My five-year-old son asked me, “Mom, why don’t we use Daddy’s secret car?” as I was cleaning the vehicle.
To be honest, our car was in very bad condition. It always smelled of sawdust and raw wood, and I shared it with my husband, Silas, who works as a carpenter. Dust, crumpled fast-food bags, misplaced equipment, and a few loose nails and bolts made the floor like a little construction site.
Owen ruled the back, while Silas owned the front. A mess of sticky juice boxes, half-empty chip bags, and broken crayons. It seemed hard to keep this automobile clean between grocery shopping, school runs, and visits to my ailing mother.
However, I had an opportunity that Saturday when Silas was brought to a construction site by one of his coworkers, Nate. I was the only owner of the car. I made the brave decision to fight the mess. Owen enthusiastically offered to assist, brandishing his rag as a valiant weapon. We collaborated for thirty minutes.
Then, panting, he sat on the curb and naively inquired:
– “Why don’t we take Daddy’s hidden car, Mom?”
A beat skipped in my chest.
—“What is the secret car?”
Carefree, Owen continued:
– “The blue, sparkly one. The keys were handed to him by the curly-haired woman. They were both giggling. Lila was watching me when I saw them. You visited Grandma.
The sponge slipped out of my grasp as I froze. Another woman, Silas? An unidentified vehicle?
After dropping Owen off with his babysitter that night, I gave my best friend Hannah a call. We all agreed to follow Silas.
We watched him emerge a few hours later, carrying a little case, and approach a gleaming blue automobile. A woman with brown hair was waiting already. My blood froze. “Go with them. Stay away. Hannah’s expression was particularly serious as she nodded.
Keeping two cars behind us at all times, we followed them through twisting streets. They drove across downtown and stopped in front of a contemporary office building with a glass façade.
— “I’m getting in,” I declared, taking off my seat belt.
Hannah took hold of my arm.
— “Hold on… Are you insane?
— “I think so. But I must know.
She gave a nod.
– “I’ll wait right here. If you need me, give me a call.
I squeezed her hand and said, “Thanks, Han,” before leaving.
My pulse thumping, I followed them stealthily inside. Behind a door marked Private Office, they vanished. I could see the woman opening a laptop via the small window
The package was placed before her by Silas. A beautifully carved antique necklace with a brilliant sapphire was inside. Priceless.
After carefully examining the jewel, she tapped rapidly on the keyboard. My thoughts was racing: a present? A mistress?
I took a step back, trembling, and the door opened abruptly. When he saw me, Silas froze in shock.
—“Why have you come here?
— “Who is she? That is the actual question. And why this particular necklace?
After going pallid, he muttered:
– “Come, let’s talk.”
Silas sighed deeply as he got back in the car. Subtly, Hannah had returned to stand guard.
With fatigue, he murmured, “It’s not what you think.” “My mother owned this jewelry. I was attempting to market it.
I couldn’t speak. Sell a memento like that?
His eyes fell.
— “I obtained a loan to pay for your mother’s medical expenses. I believed I could manage it, but the debt became too much for me. The woman you saw, Nora, works as a financial advisor. She is assisting me in solving the problem.
Deep shame took the place of my fury.
— “Silas How come you didn’t tell me?
His eyes were sparkling.
– “Because I wanted to keep you safe.” I believed I had to bear this burden by myself.
I grasped his hand.
— “You’re not by yourself. We work as a team.
He shuddered.
— “I believed that the only option was to sell the necklace.”
— “No,” I said softly. “We’ll work together to overcome this.”
And we did just that. We found a way forward by reducing spending, working more hours, and, with Nora’s assistance, restructuring the debt.
But the jewelry remained with us. In order to preserve it for Owen as a memento of our journey and our efforts, I persuaded Silas.
I remember that “secret” that might have destroyed our marriage today. Rather, it strengthened our bond. Despite its imperfections, our existence is filled with love. And it’s the only thing that counts.
