You’re really skipping the closing ceremony?” my coworker Linda asked as she watched me pack up my laptop. “The VP is giving the keynote speech. It could help your chances for a promotion.”
“For once, my marriage comes first. Ben and I haven’t had a real talk in weeks.”
“Regina, putting love before work?” she smiled. “Must be serious.”
“It is.” I checked the time on my phone. “If I leave now, I can catch the 6 p.m. flight and surprise my husband.”
“Go get your man,” Linda winked at me. “But text me when you land; these surprise returns don’t always go as planned.”
If only she knew how right she was.
Something felt strange as soon as I walked in the door. The house was too quiet for comfort. Through the kitchen window, dirty dishes piled up in the sink — not like Ben at all.
A half-empty coffee cup sat next to his laptop with a ring of dried coffee around its edge.
But when I got to the garden doors and stepped outside into our backyard, I FROZE.
Ben was standing there in our vegetable garden among tomato plants he’d been so proud of just weeks ago.
But it wasn’t his frantic movements that made me feel cold inside; it was this LARGE BLACK EGG sitting beside him.
“Just dig a little deeper,” he muttered under his breath. “It has to be deep enough to bury this thing.”
“Ben?” I called softly so he wouldn’t jump.
His face looked pale with fear; dirt smeared across his cheek while his hands shook slightly.
“REGINA?” He yelled loudly, panic clear in his voice. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
“I came home early to surprise you.” As I took another step closer, gravel crunched beneath my feet while that egg seemed to glow under the light—drawing all of my attention towards it. “Though honestly? I’m surprised myself! What is THAT?”
“It’s NOTHING.”
“Nothing? Ben! That doesn’t look like ‘NOTHING.’ What’s going on here?”
“I’ll explain later! Please just go inside!”
“Later?”
“Please trust me on this Regina! I’m handling what needs doing!”
“What exactly are you handling?” My voice raised slightly now because from where I’m standing? My husband seems either totally losing it or—”
Around 3 a.m., through our bedroom window—I saw him check on where he’d buried that mysterious egg pacing around like some kind of guard.
What’s wrong with him? What is he hiding?
Morning came way too fast! After waiting until Ben’s car drove off down our street—I grabbed that garden shovel!
I jumped when Mr.Chen peered over our fence looking closely at what was in my hands!
“I saw someone digging around your garden late last night,” he said slowly watching carefully if everything’s okay?
“All fine!” Quickly hiding behind myself—the egg behind me—just… gardening!”
Something bigger than normal must’ve been happening making usually calm husband act crazy digging away back there!
With shaky fingers wrapping up that egg tightly into an old blanket tucked away behind lawn tools inside garage—it may have been outta sight but never outta mind!
As soon as starting engine radio clicked on automatically news anchor’s voice cut through foggy tiredness making blood run cold:
Breaking news: Local authorities found huge counterfeit operation targeting antique collectors selling fake antiques including unique black egg-shaped plastic containers costing buyers millions…
“Reggie…I-I can explain—”
“How much did you pay for this thing?” cutting off mid-sentence
He sank down into chair shoulders slumped low saying ”Fifteen thousand.”
“Oh wow…Ben.”
Image fo r illustrative purpose only.< / figcaptio n >
“I wanted t o surprise y ou.” His voic e cracked slightly “This guy said knew someone selling rare artifacts claiming th eegg would triple value within year.”
“I know,” slumping forward again “When realized fake couldn’t face admit threw money away plastic egg.”
Squeezing fingers gently saying “Don’t need expensive trips or ancient artifacts just want husband talk even hard times especially then!”
“As reminder we need grow trust each other.” Leaning against him smiling maybe conversation piece ‘Hey wanna hear about time buried fake artifact backyard?!’
Ben laughed shakily but real “Love ya Reggie even when idiot.”
“Lucky you love idiots!” Kissing forehead softly saying “Now let’s figure getting money back together!”