(Nick Galifianakis for The Post) | Dear Carolyn: Need some help with reconciling an old lie — well, failure to disclose. My father and I had a very conflicted relationship, which included physical and psychological abuse. I didn't tell my big sister. At the time he was in a great deal of pain after my mom divorced him. My sister seemed able to help him deal with it. I could not. My relationship with my father deteriorated to the point I gave up and walked, and never spoke to him again. Big sis was always trying to be the peacemaker between us. But I never told her what really happened. I didn't want to make her choose between us. Okay, that's stupid, but I had all the wisdom of a 17-year-old. Meaning, not much. Fast-forward, he now has dementia — and told her what he did, which includes pushing me against a wall with his hands around my neck, choking me because "you are evil" for graduating first in my class. It was my high school graduation. He kinda told her all of it. And I mean ALL. It's not good. She's seriously upset with me — why didn't I tell her?? And she said, reasonably, what to do about his abuse was her choice, and I took that decision away from her. I don't know what to say to her — how do I repair a trust I broke? — Conflicted |
No comments:
Post a Comment