Chapter 8

I choked up before I could respond. I'd been keeping my emotions down deep in my stomach, holding them hostage there. As I strove to answer his question, though, I found myself unable to hold them any longer.

"Two reasons," I said quietly. Oh god, this wasn't a nightmare, was it? This was really happening, wasn't it? "First, I just ... just want this to go away. Quickly. I need it to ... I need it to be over as fast as possible ... I can ... I can't..."

"No matter what you do, this ain't gonna be over quickly for you, son," Owen interrupted me. His voice was quiet, sad. I shouldn't be able to hear that sadness in a bad dream, should I? "What's the second reason?"

"Because I love her," I responded simply and quietly, unable to hold the tears from rolling down my face. This one was easier. "I can't help it. I still love her."

The older man shook his head. "Son, have you thought about counseling? I mean, cheating is a hard thing to get over but some people can do that."

"Not me," I said,