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Show Inside Out, 191 you want to talk, call me on my cell phone. I love you so much, Terra. So much." He kissed her cheek, then turned to leave. "Dad-" Terra croaked. He turned, but didn't come back. "I love you too," she said. He grimaced-maybe thinking it would be a smile-then went out, stooping to pick up bags on the way. She heard him say something to her mother in the hallway, and before Terra could open the envelope her mother came in and sat on her bed. "I'm sorry," she said. "So sorry. I shouldn't have kept things from you. But I did it-I wanted you to think good of him. I wanted to give him space to work things out. But it was a mistake. I have made many mistakes. I hope you will forgive me." And then she left, too. Terra sat stunned for a moment, then opened the letter. Dear Terra, I have some things to say to you. An explanation from me is long overdue, but I need you to know that I didn't keep things from you on purpose. Your mother had asked me not to talk to you yet about things. She seemed to think it was important that you not know the truth about me. I know that she is trying to preserve your love for me. I also know that I will never be able to make things up to her. So I guess I've been pretty willing to support her in something she feels so strongly about. But, Terra, the more time that passes the more I become convinced that truth is better than lies, even when lies make you feel better at first. lam trying to repent, Terra. You know that one of the parts of repentance is confession. I need you to know the truth Last year, before Joseph's accident, I had an affair. I see that that word isn't going to do it for me. I need to get it all out now so that I don't have to do this again. I will be specific: Last year I slept with another woman, more than once. She is someone that I know from work. Her name is Belinda |