Kyla could not help herself; she had to read some of that letter her curiosity was on fire. She sat down after locking the door to the shelter so that she could be alone. As she opened the letter she noticed the smell of smoke and that the letter was stained, possibly from sweat or tears she wasn’t sure. She started to read and it went like,

"You were my world for so long and then all of a sudden you were gone, gone forever. I never had a relationship like the one we had. I was foolish to think that we would be together forever, every time we turned a corner; there was a rock in our way for us to overcome. It was because no one, not your family nor mine wanted us to be together because it was "difficult for them to bear". Things were fine while we were in secret our times together, the love making, the walks on the beach, holding you and letting you snuggle under my arm while I kissed you on the head, which was difficult if we were standing since you were 3 inches taller than me, but we made it work baby. It was okay with them as long as we were friends, but as soon as we came out as a couple, they turned their backs on both of us. I loved you from day one and still until this very day (Monday July 4, 2004). I am still writing you as if you will ever read the letters, but I haven’t found a way to send mail to heaven. The writing makes the day and time pass for me a little easier. I will be leaving in the morning after your funeral, to start my life over unfortunately without you my love, my rock, my Dana. When we met I saw those beautiful brown eyes look at me at my table when you took my order that wonderful night. I could smell your perfume as you walked past me to get my platter off the tray. I was so taken with you; I didn’t know what to do as I had never fell in love with a woman before. It took it seemed forever to accept that you and I needed to be together as a couple, I wasn’t ready to be gay. We were friends for awhile and then I couldn’t handle the feeling I was having when we would sit by each other. You always made a way for me to touch you in some way and every time I did I melted that much more. Your skin was so soft and I loved holding your hand during a horror movie and I loved when you would get as close as you could so that maybe we would kiss. Oh my goodness, the first kiss was awesome, I had never felt that way in all my life and haven’t since. I fell deeply in love with you when I met you; I wish you were here with me to go to California. I know that last request was that I would find another love, a companion, someone to love. However, you were my soul mate, the one I will always need, want and will see again."