Scott cleared his throat. “For those who don’t know me, my name is Scott Elliott.” Dana felt the whole church closing in on her as Scott began to speak, as if the crowd had one eye on Scott and the other bearing down on her to see if she would break down during his “confession.” The heat from their stares made her feel like she might hyperventilate. Scott looked down to the front row. “I want to thank Pastor Lyles for allowing me this time. He said I didn’t have to do it, and I understand. In fact, I wanted to take his word and run with it . . . but I knew I . . .” He lost his voice and cleared his throat again. “I knew I had to do this.” He paused. Then he nodded slightly and set his jaw. “I had an affair. I was unfaithful to my wife.” Dana sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. Hearing him say it—in front of everybody—slammed her heart against their new reality. How many times had she heard the words affair and unfaithful in reference to other marriages and felt a dim horror at the very prospect?
