Free A Truth for a Truth by Emilie Richards Page B

me and know what’s up.”
    I gratefully accepted the coffee to help steel myself, but I was glad to be present. Sadly, I’m always glad to be anywhere when secrets are told. Jack went to get the coffee himself, which said a lot, I supposed, about his status.
    “He was probably thirteen when we left town,” she said, after Jack disappeared.
    “He’s all grown up now,” I assured her. Wide-shouldered, athletic, handsome enough to turn heads. I imagined someday, like Hildy, I’d be awed by the changes the passage of time had made in children I knew.
    “I didn’t want to tell this to a stranger.”
    “He’s very bright. He would be my pick if I needed somebody.”
    Hildy was twisting the handle of her purse. For some reason it reminded me of Marie Grandower twisting her shawl at the reception. I wondered if I’d be thinking of her again, once Hildy started her story.
    Jack returned with coffee for everybody and muffins. I was too hungry not to dig in. Besides, I didn’t have to worry about talking with my mouth full. My job was to stay silent, and the muffins would remind me.
    Jack began. “Aggie told me on the phone that the police want to talk to you about Reverend Dorchester’s death. She said you were concerned about being questioned and wanted an attorney present.”
    Hildy twisted and nodded.
    “To me, that says you may have things you’re worried about telling the police,” Jack said. “Is that right?”
    “I didn’t kill him.”
    “I’m sure you didn’t.”
    “It’s just that . . .” Hildy twisted the handle around her fingers. I was beginning to worry about her circulation, maybe even amputation.
    “Take all the time you need,” he assured her.
    “Win and I had words that night,” she said tightly. “After the party.”
    “Would you like to tell me about what?”
    Hildy glanced at me. I chewed and nodded, afraid to smile reassuringly because of muffin crumbs on my teeth.
    “I found out that night . . .” Hildy’s nostrils were narrowed, but she was breathing quickly anyway. “I found out that after all these years, Win was still having an affair with Marie Grandower.” Now she stopped breathing altogether. I wasn’t sure which was worse.
    “Still?” Jack asked. “Exactly what did you find out and when?”
    At last Hildy sighed, for which I was supremely grateful.
    “I found out about his affair with Marie when we lived in Emerald Springs, right at the end of his ministry here. I told Win I would leave him if he didn’t resign and get away from her. I suppose he believed me, because he did find another church and quickly.”
    She glanced at me. “I guess you already knew this?”
    “No.” I swallowed my crumbs. “I really didn’t.”
    “I always wondered if the affair became common knowledge after we left. Maybe it didn’t. Or maybe your husband knows and just didn’t tell you.”
    It would be like Ed not to tell me, but often in those situations when he’s keeping secrets, I suspect. I was betting he didn’t know about this affair, that perhaps those who did know had kept it private.
    Hildy continued. “He was a good man. I want you to believe that, but that affair was his great weakness. I asked myself if I should put up with him afterwards, if I should just leave. But . . .” She shook her head. “I loved our life, and I loved him. And I knew I was doing good as his wife, that I had a talent for helping people in our churches. I didn’t want to give that up.”
    I had felt sorry for Hildy after Win’s death, but not as sorry as I felt for her now. We never really know the burdens other people carry, particularly when they are so good at hiding them.
    “Of course we had children, too,” she added. “They loved their father.”
    I was trying not to judge Hildy’s decision, but I couldn’t help wondering what I would do in her situation.
    She went on, speaking a little faster. “Anyway, of course I thought about Marie when Win and I discussed coming back to