Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Wow! (03/11/10)
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TITLE: Hidden Treasure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rali Macaulay
03/18/10 -
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It was only Tuesday, but it seemed like a long week already… my mind raced through all that needed to be done that day as I bushed my teeth and got the kids ready for school.
Peju (5 years old) had just started kindergarten and was so excited about getting on the school bus to go to a “real” school, as she’d say. She hurried her breakfast not wanting to miss the bus.
“Dad coming back today?” Tobi, my eight year old asked.
“Maybe.” I grunted
The kids ask me this question everyday.
I stood there a moment longer as the last school bus drove off, before turning back to go tidy up and get my day’s assignment started.
My husband of 11 years had suddenly stopped coming home for the past 3 months, well not suddenly. There had been series of disagreements and misunderstandings between us and finally, not able to take it any longer. I bluntly told him to give me some space.
It had all started when he inherited some money from his grandma. For some reason he had insisted we stayed in the same house, use the same old car and yes, we could go on vacation, but it was going to be the exact same vacation planned before we got this inheritance!
I couldn’t understand it. Married to a miser, or what? Gradually, the tension started to build up, and got worse with each passing day. The friction got greater than either of us had expected, as I could not understand what was going on, neither was he saying more than “Just trust me”. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. Especially when he started to come back really late.
“Mrs. Stephens?”
“Yes!” I was jolted back to the present. I hadn’t heard steps approaching as I sat with my laptop on my front porch.
“I’m an attorney representing Mr. Stephens, and I have some legal documents here…” I didn’t hear the rest of his speech. My heart raced, no pounded… had it gotten to this? I was speechless.
“Mrs. Stephens?”
“Oh yes. I’m sorry. You were saying?”
“Your husband wanted you to take possession of the home he built you. He had been on this project for a couple of years now, but wanted it to be a surprise for you, knowing how concerned you had been about your retirement and
kids’ future”
I sat there thinking I must not have heard right, my mouth wide opened ready to talk, but no words came out… like I had temporarily lost the connection between my thinking and my speech.
“Bu..il..t a house? For us?” I finally managed to mutter
“Yes, I have the title deed here with your name on it, and a package from your husband”
My hands shook as I open the package. I pulled out the letter from underneath the keys and my heart broke as I read his apology for not letting me know before now.
“No,” I thought, “I owe him an apology for not trusting him” I had been so engrossed in what I thought was our treasure, but had tossed away the true treasure the Lord had given me – a loving and faithful husband!
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I'm a little bit disturbed that the husband kept the secret for 3 months, even though the wife was obviously distressed. Would the surprise of the new house be worth that much strain on a marriage?
You wrote the character of the wife very well--I felt every emotion right along with her.
I enjoyed your story. Liked the ending. It's interesting where our minds can go without the facts. Congratulations on the Highly Commended award. God bless you as your write for Him.