{{HUGS}} There is absolutely no reason why you should hate being honest - not among friends, anyway. (though my RL best friend seems to feel like you do - she hates *imposing* on anyone) I for one much prefer my friends telling me honestly about what they feel, so they can get it off their chests and I might be able to help in some way at least! That's what friends are for in my book.

I'm sorry your stepdad is worse - from here I can't do much more than light a candle for him, so I'll gladly do that and send him blessings . I do know how you feel in some sort of way, my dad had to have four bypasses last year and we were not sure he'd make it.