Should You Keep a Secret?

A friend confides in you about a health crisis or a love affair. How do you decide whether to keep someone’s secret when there are good reasons to tell?

A while back, my sister, Rebecca, called with a request: She wanted me to book a flight to come and see her immediately—and not tell anyone.

Rebecca explained that she was having a breast biopsy the next day, was terrified to hear the results, and wanted me there for support. But she didn’t want to worry others in our family.

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