I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN WHO DID A HUGE HOLE IN OUR BACKYARD AND WHY WHEN WE RETURNED FROM VACATION.<\/p>\n
Karen had a stomach virus and we had to cancel our beach excursion. After we got home, I wanted to collapse on the couch, but I decided to check outside first.<\/p>\n
Then I saw it. Large pit on our lawn.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s this? I mumbled, approaching the edge.<\/p>\n
A shovel, water bottle, and other rubbish were at the bottom. I almost called 911, but then I had a wild idea. Imagine if the digger knew we were leaving and was returning.<\/p>\n
Karen was pale when I looked. \u201cHi honey? Park the automobile in the garage. Act like we\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded weakly. Frank, say what you want. Going to lie down.\u201d<\/p>\n
I camped near a window and watched the night. Hours passed, and I was about to abandon up when a shadow jumped our fence.<\/p>\n
The figure crawled toward the hole and fell in, racing my heart. This was my chance.<\/p>\n
I snuck outdoors with my phone to call the police. As I reached the pit, I heard grunting and metal hitting ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey!\u201d Shining my phone\u2019s spotlight down, I shouted. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
The digger squinted at the brightness. My jaw fell. It was George, who sold us this house last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrank?\u201d he inquired, similarly shocked. \u201cWhy are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n
I live here, remember? What are you doing in my yard at midnight?<\/p>\n
George frowned. He emerged from the hole ashamed. I\u2019ll explain. Please refrain from calling the police.<\/p>\n
I crossed arms. Start talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
George sighed. \u201cMy grandfather owned this place. It was just discovered that he hid something valuable. I believed I could find it while you were away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou broke into my yard to dig for treasure?\u201d What I heard was unbelievable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know how it sounds,\u201d George said. But it\u2019s true. Look, I\u2019ll negotiate. Dig with me and we\u2019ll split what we discover. Fifty-fifty.\u201d<\/p>\n
I should\u2019ve declined. Must have contacted the police then. But George\u2019s eyes\u2014desperation, hope, maybe both\u2014made me hesitate.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I said. \u201cBut we finish and fill this in, treasure or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
George nodded eagerly. \u201cDeal.\u201d<\/p>\n
We dug for hours, sharing stories between shovelfuls.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly are we looking for?\u201d I asked, wiping sweat off my brow.<\/p>\n
George shrugged. Not sure. Anything\u2014cash, jewels, etc. Grandpa was bank-phobic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through digging, I found more about George. He lost his job and his wife had cancer. \u201cThis treasure could change everything for us,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
I nodded, thinking his comments were important. \u201cLife is funny. One moment you struggle, the next\u2026<\/p>\n
George answered, \u201cExactly,\u201d with hope.<\/p>\n
We kept working, grateful for the cold night air. Every now and then, one of us would hit something hard and freeze, hearts racing. It was always another rock.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d I replied, attempting to keep the conversation going, \u201ctell me about your grandfather. Why did you believe he\u2019d hide something?<\/p>\n
Breathing, George leaned on his shovel. My grandpa was a character. Always complaining about the government and banks. He told stories about hidden wealth and hiding places.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou believed him?\u201d Kindly, I requested.<\/p>\n
A bashful George smiled. \u201cNot initially. But then I found his old journal. It had mysterious notes and property sketches. One page showed a large X where we\u2019re digging.\u201d<\/p>\n
It sounded intriguing. \u201cWhat could it be?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my wildest dreams? George answered, \u201cGold coins or rare jewels,\u201d beaming. But honestly, I\u2019d be satisfied with anything now. A few thousand dollars would help us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nodded, understanding too well. Yes, I understand. Life is pricey now.\u201d<\/p>\n
We settled into digging and conversing. George explained his job loss and the company\u2019s sudden downsizing. I talked about Karen and me, our house finances, and our future plans.<\/p>\n
I felt a connection as we worked. Two guys from different backgrounds were united by the chance of backyard treasure. A bit crazy, yet kind of beautiful.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know,\u201d I remarked, stretching my back, \u201ceven if we don\u2019t find anything, this has been\u2026 Sort of fun?<\/p>\n
George smiled after being startled. Yes, hasn\u2019t it? I appreciate Frank not calling the police on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
We chuckled as the music boomed through the night.<\/p>\n
But as the sky brightened, hope evaporated. Digging halfway to China yielded just rocks and roots.<\/p>\n
George slumped on the hole-side. Honestly, I thought\u2026 I was confident\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Felt for him. Hey, it was worth a shot, right? Come, I\u2019ll drive you home.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a few shovelfuls of dirt, we gave up and jumped into my car\u2014George had taken a cab to my house. We thought during the silent drive.<\/p>\n
A woman ran out the front door when we arrived at George\u2019s residence. Must be Margaret, I thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge!\u201d she wailed. Where have you been? I\u2019m sick with worry!\u201d<\/p>\n
George got out of the car like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar. I\u2019m sorry, honey. \u201cI was just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret narrowed her gaze at me. \u201cWho is this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepping forward, I extended my hand. \u201cI\u2019m Frank. We bought your previous house last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
She recognized, then blushed. \u201cOh no. George, you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head hanged, George. I\u2019m sorry, Maggie. Honestly, I thought\u2026<\/p>\n
Margaret faced me. \u201cSorry about this. My husband has a wild theory about buried treasure.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not crazy!\u201d George objected. \u201cMy grandfather\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour grandfather was a storyteller, dear,\u201d Margaret replied gently. Remember what the lawyer stated regarding his estate?<\/p>\n
George looked dejected. \u201cBut I was certain\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt like I was disturbing a private moment. \u201cNo harm done. We\u2019ll just tidy up the yard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret nodded vigorously. Of course. We\u2019ll cover everything. I apologize again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need to pay,\u201d I said, \u201cthe exercise will do me good. Also, my wife and I have been discussing about a pool\u2014maybe now is the time!\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret giggled, and George grabbed my arm as I left. I thank you, Frank. For everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
I squeezed his shoulder and grinned. Do not mention it. Call me if you want a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n
George looked astonished, then thankful. Yes, I\u2019d enjoy that.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was disappointed but connected as I drove home. The desperate hope of George spread.<\/p>\n
I found Karen awake, looking better but bewildered. Where have you been? What happened to our yard?<\/p>\n
Sitting next to her on the couch, I told her everything. At the end, she shook her head yet smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly you, Frank,\u201d she kissed my cheek. \u201cOnly you would spend all night digging for treasure with a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n
A laugh. \u201cMaybe I found something after all.\u201d<\/p>\n
An eyebrow lifted by Karen. \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot gold or jewels,\u201d I said. \u201cBut a reminder that sometimes the real treasures are our connections. We share stories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen grinned despite rolling her eyes. \u201cEven you find that cheesy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe,\u201d I said. \u201cWhy not invite George and Margaret over for dinner next week?\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen was startled, then reflective. \u201cYou know? It sounds wonderful. Fix that hole in our yard first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groaned, but couldn\u2019t argue. Walking out to assess the damage in daylight made me happy. Life had unexpected adventures, but not always buried gold.<\/p>\n
This is sometimes enough to treasure.<\/p>\n
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. The author does not imply any resemblance to real people, events, or places.<\/p>\n
From amomama.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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