The Epilogue of Haydn Middletons The Lie of The Land :: Haydn Middleton The Lie of The Land

The Epilogue of Haydn Middleton's The Lie of The Land A few days had passed since Art had reentered David's life. While David, Quinn and Art spent the morning eating breakfast and discussing which is the best fruit jelly, Rachel was sulking in a pit of angst. Matthew hadn't spoken very much the past few days, still trying to come to terms with what she had done and why. And Rachel was trying to decide if she was on the road to healing a guilt which has haunted her for months, or could she still not forgive herself? Inspired by David Nennius' memoirs, she decided to do the same. She couldnUt bring herself to say to Matthew what she wanted to say, but perhaps she could write it then. Oh sure, she had told him the entire tale of her adventures with David, but she hadn't told him why she had been so obsessed with his troubles. Why she had to save him. Rachel picked her hands up from the keyboard. Rubbing her wrists she contemplated her future. Then, like many times, she began thinking of the past and details she had never told anyone. Rachel's Story "I haven't been able to bring myself to tell anyone what happened all those months ago," began the journal entry. I can still remember the day the man with no name came into the center, the day I committed my crime. That day I let a man walk out the door without getting his name. He wore a tattered overcoat and a sheep-like smile. Later, much too late, I learned the truth. No, that is not true. I knew the truth and did nothing. I knew he was a child molester - he told me. The worst part of it is that he came in twice. Twice I did the wrong thing. "I regret what I did," the man said through globs of tears. "I just wish these rages, these infatuations would vanish." I thought he was sincere, so when he would not give me his name I didnUt push him to do so. He pleaded with me not to tell the authorities. He said he could heal himself better in the real world. I thought he had a point. But then that fateful day came. I can still see Matthew's face as I read the story of a Chester Rogers being picked up for child molestation.