Larry explained
The narrative was convoluted and intricate. Larry had been deceiving Barbara for years, fabricating stories about visiting his mother and other relatives to shield her from concerns about their relationship. In truth, Larry had not seen his family in years; instead, he had been spending time with his friends during those supposed visits. He admitted to feeling remorseful for his lack of honesty, but believed it was the best course of action at the time.
Larry couldn’t muster the courage to reveal the truth about his family to Barbara, not yet, at least. His confession weighed heavily on him, and he hoped Barbara would comprehend his motives, flawed as they were. For Barbara, Larry’s admission evoked a whirlwind of emotions—shock, pain, and bewilderment. She grappled with the revelation that he had concealed this secret for so long. Larry’s attempt to shield her inadvertently cast their relationship into a complex and delicate state.