But the scene remained unchanged — my husband, digging what looked like a grave for some alien artifact in our backyard.
“Ben?” I called out softly, careful not to startle him.
He whirled around, shovel clattering against something metal in the hole.
His face, usually so composed, was pale with panic. A streak of dirt ran across his cheek, and I noticed his hands were shaking.
“REGINA?” He shrieked, his voice trembling and loud. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
“I came home early to surprise you.” I took a step closer, gravel crunching under my feet.
The egg seemed to pulse in the lamplight, drawing my eyes.
“Though I think I’m the one who’s surprised. What is THAT thing?”
“It’s NOTHING.” His words came too fast, too sharp.
He moved to stand between me and the egg. “Reggie, just go inside, honey.
You shouldn’t be here.”
“Nothing?
Ben, I don’t think that’s ‘NOTHING.’ What is it? What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later. Please go inside.”
“Later?” I gestured at the hole he’d been digging.
“You’re burying something that looks like it came from a sci-fi movie in our garden at sunset, and you want me to wait for an explanation?”
Ben ran his fingers through his hair, leaving streaks of dirt across his forehead.
His eyes darted between me and the street as if expecting someone.
“Please, Regina. Trust me on this.
I’m just doing what needs to be done. I’m handling it.”
“Handling what exactly?” My voice rose.
“Because from where I’m standing, my husband is either having some kind of breakdown or—”
“I said I’m handling it!” The force in his voice made me step back.
In three years of marriage, I’d never heard him shout.
“Fine.” I turned toward the house, tears stinging my eyes. “Handle it yourself. Just like you’ve been handling everything else lately.”
“Reggie, wait—” He reached for me, but I pulled away.
“Don’t.
Just… don’t.”
Sleep evaded me that night.
Ben never came to bed, and the couch creaked periodically with his restless movements. Around 3 a.m., I heard the back door open and close.
Through the bedroom window, I watched him check on the place where he’d buried the mysterious egg, pacing around it like a sentry.
What’s wrong with him? What is he hiding from me?
Morning came too quickly.
I waited until Ben’s car disappeared down the street before grabbing the garden shovel.
My hands trembled as I approached the freshly turned earth. I HAD TO DIG UP THAT THING!
“What are you hiding, Ben?” I whispered, pushing the shovel into the soft dirt.
It took 20 minutes of digging before I hit something solid. The egg was surprisingly light when I unearthed it, though my arms shook with the effort.
Up close, its surface felt wrong — not like shell, but like… plastic?
I twisted it slightly, and to my shock, it separated in the middle like some oversized Easter egg.
Empty.
Completely empty except for more layers of black plastic.
“Regina?” Someone called out from behind.
I jumped, nearly dropping the egg. Our elderly neighbor, Mr.
Chen, peered over the fence, his eyes fixed on the object in my hands.
“I saw someone in your garden late last night,” he said slowly. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” I said quickly, hiding the egg behind me.
“Just… gardening.”
His expression said he didn’t believe me, but he nodded politely and disappeared.
I waited until I heard his door close before examining the egg more closely. The craftsmanship was impressive, but it was definitely artificial. What had Ben gotten himself into?
My mind raced through possibilities.
This wasn’t just about a buried object.
It was about Ben’s bizarre behavior and the way he was terrified when he saw me home early.
Something bigger was happening. Something that made my usually steady-handed husband dig like a madman in our backyard.
With trembling fingers, I wrapped the egg in an old blanket and tucked it behind the lawn equipment in our garage.
It was out of sight, but not out of mind.
“Think, Regina, think,” I muttered, pacing the concrete floor. “Maybe this was some elaborate joke?
A midlife crisis?
Or something far more sinister?”
I dragged myself to the car, hoping work might distract me from this madness.
The radio clicked on automatically as I started the engine. The news anchor’s voice cut through my fog of exhaustion, making my blood run cold:
“Breaking news: Local authorities have uncovered a massive counterfeit operation targeting antique collectors. The scammers sold fake antiques, including unique black egg-shaped plastic containers, to unsuspecting buyers.
Total losses are estimated in the millions…”
My coffee cup slipped from my fingers, splashing across the dashboard.
The pieces started falling into place. That evening, I placed the egg on our kitchen table and waited.
When Ben walked in, his briefcase hit the floor with a thud.
“Reggie, I-I can explain—”
“How much did you pay for this thing?” I cut him off.
He sank into a chair, his shoulders slumped. “Fifteen thousand.”
“Jesus, Ben.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” His voice cracked.
“This guy at work, he said he knew someone selling rare artifacts.
Said the egg was some ancient fertility symbol that would triple in value within a year.”
He pressed his palms against his eyes. “I used our savings. I was going to sell it and take you on that European trip you’ve always wanted.”
“The trip we’ve been saving for?
That we’ve talked about for years?” My voice quavered.
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Because I’m an idiot who got scammed like some naive teenager. I was so ashamed.” He looked up, eyes red-rimmed.
“Things have been so tight lately, with your mom’s medical bills and the house repairs. I just wanted to fix everything.”
“By gambling our savings on some stranger’s promise?”
“I know, I know.” He slumped forward.
“When I realized it was fake, I couldn’t face you.
Couldn’t admit I’d thrown away our money on a plastic egg.”
“We’ll figure this out,” I said, moving around the table to take his hand. “But no more secrets, okay? We’re supposed to be partners.”
“I filed a police report this morning,” Ben added.
“They said we’re not the only ones.
Apparently, this guy’s been targeting young professionals and antique collectors, playing on their financial stress.”
I squeezed his fingers. “I don’t need expensive trips or ancient artifacts.
I just need my husband to talk to me, even when things get hard. Especially when things get hard.”
“What should we do with it?” Ben gestured at the egg, still gleaming mockingly in the kitchen light.
I studied it for a moment.
“Maybe we’ll plant it in the garden for real.
Right next to those tomatoes you’ve been trying to grow.”
“As a reminder of what not to do?” A ghost of a smile crossed his face.
“As a reminder that the only thing we need to grow is our trust in each other.” I leaned against him. “And maybe as a conversation piece. ‘Hey, want to hear about the time my husband buried a fake artifact in our backyard?!’”
Ben’s laugh was shaky but real.
“I love you, Reggie.
Even when I’m an idiot.”
“Lucky for you, I love idiots.” I kissed his forehead. “Now, let’s figure out how to get our money back.
Together this time.”
🤔🤔🤔
Source: amomama
