Never Lie

by Freida McFadden

Human beings don’t deal well with rejection. Back when our ancestors were hunters and gatherers, being ostracized from a tribe was akin to a death sentence. For that reason, rejection is experienced by human beings as being incredibly painful. Studies using functional MRI have shown the same areas of the brain become activated both during rejection and during real physical pain.

Patricia’s eyes don’t blink once as she stares into mine. “My mother always says the only way two people can keep a secret,” she says, “is if one of them is dead.”

Hopefully, that won’t ever happen. But if it does, I’m prepared to take care of the situation. After all, my mother always said that the only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead.