"I never lied about loving you."
I turned to Linda. Tears streamed down her face.
"You deserved the truth a long time ago," I said.
She made a broken sound, half sob and half laugh, and nodded.
I walked out of that backyard alone.
* * *
The marriage was annulled.
There were police reports, lawyers, and ugly conversations about identity fraud.
Michael was arrested.
"You deserved the truth a long time ago."
I still go to church. Some people look at me with pity, some with admiration, most with discomfort. A scandal like that never really goes away.
Linda and I have coffee every Thursday. Last week she said, "You know, you're the only good thing that came out of this."
I smiled at my cup. "That is a terrible compliment."
"It's the best I've got."
I looked at her and felt something settle quietly into place. A steadiness. A return to myself.
