My relationship with Dad required healing too.
People sometimes hear this story and tell me what he did was beautiful.
I’m not sure I can describe it that simply.
His lie protected me in one way.
It hurt me in another.
For two months, I believed my father had betrayed my mother.
That changed the way I looked at him.
It changed the way I looked at marriage.
It made me question memories that had once felt safe.
Dad knows that.
He has apologized many times.
Once, months after the divorce was finalized, we sat together on my parents’ porch while Noah slept inside.
I asked him:
“Would you do it again?”
Dad was quiet.
Then he shook his head.
“Not the same way.”
That answer surprised me.
“You regret it?”
“I regret deciding fear gave me the right to lie to you.”
He looked toward the house.
“I don’t regret wanting to protect you.”
