I don’t know what I could possibly ever do to repay you, but just know that you have changed the life of someone who was seriously contemplating ending it all if things kept going the way they were going.

It’s not as if I had a plan or anything. I didn’t go out and buy a rope or rat poison to stir in my morning coffee. But I was sincerely considering doing something to change my life in an irreversible way. You plucked me right from the edge before I was about to jump. I hope you know that.

I really can’t thank you enough for what you’ve given me.

You’ve changed my life, guardian angel.

Your friend,

Agnes xoxo

EMAIL FROM ZOE CROSS

Date: 06/01/2000

Time: 2:39 p.m.

From: Zoe Cross <crushedmarigolds@[omitted].com>

To: Agnes Petrella <agnes_in_wonderland_76@[omitted].com>

Subject: Re: THANK YOU!

Agnes,

Of course. It was my sincere pleasure.

I would be more than happy to lend a helping hand anytime you find yourself in a bind. This is not merely a one-time offer.

When you’re gay, you have the privilege of choosing your family.

I learned quickly that blood is not always thicker than water. Sometimes the people that care for us the most are the people we least expect.

I, like you, have a responsibility to my fellow queer brothers and sisters to aid them with my blessings.

If you’d like to talk, I’ll be on Instant Messenger tonight. We can talk more there.

Your friend,

Zoe

INSTANT MESSAGING CONVERSATION BETWEEN AGNES AND ZOE

[The following text is a transcript of a conversation between Agnes Petrella and Zoe Cross over Instant Messenger. Certain sections of the text have been censored or redacted at the request of the Henley’s Edge Police Department. These censored areas have been marked with [omitted].]

06/01/2000

[<crushedmarigolds> has entered the chat]

[<agnes_in_wonderland_76> has entered the chat]

10:09:04 <crushedmarigolds> Hey

10:09:13 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Hey

10:09: 19 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I came earlier, but you weren’t on yet

10:09: 29 <crushedmarigolds> Yeah, sorry. I was out for a bit. Couldn’t get to the computer. Here now.

10:09: 40 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I’m glad

10:10:01 <crushedmarigolds> Did you send the rent check to your landlord?

10:10:13 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> Took it to the post office this afternoon

10:10: 23 <crushedmarigolds> Good. I’m glad

10:10: 34 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I really can’t thank you enough

10:10:45 <crushedmarigolds> You think he’ll be surprised?

10:10:57 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I’m sure he was busy writing my eviction notice

10:11:22 <crushedmarigolds> You must be delighted to prove him wrong

10:11:48 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I can’t stop smiling. One of the women I worked with said she had never seen me happier.

10:11:56 <crushedmarigolds> I’m glad you’re so happy

10:12:09 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> All thanks to you

10:12:31 <crushedmarigolds> Happy I could help in any way I could

10:12:48 <agnes_in_wonderland_76> I know I already said this, but you really did change my life.

10:12:58 <crushedmarigolds> I know