“I was afraid you had both betrayed me,” I said. “And because you kept secrets, I had no way of knowing what was true.”
Emily nodded, tears gathering in her eyes.
“I know.”
“But I also know that we have to be able to tell each other the truth, even when it hurts. You don’t protect me by deciding what I can handle. You protect our relationship by trusting me enough to be honest.”
She came around the table and hugged me.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
Michael stood beside us, his eyes wet.
For the first time in months, we embraced without anyone hiding a message, a fear, or an explanation.
Nearly a year has passed since that night.
I am still attending my medical appointments and following the treatment plan my doctors recommended. Some days are easier than others, but I no longer ignore every warning sign because I am frightened of what it might mean.
