Free Give Me Truth by Bill Condon Page A

he did. Just one. And you know he’s sorry.’
    â€˜Caitlin, my love, if you truly did understand, wewouldn’t be having this conversation.’
    She puts away a plate, takes a broom from the pantry and begins to sweep the kitchen floor, going at it hard and fast. Maybe she wants to exhaust herself so when she goes to bed she doesn’t feel anymore.
    â€˜Sorry, Mum. You’re right.’ I stand in her way to make her look at me. ‘I couldn’t possibly know how you feel – all I know is how I feel. I can’t let you and Dad split up without at least trying.’
    â€˜Well, now you’ve tried. Okay?’
    â€˜Mum, this is so important. Why can’t you talk to him one more time? It won’t kill you. Just give him a chance.’
    â€˜I’m sick of giving.’ She stares me into submission – it only takes a couple of seconds – ‘And we’ve already done our talking.’
    She puts the broom back, kisses me goodnight – her lips are dry and hard – and trundles off to the empty desert that is her bed.
    I expect to find Dad on the couch downstairs – the last stop before he gets kicked out for good – but instead I see the light shining from under his study door. I stand in front of it for a minute, unsure of whether to talk to him. What can I say? What good will it do? I have no answers but I can’t walk away.
    I knock on the door.
    â€˜Dad.’
    â€˜It’s not locked, Caitlin.’
    He’s looking out the window onto the street. A dark blue car is parked in front of our house. There’s a man sitting behind the steering wheel. We live in a cul-de-sac so you notice cars that don’t belong. I’ve seen this one before.
    â€˜Has he been there long, Dad?’
    â€˜Half an hour or so.’
    â€˜What’s he doing?’
    â€˜Don’t know.’ He shrugs and steps away from the window, pulling shut the curtains. ‘Forget it. It’s nothing.’
    Back behind his desk, Dad straightens papers, shuffles through his drawer. ‘Be with you in a minute. I can’t seem to find my glasses.’
    He needs a carer. Can never find anything. How could he possibly survive without me and Mum? I take his glasses from the top of the filing cabinet and hand them to him.
    â€˜Oh good. Thanks.’ He puts them on and sits back in his chair, smiling pleasantly at me. ‘You’ve got your serious face on, Caitlin.’
    â€˜Have I?’
    â€˜Yes. What’s on your mind?’
    I have no plan of attack. No questions prepared. I wish I didn’t know what he’d done so I could just hug him. But I do know.
    â€˜Caitlin?’
    The bravest and dumbest thing I’ve ever done is tojump from the highest point of the diving board at the swimming pool. I did it solely to show off to my friends, but I learnt something. When you’re scared senseless, don’t stop and think about it or you’ll freeze with the fear. Just shut your eyes, take a deep breath, and jump …
    â€˜I’ve been talking to Mum.’
    He keeps the smile going, even though he cringes a little.
    â€˜She told me, Dad. What you did.’
    No smiling now.
    â€˜Oh. I see.’
    â€˜Your affair.’
    The words are ugly but I have to say them. I don’t want any more secrets.
    â€˜Yes. Well, it’s true.’
    â€˜I thought you might deny it … I wanted you to.’
    â€˜No. I’ve always told you and Rory to admit it if you’ve done something wrong, so I think I should take my own advice.’ He leans forward to rest his hand on mine, hesitantly, as if he’s scared I’ll reject him. I don’t. ‘I’m sorry, Caitlin.’
    â€˜I know you are. But why did you do it? It’s hurt Mum so much.’
    He moves his hand away. ‘Look, to be honest, I don’t feel comfortable talking with you about this.’
    â€˜Gee, Dad, I’m sorry