He’d never even met them.
When I came back out with the suitcase, my husband looked wrecked. My mom was silent, tears on her face.
I set the suitcase by the door.
“I loved you,” I said to him. “More than was healthy. I gave up my family, my future, my education. I never regretted it. Not once. Because I thought you were honest with me.”
“I love you,” he choked.
“Love without truth is nothing.”
I walked out. I picked up our son.
Told him we were going on a “sleepover” at Grandma and Grandpa’s.
He was excited in the way only kids can be.
My parents opened the door, saw him, and both broke. My mother started sobbing. My dad grabbed the doorframe like he needed it to stand.
They apologized.
For cutting me off. For staying silent.
For never meeting their grandson.
I didn’t say “it’s okay.” Because it wasn’t.
