An Honest Confession by an American Coward by Pat Conroy (Pat Conroy's novels include: The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline, and Beach Music. He lives on Fripp Island, South Carolina.) This essay is from his forthcoming book, "My Losing Season." --------------------------------------------------- The true things always ambush me on the road and take me by surprise when I am drifting down the light of placid days, careless about flanks and rearguard actions. I was not looking for a true thing to come upon me in the state of New Jersey. Nothing has ever happened to me...