The morning after the interview I woke at five and prepared myself for work. I'd taken the previous day off to attend the interview and now preoccupied myself. I did my best not to stress over the letter but for the rest of the week it filled my mind. The following Tuesday, seven days later, I returned home from work late to find the letter waiting.

I couldn't bring myself to open it.

After a shower and leftover takeaway for dinner, it neared midnight before I picked up the letter and opened it. Lee had been messaging me since Monday for news and I couldn't put off calling him any longer.

My hands shook and the pit of my stomach threatened to bring up my food.

As I read the first line the feeling engulfing me was indescribable. Congratulations, it read. What came after I did not read as tears of joy fell down my face.

I did it. I secured a place the following year.

It would be hard, but I was determined to succeed.

It was another hour before my nerves settled and I called Lee.

Lee answered, the late hour not an issue.

"Cody, tell me."

I caught the anxiety in his voice.

"I got in."

"Yes. I knew it." Lee's excited yell almost brought me to tears again. At that moment he's absence hit hard.

"I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you Cody."

"Thanks Lee. I'd not have got this far if not for you."

"No Cody. If it weren't for us. I needed you as much as you needed me. Together we've made this happen."

Lee sighed, and I wondered if he was having regrets leaving the country.

"It's good, Lee. I will see my parole officer tomorrow. I'll ask about a passport and travelling. If there's a way I can come to you. I will."

"I'd like that. I miss you."

"I miss you too. I better go. I'll send you an email with details."

"All right Cody. Take care."

After talking with Lee, I reflected over our relationship. Neither of us considered ourselves gay but the time we spent together in jail did something to us. Those nights we shared came to mean something. After three years of being together the bond formed was strong. Almost like family, brothers, but not.

Our relationship was unexplainable. We were both loners, brought together under bad circumstances and somehow stuck together. Now at twenty-three, my goal was to one day be reunited with Lee. Regardless of our past, a part of me loved Lee more than a friend. I hoped, one day, we might meet again so I might let go that love and greet him as a brother.

I didn't turn up at work the following day, calling in my resignation. When my boss asked why, I explained my acceptance into university.

"Why would you want to waste your time doing that? You got a good job here. The pays good. You can make more of your life with the money you're making right now."

His skepticism surprised me but I brushed it off with ease.

"I'll have to let your parole officer know you quit. Won't look good that."

If it were the old me I'd have given the jerk a few words. Instead, I thanked him and hung up.

Mid morning, I walked into the police station and asked to see my parole officer. The wait was long, but didn't deter my good mood. The items I wanted to discuss with him I went over in my head. When called, my determination was at an all time high.

"I heard you quit," the officer asked before I’d sat down opposite him.

"Wow, must have called you straight after I told him."

"Why'd you leave?"

"Figures he didn't tell you. I'm going back to university."

I surprised the officer with my answer by the look on his face.

"University, doing what?"

"Doesn't it say in my file? I started my degree in languages while in jail. I'm going back to complete that degree."

The officer nodded as he flicked through my paperwork.

"Interesting. Well that's fine. If you take up work elsewhere, let us know."

"Will do. I plan on finding somewhere cheaper to live too."

"Inform us of your new address when you do."

"Sure. I wanted to ask about getting a passport." At this point the anxiety I’m been able to subdue began to resurface.

"You can apply for one, you must note your convictions though. Why, where are you going?"

"I'm studying languages. I'm thinking of going to Asia somewhere, become a teacher."

"Depends on the country you want to visit, you'd have to go to their embassy and apply for a temporary visa. Not sure if they'd let you work in their country. The embassy would be better informed to answer those questions."

"Ok, thanks."

"If you have your letter of acceptance, I'll need a copy for your file."

I left the station a new man. Outside I took a deep breath, there was nothing stopping me from applying for my passport. It didn't mean I'd get it but I'd apply. I checked the time and decided a plan was in order. I needed a haircut, new shirts and another pair of jeans. Back in the car, I make my way to the nearest shopping mall. The desire to reward myself wasn’t something I’d experience often since leaving jail and I note now all my memories of my past focused around how strong my emotions were at the time.