaction. You know that, at some level. I understand it, as much as I understand your story. But life is awfully tough to live alone.

Another friend of mine, I used to call "The Porcupine." Hard to get your head around, and harder to hug. Impossible to hold. And throwing her on her back and tickling her belly seemed awfully forward. You remind me a lot of her. My time is short. And I just want to love you. Help me know how. As long as you want to be loved. By me. Because I'm not everyone's cup of tea. And hee last thing I'd choose is a face full of quills.

thus spake,

me