underestimated her backbone, I thought.
"He did, did he?"
"Yes. I'm not here to make any excuses for him," she added quickly.
"Then why are you here, Louise?" I demanded. I couldn't help feeling another sort of betrayal. It had never occurred to me that Nelson would be so close to Louise that he would share even his sins, and it certainly never occurred to me that if he had, she would tolerate or forgive him.
"I'm here because I think you're making a mistake. I think you should consider finding another home for the child. Nelson and I have discussed it and we are willing to bear all the costs. There are many couples who would love . ."
"You discussed it? You? It's my sister he has impregnated, Louise."
"I realize that," she said quickly. "I don't come here to assign any blame on anyone, especially Belinda.
I laughed.
"It might interest you to know that I don't excuse her. She's certainly at fault, too, but as far as giving the child away, pretending it never happened, burying the facts . . . no," I said shaking my head. "I won't let that happen."
"But Belinda's future . . ."
"Is my worry, not yours," I said. I sat back, pressing my fingers together and smiling as a realization gave birth in my mind. "I understand now. You're worried that it will come out someday and you will be devastatingly embarrassed."
"No, not at all. It's . . ."
"Please," I said holding up my hand. "Let's not add deceit upon deceit. I have assured Nelson that his fatherhood or should I say sirehood, will not be revealed. You can rest as easy, as easily as you are able to rest knowing what you do know," I said pointedly.
"Well, have you really thought this out, Olivia? Are you sure this is what you want to do?" she asked.
"Yes, Louise, it is."
She saw my determination and she sat back, her lips trembling.
"It took every bit of strength I could muster to come over to speak with you, Olivia. Nelson told me your mind was made up, but I think he believed I might be able to change it, that once you knew he had confessed all to me, you might reconsider."
"Why should he think that?"
"I don't know," she said.
"Then perhaps you don't know everything, Louise." She took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. Then she sucked in her breath and stood.
"This is such bad business, such a terrible turn of events," she complained. "Our lives were so perfect up until now."
"Life isn't meant to be perfect," I said. "That's an illusion and if you let yourself think it is, you only suffer when disappointments come."
She looked at me with admiration and shook her head.
"How I envy you for your strength. You've always been so powerful." She smiled. "Somehow I think you'll work all this out," she concluded. "And you'll all be safe," I said.
She bit her lower lip, glanced at me and then turned to go.
"Louise," I said when she reached the doorway. She paused, turning.
"Yes?"
"If you want to be stronger, never let your husband get you to do his dirty work again."
"I didn't come here for him. You were right, Olivia. I came here for myself. Or maybe for my children, too," she added. "You once said something I never forgot."
"What was that?"