Every word to follow was like a sledgehammer breaking down the thick walls of shame entrapping me. Her acceptance was more healing than any prayer, more uplifting than any group counseling session, more powerful than any force of hate I internalized. “I’m so sorry for lying to you, mom.” “You didn’t lie. You did what you needed to do to protect yourself. I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t know how you would respond. I didn’t want to offend you, but I knew. And I waited.”
