Secrets
Dear Frankie,
My mom is a writer. Two years ago, she told my dad she was leaving her job as an editor to write a novel she had been mulling over for a long time. She felt sure that, if she worked on it full-time, she would have a manuscript ready in two years for her agent to send to publishers.
It’s now two and a half years later, and the book is nowhere near finished. Soon after she began it, she grew discouraged and stopped writing altogether.
Whenever my dad asked her how the book was going, she told him,
“Fine.”
Recently, he asked her when she thought it would be finished, and she said soon.
Why can’t she tell my dad the truth?
Carson
Dear Carson,
Your mom wanted to write a book, but it hasn’t worked out. She’s likely embarrassed that she couldn’t finish it and hasn’t been honest with your dad. She might be afraid of how he’ll react when he finds out she hasn’t told the truth for over two years.
I hope he can understand how difficult this has been for her as a writer. I also hope she realizes how much secrets can hurt a relationship, and that if he forgives her, she’ll promise not to keep secrets from him again.
Best, Frankie
© 2026 Geneva Woodruff
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