Couldn't her father have seen what was happening over the last; now sixteen months? If only he'd coaxed her to discuss her mother's death, instead of allowing her to bury the subject. If they'd talked, I'm sure he'd have sensed something was terribly wrong. I had induced her to reveal her demons in a few short weeks. How could he not have done the same thing?
I'd have to confront him. There was no choice on that point. Karen desperately needed help and I knew it would take more than Paul's and my love alone to slay her demons and bury them once and for all. Professional counseling was a must. Her mother had abandoned her by taking her own life. Karen was smart enough to see this. Perhaps Karen even blamed herself. Did she feel she might have saved her mother if she hadn't cowered in the darkened cellar while the deed was happening? Then her father had looked her in the eye and lied to her, dashing her respect for her only remaining parent. A supposedly trusted doctor had helped and God knows who else. I was convinced Karen's recent penchant for lying to her father, even on minor matters, was her way of getting back at him for his lies to her. And how could she dare to love me? How could she trust me, or any adult? Every person she'd loved either died or disappointed her. Why was she always testing? Because she was unable to believe there was anyone, she could count on. God, my heart went out to her! What a terrible weight she carried.
We both rose with the early sun. When Karen opened her eyes, a frightened look passed across her face as she realized what she'd admitted the night before. I took her face in my hands and spoke as sternly as I could muster.
"Karen, you've done absolutely nothing remotely wrong. No one will feel otherwise. I'm here for you. I promise with all my heart and you have to trust me with all your heart. I love you and I'm here for you forever. Believe that because it's a cast in stone fact."
Her lip quivered. "I'm scared. Daddy will . . ."
I stopped her with a finger to her lips. "I'll take care of your father. You don't even have to be there. He won't hate you, I promise. He loves you; I promise that too. He made a huge mistake. He never, ever should have lied to you but that's his wrong doing, not yours. You've done nothing remotely wrong, and he and I will do everything in our power to convince you of that fact. You just have to trust me and believe what I say. I will not lie." I thought she might cry but a slight smile began.