Have You Ever Heard a Secret You Didn't Want to Hear?
By RobtheRock
@RobtheRock (2433)
United States
May 24, 2010 12:27pm CST
I love my cousin dearly. Over the past thirty years, he has given me information about my family members since it took that long for them to recognize me as family. So a month ago he divulged the secret that a woman I knew of as my niece, (she religiously calls me her uncle) wasn't really my niece. "Your half brother's wife had a child before he married her," my cousin told me. 
Well that's something I didn't want to hear and tried to block it out of my mind. Well, last week he brought the subject up again after my half brother and his wife came to town. On the way to the house to see my brother, again my cousin brought up the topic. I tried to change the subject and he raised his voice, determined to tell the story. 
I attempted to block out his words, then came to the realization that I didn't care, it didn't mean anything because she was my cousin regardless! Plus, my cousin had a stepson who he declared as being his son. The boy turned out to be a basketball star and my cousin walked around with his chest out bragging about his "son." Knowing me, the next time he brings the subject up I might talk about his supposed son not being his or I might tell him I don't want to hear about my niece and if he continues, I might bring up his son which might be the end of our relationship as I know it. I've had other situations of finding out things I would rather have stayed rattling in the closet because they were disturbing to me. Which is why I'd like to know if you've had someone share a secret with you that you'd rather not have heard about.
Well that's something I didn't want to hear and tried to block it out of my mind. Well, last week he brought the subject up again after my half brother and his wife came to town. On the way to the house to see my brother, again my cousin brought up the topic. I tried to change the subject and he raised his voice, determined to tell the story. I attempted to block out his words, then came to the realization that I didn't care, it didn't mean anything because she was my cousin regardless! Plus, my cousin had a stepson who he declared as being his son. The boy turned out to be a basketball star and my cousin walked around with his chest out bragging about his "son." Knowing me, the next time he brings the subject up I might talk about his supposed son not being his or I might tell him I don't want to hear about my niece and if he continues, I might bring up his son which might be the end of our relationship as I know it. I've had other situations of finding out things I would rather have stayed rattling in the closet because they were disturbing to me. Which is why I'd like to know if you've had someone share a secret with you that you'd rather not have heard about.1 person likes this
4 responses
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
26 May 10
Sometimes sons are the prodigies of who raised them. There is nothing that says that child would be one bit more successful if it were raised by it's real father. Things might be very different if that boy had been raised by his real father..if it's even the truth. There is always the chance of nasty rumors. They can prey on anyone at anytime. If they are true...it is them with the burden to bear..not you. Please..realize that the burden is heavy and if it is true..people have to be able to have something sometime to be proud of.
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
27 May 10
Hi JenInTn. I agree 100%. I was raised by my grandparents and having seen what I could have gone through, I'm glad I was raised by them instead of my mother or father. Plus, I was influenced by all the books my grandmother had on her shelves. As for my niece. My brother has made a name for himself and she is a professional writer. So yes, I am proud of her. Thanks for responding.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
27 May 10
I was raised by my grandparents too. I spent a lot of time wondering and wishing for my mother when I was young but as I got older, I realized that I was where I needed to be too. I don't know what would have become of me if one of my parents had raised me. I'm glad too. Take care.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Nov 10
Not that I can think of. But I did hear a secret that I didn't know was a secret. My younger cousin, all these years, thought her father was her mother's first husband. She had actually been born before they were married from another relationship. It was a very well known "secret", but apparently my cousin and her siblings did not know.
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
19 Nov 10
Wow, I bet that was shocking to your younger cousin. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@Jaluke (676)
• United States
24 May 10
Hmm, I don't know if I've been in that situation, but I definitely have been in situations where it hurt to be told the truth/a secret that I previously had not been aware of. In the end though, I wanted to know what it was that I was told. It was just a simple matter of me being dissatisfied with what the actual contents of the secret were.
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
25 May 10
Yes. Secrets can cause disatisfaction. Thanks Jaluke for responding.
@formidexo (1351)
• Canada
6 Sep 10
I haven't had that experience yet. But life is full of surprises and one never knows what tomorrow may bring. If your half-brother views her as his daughter I personally don't see any problem. I wish you peace of mind!
