It had been two years since the terrible accident that killed my daughter Monica and her husband Stephen. I thought that. Even though the sadness was still there, things were slowly getting better. My attention turned to taking care of my grandsons, Andy and Peter.
Then, I got a letter from someone I didn’t know that said, “They’re not really gone.” The words burned into my mind, making me feel both hopeful and scared.
It got worse when my credit card company sent me a message. I had kept Monica’s old card as a souvenir, and it showed that it had been used recently. When I called the bank, the customer service worker told me that a virtual card had been made and linked to the account.
I got chills when I heard what they said. Monica must have used the card before she was thought to be dead. Why would someone act like they are dead?
“Grandma, look!” my grandkids yelled, adding to the mystery. “At the beach, that’s our mum and dad!” At a nearby café, a pair that looked like Monica and Stephen were sitting.
With my heart pounding, I followed behind them and heard what they were saying. It was dangerous, and they missed their kids. I was shocked, angry, and sad all at the same time.
When the police came after I called 911, Monica and Stephen’s story began to unfold. They faked their own deaths to get away from loan sharks and their bills.
As they told their story, I found it hard to make sense of how I felt. They had left their kids, which caused them a lot of pain. Still, they said they did it to keep them safe.
It was sad to see each other again. Andy and Peter were thrilled to see their parents, but I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that I had been lied to.
Monica and Stephen were taken away by the police, and I had to deal with the repercussions. What would I tell my grandkids about this?
That night, I was by myself, and the unidentified letter was in front of me. “They’re not really gone.” The words were stronger now.
I wasn’t sure if calling the cops was the right thing to do. Should I have kept my daughter’s secrets safe?
There is still the question: was it right for me to tell the truth, or should I have kept them hidden?
