On the above paragraph, what dose "Horace won't be around to take the hit and clean up the mess." mean?

Question

Dear Like To Know: Confession may be good for the soul, but it won't do much for Horace's wife to know that their years together have been a lie. She will be angry and bitter, and Horace won't be around to take the hit and clean up the mess. If Horace wants to die with a clear conscience, he should talk to his clergyperson and unburden himself. He should not leave this earth tormenting his wife.

*On the above paragraph, what dose "Horace won't be around to take the hit and clean up the mess." mean?

Answer 1

Because Horace is dying, he won't be around to face the aftermath of confessing his infidelities (take the hit) or work on rebuilding the lost trust or provide emotional support for his now suffering wife (clean up the mess). The whole point of what they are saying is that is would be cruel to his wife to mkake the confession to her...for her ignorance is bliss, it would be better for her to keep her happier memories. If he needs to unburden himself, he should go to a less personally involved party like the mentioned clergyperson or maybe a therapist.

Answer 2

Horace won't be around to take the blame and suffer the consequences.