Karen was as relieved as I now that everything was out in the open and the tension lifted. "He has to sleep in the tent with Timmy instead of with you," she said with a smile.
"That's good." I wanted to add, no humping, but that was a tad inappropriate. "That still might not be enough. We'll have to keep thinking."
"Whatever you say, I'll agree, Paul said, contrition painted on his face. "I deserve it, and I'm taking responsibility."
"Good for you," I answered. "Now let's get Timmy and give him a surprise by going out for pizza and his favorite ice cream. We've all been far too busy today to cook."
Later, in our bedroom, Paul thanked me for how I'd handled the situation.
"We've only begun, Paul. This is going to take a lot of work on everyone's part. We have to talk and be open. All of us, even big-mouth me. I know it's not the way you or the children were raised but open honesty is part of the answer if we're going to make it through this mess."
"I hope our making so much of it isn't too strong a course to take."
I felt my temperature rising. "Am I making too much of a barely ten-years-old child discovering her mother strangling to death, hanging in a darkened basement? Think about it, Paul. Isn't it the Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, the fucking mummy and every Stephen King's novel all tossed in together?" I pounded the pillow and stepped out of bed.
"You're right. I just haven't had time to think it out."
I was thankful he sensed my frustration. "I'm sorry, Paul. I know I'm not being fair and I'm blaming you for far too much. I love you. I always will and none of this changes that a bit. I'm not really mad at you. Yes I am and I'm frightened and I can't sleep with you until we all get our arms around this mess."
"This mess I've caused," he added. I didn't disagree. My husband kissed me. "I'll sleep in the guest room. Get Karen and bring her in here with you. Maybe it will help with her nightmares."
I did as he said. Karen was surprised our bed was empty when I led her to it. "Is Daddy mad?" she asked.
"No, honey. He understands. He's doing penance for being a liar and hurting you, even if he didn't mean to do it."
"You mean . . ."
"Right. No 'humping' ."
"Really? For how long?"
"I'm not sure. We'll decide together. Until then, you'll sleep with me until we're sure there are no more nightmares and we all can be happy again."