Six hours later I felt a thrill go through me, as I saw the now entering Rhode Island sign on 95 that signaled that we were only minutes from home. I looked over at Mom, and smiling thanked her for spending the week with me, and that I felt much better. Mom reached across the seat and taking my hand thanked me for coming, that she had always looked forward to having a daughter to do this with. My smile wavered a little as I once again felt that nagging sense of guilt about lying to her, and about all the things she didn't know about.

We pulled up in...