Comment from Cajungirl

Excellent

Blaze sure couldn't let Tara know that she and Theo had never been together. Poor, Tara in her delicate condition now have to deal with the guilt of Blaze's sentence to life in hell. Blaze now has to deal with the guilt of burdening her friend. Great Chapter.

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 26-Mar-2015

Thanks again, Vergie. You sure read a lot today! And you're right that they both feel bad for causing the other pain.

Comment from Cindy Warren

Excellent

I really felt sorry for Tara. Imagine being responsible for someone spending all that time in Hell, even if it was unintentional. It would be hard to forgive yourself for that. I'm sure Blaze(or is it Blaise) will be fine. She just has to fix up the naughty things she's done.

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2015

Thanks, Cindy. Her name from Heaven is Blaise. But in Hell she changed the spelling... seemed appropriate. :)

Comment from Curly Girly

Excellent

Truth versus polite, social lies. The truth always hurts, and lies can get complicated. Right now, it looks as if things are a little bit complicated for the girls. But they are praying their way out of trouble. Perhaps things will come right.

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2015

Thanks so much, Nicole. Blaze is doing her best. :)

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

Though the truth unadorned often hurts, white lies are sometimes in order and are not a check mark against the soul. Though in this case, the truth is appropriate.

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2015

Thanks so much, Ed. Tell me if you can, WHY it's "appropriate" to tell the child and the world that his father is a despicable criminal, a famous one at that. I'd really like to hear a convincing argument. Seriously, I would. Bec I can't think of one, except for medical reasons, which I've covered.

reply by ravenblack on 24-Mar-2015

I'm talking about Blaze thinking that she should have told a white lie to Tara instead of the truth. Nothing about the baby's parentage.

reply by the author on 24-Mar-2015

Same question there: Why? Why would that be better? It would save Tara from grief and guilt. And would make NO difference in the end anyway. What's done is done. Why make it worse for Tara than it already is?

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

An interesting question at the end. Should Blaze have told Tara the truth. The facts would lay a guilt trip on anyone.
Yet Blaze is lying about the baby being Theo's Wonder what Tara's reaction would be if she found out the truth.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2015

Thanks, Shari. No one likes to be lied to, esp by a close friend. But Tara will never learn the truth. Blaze and Theo are the only ones who know and they aren't telling. :)

Comment from gypsycaravan

Excellent

Poor Tara. Truth can be so painful sometimes but it is still the only cleansing that is thorough. Okay, is she going to wear the negligee in Rome?

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2015

Thanks so much, Shirley. Yes, she'll wear it. She's had the hots for Theo for a while now, ever since dancing close. It won't take too much romancing to get her into... and out of... that nightgown. :)

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Oh, a negligee! That's a perfect gift and royal blue will accent her red hair well.

Uh, oh, so Tara didn't know the truth. That's quite the thing to reveal.

Oh boy, Tara is going to beat herself up for quite a while about that major faux pas.

Blaze is right. Sometimes the truth isn't always best, but I'm guessing in this situation it will turn out to be best in the end.

Superbly written and very interesting as always dear Phyllis. I love how you introduce moral dilemmas with dialogue. It works really well and is what adds the depth without preaching to your characters.

Gloria

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2015

Thanks a bunch, Gloria. Why do you think it's "for the best" that Tara now knows the whole truth. It didn't give her any info that is important now. All it did was cause her pain. Do you see something that I'm missing in it? Besides the obvious, that she'll see BLaze as a much better friend than she might have thought. Is that it? Or something else? PLease tell me before I write more, okay? Always appreciate input. THanks. :)

reply by Gloria .... on 23-Mar-2015

No, I think Tara would've found the truth out from someone else in a much worse way.

reply by the author on 23-Mar-2015

Oh, okay. Thx. :)

Comment from boxergirl

Excellent

Wow..a big prayer from Blaze asking God to help Tara forgive herself. I wonder if Blaze might get to use that negligee after all...they will be married after all.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2015

Thanks so much for reading. Yes, she'll use it all right, but it won't be in Rome. :)

Comment from Cass Carlton

Exceptional

We have some very profound questions here .Is it alright to evade the truth with a lie? Answer, No! Tara had to face up to the truth eventually, and it had to come from Blaze. The BIG point here is Self forgiveness. We can forgive each other , we can be sure of God's forgiveness according to His Word, but can we get over the shame and self loathing we feel at our own misdoings? THAT is the main point here. Let us hope that Blaze's prayer for her friend is answered Cheers Cass

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 22-Mar-2015

Thanks so very much for the six stars, Cass.

Is it ever all right to hide the truth or replace it with a lie if the truth doesn't really matter but would cause needless pain? In this case, Tara suffered from a truth she didn't need to know. She didn't intentionally take Blaze with her. But feeling responsible anyway, she's suffering great undeserved guilt. Blaze is trying to do what's right, but what seems right to her isn't always what others think is right. She's in one of those gray areas where simmple YES or NO answers don't satisfy.

Comment from nancyjam

Excellent

Another great chapter. I loved that she had never had a present and didn't know how to open it.
Good commentary of friendship and forgiveness.
Nancy

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 22-Mar-2015

Thank you so much, Nancy. :)