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Michael bows his head and rubs his hands against his tened "It's a tough pill to shen the world isn't willing to accept you—perhaps can't accept you, or isn't ready to Do you think it's easy to live a lie? To wake up every day and don a series of masks? No, of course you don't You've never had an ounce of real responsibility and sacrifice in your life You don't know theof it"

"I do now," I say, and when it comes out of my mouth, I mean it "I have a family to take care of"

"I ood to her I hope you understand that I tried I really did, but then I met Kenneth, and with him, I slowly felt my masks come off"

He stops for a ht words

"There's so you should know about me"

"I think I already do"

"I'ay, Lance"

Of course, this revelation comes as no surprise I've known this about my stepdad ever since I was a kid—at least I suspected it I always saw the way he looked at other men

"I know," I say

"You do?"

I nodin the world

"Well, you should also kno important this job is to me—and this election"

"I know that too"

His eyes resuaze for a few ht as well be an eternity, and then he speaks again

"I can forgive you for sleeping with Jocelyn—withme this election"