Treehouse: Puppy Love

Hey,

I’ve been thinking a lot about the night you came over to the house, when we were all just hanging out and talking. It was one of those moments where things got personal, and we shared parts of ourselves that don’t usually come up in everyday conversation. You brought up your dog — the one we’ve seen in photos before — and it felt like a genuine glimpse into something meaningful to you.

But then, during that conversation, you revealed something that caught us off guard and honestly made us a little uncomfortable. It wasn’t something we expected, and it shifted the way we felt about the whole situation. Because of that, we haven’t really been talking since.

I want to be clear — this isn’t about taking away from any of our interests or passions. I think we all have things we’re into that might be a little touchy or private if people really knew about them. That’s part of what makes us who we are. But there’s a line, and what you shared crossed it for us. It’s not something we can tolerate, and that’s why we needed to step back.

We also want to acknowledge that you’re a minority, and that made this decision uncomfortable for us. We’re not prejudiced, and we don’t want to make assumptions or single you out based on your race or background — especially since we don’t know if this is something exclusive to you or not. Our discomfort comes purely from the nature of what was shared, not from who you are.

This isn’t about judging you or trying to make you feel bad. It’s about the boundaries we have to keep for ourselves, even with people we care about. I hope you can understand where we’re coming from and why things have changed between us.

Take care of yourself.

— A Voice from the Basement