Question C

[Jonetta]

Cordie’s dad has spent years mourning the loss of his wife, praying she’d return to him and Cordie. He could have remarried and started a new life for him and his daughter. Why didn’t he? Was it once in a lifetime love? Obsession? Beliefs? Why hasn’t he told Cordie the truth before now?

[Anita]

I don't see how it could be a once in a lifetime love as Simone didn't love him. I honestly don't know what to think about it. He should have told Cordie about her before he was dying. They both needed closure and all he left Cordie with was a pile of questions.

[Charlene]

I honestly did not know what to think about Cordie's dad and his belief that his wife was his one true love. Perhaps it was self delusion?
Maybe he did not tell his daughter until his deathbed because, deep down, he thought that she might find her mother and that it would burst his bubble.

[Anita]

That is as good a reason an any, I guess. He lived his whole life with the delusion, and it would just show him how much he sacrificed for nothing.

[Robin]

That sounds like a good explanation, Charlene.

[Sharon]

After all this time, he didn't know how to tell his daughter the truth when she was young. I felt he wanted to tell when she was older but kept putting it off.

I like Charlene's explanation better than mine. If he remarried, I thought he would need to be honest with his second wife about what happened to Simone/Natalie. The fear of Cordie knowing her mother abandoned her would hurt, and he didn't want to be the cause of additional pain.

[Jessica]

I didn't think much about that I guess. It was so clear that Cordie's dad was an awesome guy that I didn't think he would have any motive other than to protect Cordie. If he told her the truth, she would have asked questions and he would have had to show her that awful letter. But instead he waits to tell her until he is on his deathbed so now she has to deal with it by herself which is not good either. He may have been trying to protect himself as well as Cordie.

[Sandra]

I agree with you all. My only thought about the "why" was that he couldn't find the words to tell Cordie knowing how badly it would hurt her to know her mother didn't want her...even as a baby.

[Anita]

So, in order to protect Cordie from knowing her mother abandoned them he resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life. What a waste.

[Sandra]

I agree, Anita. A total waste. He cheated himself out of a loving relationship with another woman plus he cheated Cordie out of the potential for a loving relationship with a step-mother. Sad.

[Anita]

It was bad enough when we thought he lost the love of his life, but the reality is just pathetic.