Sometimes you need to hear the truth, even if it's not what you were hoping to find out. Even if you knew what you were about to find out, to begin with.
"It's not you I'm in love with."
"I know. It's *bleep*."
"You know?"
"Yep. I've always known."
"You never let on that you did."
"And end my torture?"
"I could have made it less difficult."
"You couldn't have."
It makes no difference whether you always knew or you had no idea. The painful truth, said aloud, is always hurtful, no matter how much you prepare for it.
I'd like to call it, "a test of character" -- not so much to torture yourself and indulge in the self-pity; but more of a measure of how much pain your being could bear. A measure of how strong you could actually turn out to be.
"I could stop talking about her if you like."
"It's no different."
"Why not?"
"That won't make you love her any less."
"So?"
"That won't make you love me any more."
"Oh."
The awkward truth, said aloud, is always awkward, too, no matter how much you prepare for it.
Is that why you rushed away?
