Maybe consider giving him a second chance
Me
Would you give Chase a second chance if he lied to you?
Leslie
We aren’t talking about me and Chase
Me
Why? Cuz you’re back on again?
As soon as I hit send, I want to take it back. I’m taking out my frustrations on her when she’s being a good friend and trying to help me out of this impossible situation.
Leslie
That’s not important and I’m letting that cheap shot go cuz you’re hurting right now
I think you should give him another shot. Don’t miss out on something that could be goodfor you
Me
I don’t know if I can. I can’t be lied to again
She sends a reply, but I ignore it. I don’t want to hear it right now. I make my way back into the living room where Dad is cooking at the stove. I sniff the air, and I’m taken back to when I was a kid. He’s making grilled cheese. Simple, I know. Anytime I was upset, he’d make some grilled cheese for us, and we’d watch a move together.
He puts one on a paper plate and hands it to me, placing the other on his own, and we sit at the dinette table in silence, eating for what seems like ages.
“Did you want to talk about what happened earlier?” he tries again.
I chew and swallow before answering. “I learned someone lied to me about something really important, and I’m not sure I can forgive them.”
Dad sits back in his chair, taking in the information. “I’m not sure if anything is unforgivable, unless this is a hard boundary for you.”
“Would cheating be a hard boundary for you?” I blurt. Shit, now he’s going to start asking even more questions.
“Well, were you officially together as a couple?” he asks plainly.
I take another bite of my sandwich. “Not technically, I suppose. But they lied by omission.”
“Then is it the potential cheating or the lying that’s hurt you?”
Damn, this man is good.
“I guess the lying in this case. But it still hurts.” Dad knows vaguely about what happened with my ex, so he knows how I feel about lying and cheating.
“Yes, it can hurt. But it’s up to you if you want to forgive him or not.”
“Maybe I just need time.”
Dad studies me as I finish my sandwich, like he’s waiting for me to give more details, but I offer him none.
“Whatever you decide, make the best decision for you and you alone. Don’t think about what anyone else may think.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I smile. Maybe there is a way to figure all this out. “What movie do you want to watch?” I ask. With a smile he picksAladdin, my favorite Disney movie.
FORTY-THREE
