--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the time comes you need to talk about…" description: "\"“If the time comes you need to talk about it, you can share anything you need to with me. I won’t judge you--not for anything.” Loretta stiffened. “Wha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/202/catherine-anderson-308_hand-holding_if-the-time-comes-you-need-to-talk-about_1252772.jpg" --- # If the time comes you need to talk about it, you can share… ![“If the time comes you need to talk about it, you can share anything you need to with me. I won’t judge you--not for anything.” Loretta stiffened. “What could you judge me for?” She pulled away. Rachel averted her face. “Oh, Aunt Rachel, not you, too? Is it a crime to live through something like…” quote by Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/202/catherine-anderson-308_hand-holding_if-the-time-comes-you-need-to-talk-about_1252772.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/202/catherine-anderson-308_hand-holding_if-the-time-comes-you-need-to-talk-about_1252772.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/202/catherine-anderson-308_hand-holding_if-the-time-comes-you-need-to-talk-about_1252772.jpg) > ““If the time comes you need to talk about it, you can share anything you need to with me. I won’t judge you--not for anything.” Loretta stiffened. “What could you judge me for?” She pulled away. Rachel averted her face. “Oh, Aunt Rachel, not you, too? Is it a crime to live through something like this and emerge unharmed? I did starve myself. I chose death, just like any self-respecting woman would. But then he promised to bring me home, and I started eating again. He hadn’t harmed me, and I figured--” Loretta broke off. It was clear as rain Aunt Rachel didn’t believe her. “Merciful heaven, would you rather I was dead?” Amy groaned and tossed her head. Lowering her voice, Rachel replied, “No, I wouldn’t rather you were dead!” She lifted trembling hands to her face. “Lord, no. I--oh, Loretta Jane, no. I love you. I just can’t understand. You come home looking fit as a fiddle, claiming they didn’t touch you? I saw you kiss him with my own eyes. And Tom said you shared the Comanche’s bed, that it appeared you were receiving good treatment. I can only wonder what you had to do to survive so you could be here tonight. It’s amazing what we women can live through--the things we’re willing to put up with just to get by. Look at me. Stuck here in this unforgiving land with a man I despise. Do you think having him touch me is pleasant? But I let him and pretend I like it. Without him, where would the three of us be?” Loretta couldn’t answer. For an instant it was like being mute again, her throat felt so tight. She could understand Uncle Henry’s not believing her. He was one tier short of a full cord, anyway, and a body expected him to be an imbecile. But Aunt Rachel? That hurt--a bone-deep hurt that would be a long time in easing. Even if eloquence had been hers, Loretta would have offered no defense. She knew the truth, and that would have to be enough. Aunt Rachel stood up and wiped her palms on her shift. “I’m here if you need an ear. You can count on me.” With that, she left the loft. Loretta wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed out the window at the moonlit yard, remembering another night, a lifetime ago, when Hunter had sat astride his black stallion there, his arm lifted to her in a salute, his fisted hand holding her stolen bloomers. How could it be that a Comanche understood the song her heart sang and her own aunt did not?”” [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shows a desperate plea for empathy amid trauma, highlighting judgment, survival, and fragile hope. **In simple terms:** A plea for empathy amid trauma. Key Takeaway Seek compassionate listening. Themes trauma judgment survival Mood empathetic hopeful Type psychological emotional When to use this quote - counseling - support groups - friendship - self‑compassion - healing journeys Key Concepts Psychology human connection resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can you offer non‑judgmental support? - What helps rebuild trust after betrayal? A Different Perspective Survivors may fear judgment even from allies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hand holding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-holding/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Loretta Jane, if you’d like to come back in, Henry said you could. 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You can count on me.” With that, she left the loft. Loretta wrapped her arms around her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-m-here-if-you-need-an-ear-you-can-count-on-me-with-that-she-left/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Angry wasn’t the word to describe Loretta’s frame of mind. She wasn’t just furious, but horribly hurt as well. That terrified her. She wasn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/angry-wasn-t-the-word-to-describe-loretta-s-frame-of-mind-she-wasn-t/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Aunt Rachel says tahat the universe is always trying to speak to us, and that the universe doesn't waste time speaking about things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ockler/aunt-rachel-says-tahat-the-universe-is-always-trying-to-speak-to-us/) [Sarah Ockler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ockler/) > [“Beside the plain blue homespun and white linen which modestly clothed Aunt Rachel and Judith, Kit’s flowered silk gave her the look of some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/beside-the-plain-blue-homespun-and-white-linen-which-modestly-clothed/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“You know, hon, after Stephie died, we never really talked about her." she says, her hands tight around the cart handle. "There's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ockler/you-know-hon-after-stephie-died-we-never-really-talked-about-her-she/) [Sarah Ockler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ockler/) > [Look...at...me... The green eyes found the black, but after a second, something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/severus-snape/look-at-me-the-green-eyes-found-the-black-but-after-a-second/) [Severus Snape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/severus-snape/) > [But she has gathered that Americans, in spite of their public declarations of affection, in spite of their miniskirts and bikinis, in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhumpa-lahiri/but-she-has-gathered-that-americans-in-spite-of-their-public/) [Jhumpa Lahiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhumpa-lahiri/) > [“Let's never stop holding each other's hands. We all need to have our hand held sometimes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/let-s-never-stop-holding-each-other-s-hands-we-all-need-to-have-our/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) ## More by Catherine Anderson > [“You’d better keep her tied.” “Why?” A yawn stretched Hunter’s dark face. “Because she’s looking skittish.” “She’s naked.” Sheathing his knife, Hunter flopped on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-d-better-keep-her-tied-why-a-yawn-stretched-hunter-s-dark-face/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I have such great love for you, little one. Such great love.” “I love you just as much, Hunter. I thought I’d die when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-have-such-great-love-for-you-little-one-such-great-love-i-love-you/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Blue Eyes, you will say yes to me?” “Tonight? 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I still have my honor.” Hunter jerked her to his side and, in an ominously even voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-m-in-no-need-of-matrimony-father-i-still-have-my-honor-hunter/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You know, I should start thinking on names. I have to be over two months gone. A name is important. Especially for this baby.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-know-i-should-start-thinking-on-names-i-have-to-be-over-two/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“As he tightened his embrace around her, he knew he'd made the right choice. He held the whole world in his arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/as-he-tightened-his-embrace-around-her-he-knew-he-d-made-the-right/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You will tell your sons and daughters about me, yes?” Hunter wished he could weep, but the tears were dammed behind his lids, aching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-will-tell-your-sons-and-daughters-about-me-yes-hunter-wished-he/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Speaking of pits in plum pudding, do you remember your sister’s first attempt? Your grandfather broke off his only remaining tooth trying to eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/speaking-of-pits-in-plum-pudding-do-you-remember-your-sister-s-first/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You ever seen what they do to a captive white woman? If you ask me, them Injuns got exactly what was coming to ’em.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-ever-seen-what-they-do-to-a-captive-white-woman-if-you-ask-me/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I would like to make arrangements with you--to take her as my wife. Not right away, of course. When she grows old enough.” The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-would-like-to-make-arrangements-with-you-to-take-her-as-my-wife-not/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“ Toquet , it is well, little one. It is finished, eh?” She panted, tossing her head. “It h-hurts!” “It will pass,” he assured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/toquet-it-is-well-little-one-it-is-finished-eh-she-panted-tossing-her/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Make a story for me, yes? About my Loh-rhett-ah when she was small like Blackbird.” She stared at him, clearly unable to believe he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/make-a-story-for-me-yes-about-my-loh-rhett-ah-when-she-was-small-like/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“He ran his palm up the curve of her back and then removed his arm from around her, amused at how swiftly she rolled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/he-ran-his-palm-up-the-curve-of-her-back-and-then-removed-his-arm/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Another uplifting development was Amy’s recovery from her ordeal. Loretta could scarcely believe how quickly the child was regaining her former gaiety, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/another-uplifting-development-was-amy-s-recovery-from-her-ordeal/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) [Explore all 699 Catherine Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) ## More Aunt quotes > [“My aunt Carol hasn’t heard her say a word in the whole six years and three months of Grace’s life—not a single syllable. 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I won’t judge you--not for anything.” Loretta stiffened. “What could you judge me for?” She pulled away. Rachel averted her face. “Oh, Aunt Rachel, not you, too? Is it a crime to live through something like this and emerge unharmed? I did starve myself. I chose death, just like any self-respecting woman would. But then he promised to bring me home, and I started eating again. He hadn’t harmed me, and I figured--” Loretta broke off. It was clear as rain Aunt Rachel didn’t believe her. “Merciful heaven, would you rather I was dead?” Amy groaned and tossed her head. Lowering her voice, Rachel replied, “No, I wouldn’t rather you were dead!” She lifted trembling hands to her face. “Lord, no. I--oh, Loretta Jane, no. I love you. I just can’t understand. You come home looking fit as a fiddle, claiming they didn’t touch you? I saw you kiss him with my own eyes. And Tom said you shared the Comanche’s bed, that it appeared you were receiving good treatment. I can only wonder what you had to do to survive so you could be here tonight. It’s amazing what we women can live through--the things we’re willing to put up with just to get by. Look at me. Stuck here in this unforgiving land with a man I despise. Do you think having him touch me is pleasant? But I let him and pretend I like it. Without him, where would the three of us be?” Loretta couldn’t answer. For an instant it was like being mute again, her throat felt so tight. She could understand Uncle Henry’s not believing her. He was one tier short of a full cord, anyway, and a body expected him to be an imbecile. But Aunt Rachel? That hurt--a bone-deep hurt that would be a long time in easing. Even if eloquence had been hers, Loretta would have offered no defense. She knew the truth, and that would have to be enough. Aunt Rachel stood up and wiped her palms on her shift. “I’m here if you need an ear. You can count on me.” With that, she left the loft. Loretta wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed out the window at the moonlit yard, remembering another night, a lifetime ago, when Hunter had sat astride his black stallion there, his arm lifted to her in a salute, his fisted hand holding her stolen bloomers. 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