She said if I told you that you would thinkI was being a crybaby and deserve to be in a dress. Boys don't cry, Iam not a crybaby. Tears came down but ... never cried. I never even letmommysee those tears. I was strong. I didn't deserve to be in a dress."Tears started to fall from Fred's eyes. Finally finding out the entiretruth about his wife's treatment of their children was devastating. Heneeded to hold Luke, to be close to his son. He wanted his arms tosomehow protect Luke from all the pain. . I want to hear him out. I NEEDto hear him out. Another phrase I'm familiar with is 'time heals allwounds', and the wound Paul left me with has had well over a year toheal.I actually feel nervous as I type out a message to Paul on my phone,asking to meet up tomorrow for coffee. When I don't get an immediateresponse, I breathe a sigh of relief and head straight to Charlotte'shouse, where I head up to my room and change into a light blue halterneck bikini and my designer sunglasses. I've healed. ”“Ruth is SO good.” Gerri countered, “Civic minded, charitable, never says a bad word, volunteers her time for good causes. She also dates unsuitable men though.”“I do not!” Ruth argued, swiveling around to lie across her friend’s lap with her long skinny legs hanging over the armrest.They smiled at each other; Gerri stroked Ruth’s head, petting her like a cat. They were close; I wondered if they were more than friends... Some more white people came in.“Oh, there’s Douglas.” Gerri said. Ruth. I just know the possibilities. Nothing more. Let's wait and see what happens before considering the next option. Okay?" Okay," I replied, my voice revealing my stunned state. "Thanks for being straight with me doc." You're quite welcome."Mom and I left Dr. Lewis' office some ten minutes later and headed back home. I was dazed into silence for the duration of the trip even though I suspected mom wanted me to talk about it. When we got home dad and my sister Terri were anxiously waiting for.