" She was sad and lost and alone in the dark," Cecil said. " She needed somebody to hold her." " And you think she's going to get tired of that?" " You did," Cecil said. " You shut me right out." " It was your decision, not mine," Dave said. " You are the dearest thing in life to me. You're bright and funny and gentle and decent and full of life. And I will never get tired of you, and neither will Chrissie. It's not up to her anyway. You're the adult. Tell her the truth -- that it was an act of kindness that got out of hand." " I can't hurt her like that," Cecil said. " It will hurt more the longer you let it go on. "