“The truth.

That I chose the life that felt easier.

That I let pride and embarrassment harden into years.

That Carla influenced me, but I made my own decisions.”

He looked out the window.

“It sounds terrible when you say it plainly.”

“Sometimes plain truth is what remains when the excuses are gone.”

We talked about practical matters: the final accounting from the support case, the boys’ university schedules, Eleanor’s health.