Erabaru.net. Tina’s husband, Adam, suggested a vacation to a specific location in South Dakota. He didn’t know why until he snuck out one night. He followed her for 20 minutes until they entered an eerie cave and what he saw inside was completely unexpected.
“To be honest, I don’t understand why you chose South Dakota. We can go to New York. Seeing a Broadway show, or even Disney World would be better. But South Dakota? What is it?” Tina whines while her husband Adam drives and insists they are going somewhere good.
“South Dakota is amazing, honey. My parents always took me there since childhood. There are hotels near the forest, guided cave tours and lots of other things,” said Adam, smiling but focused on the road.
“So? What’s so great about caves? Wait, we don’t live in a cave, do we?” he panicked.
“No, no. I know you won’t like it. But we’re going to see Mount Rushmore and other great things. It will be great. See you later,” he continued, more cheerful than he had ever seen. He sighed and decided to enjoy this vacation as much as possible.
Their tour to Mount Rushmore wasn’t bad. He enjoyed himself more than expected and bought some nice souvenirs for his parents at the gift shop.
“See? Do you like it. I know you’ll love it,” Adam said as they relaxed back in their hotel.
“You’re right. Extraordinary. Also, the view of this hotel is amazing. Did you live here with your parents when you were little?” Tina wondered, looking out the window.
“Not. This hotel is newer. I think this used to be a place for car campers, but my parents and I don’t live there. We just passed and explored the forest. Pleasant. I like caves,” Adam said, absently unraveling a nice shirt.
“Okay darling. I need to clean up,” Tina said and walked into the bathroom.
Several hours later, he lay in bed and almost fell asleep. He must have actually been asleep for a few minutes, but some jolt woke him up. She opened one eye and saw her husband at the foot of the bed.
He just stayed silent, and Tina felt a chill down her spine. But he was pretending to be asleep when she turned to him. He heard their hotel room door open and close and rushed out of bed.
Where is she going? What happened?” he asked himself – hysterical thoughts running through his head. He must follow it. Therefore, Tina looked around and grabbed a T-shirt, sweater and sweatpants to escape the cold outside.
Fortunately, they were on the ground floor, so he saw clearly how she left the front door of the hotel and walked back into the forest. Is he crazy?
Tina walked a few steps behind him, trying not to be noticed by his presence. But he kept going. He was focused on getting somewhere, and Tina needed to know where, even though something in her heart told her that ignorance was better.
No, it’s better to know the truth. It’s always better, he shook off the thought and continued on his way.
After walking for nearly 20 minutes, they approached a cave, though Tina would never have known it was there if Adam hadn’t walked right in. He stopped and steeled himself outside. This was the scariest moment of his life. Who randomly walked into the cave? What is she doing?
He entered slowly, trying to be careful, and stepped further in until a sound echoed within the walls.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” said a woman’s voice. Who’s that?
“I don’t believe it either. I’m just taking a risk,” Adam answered. “Emily, I… it’s been 15 years, but it feels like only yesterday.”
“Oh, Adam,” the voice sighed, and their conversation ended. Tina’s heart shattered as the clear and passionate sound of kissing resounded throughout the area. But somehow, he still couldn’t believe it. He had to see it with his own eyes, even in this dark and ugly cave.
There is a bright spot. One of them dropped his phone, lighting up the area, or maybe, on purpose.
But the scene in front of him was certain. They kiss, and things get more intense than that.
Tina couldn’t watch anymore. He left and almost ran back to the hotel. Luckily, he didn’t get lost as the hotel lights were easy to follow no matter how long they had walked towards the cave. Back in his room, he grabbed his bag and everything he could find, including the car keys.
He rushed out of there, not caring about anything, and got into the car. It was Adam’s car, but he didn’t care. He was having an affair with a woman in a cave in South Dakota! To hell with him!
So he drives but quickly realizes he doesn’t know the area well, so he stops at another hotel, gets a room, and tries his best to get some rest. Luckily it had been a tiring day, so Tina was tired enough to shut out her aching heart and racing brain.
The next day, he checked out and went to a local restaurant for breakfast. He sits at the counter.
“What would you like to drink?” a maid asked.
“What do you have?” Tina wondered.
“Normal. Coffee, orange juice, soda. I don’t know,” said the woman, confused.
“Is there something stronger?”
“It’s 9 am,” the woman said, frowning.
“Okay, then make some coffee. But please make it really dark,” Tina asked as she rubbed her forehead.
“Bad night?” a male voice said next to her, and Tina turned to the friendly round face that grinned at her slightly.
Normally, he wouldn’t talk to strangers, even if they looked friendly. But he is right. Last night was the worst of his life.
“You could say that,” he replied, flatly.
“I’m sure it’s no worse than mine,” he continued.
His eyebrows rose. “Oh really? How much are you going to bet?”
“Wow, are you that confident? Let me think about it,” the man paused. “Whoever has the worst story buys breakfast.”
“Agreed,” Tina said as the waitress brought over her coffee and took a sip of the bitter, spicy nectar.
“Then I shall begin,” said the man. “By the way, I’m Jerry. Last night was my fifth birthday with my boyfriend. We had the best time ever. That’s all that could possibly happen. But he woke me up at 4 this morning, telling me he was going for the ‘boy in the cave’.”
Tina almost spit out her coffee. “What?”
“That’s what I said. But he said he waited for the boy in the cave for 15 years and started packing,” Jerry continued, his eyes echoing how he felt about the memory. “He said it’s now or never, and he can’t lose her again. They will go together now. I think he’s mentally disturbed.”
“Oh my God,” Tina whispered. “What happened next?”
“I followed him, and another man was waiting for him in the lobby. He… his nice shirt was almost creased, so I knew something had happened. I just stood there watching them go,” Jerry finished, his mouth still open as if he was reliving the scene.
“Wow,” muttered Tina.
Jerry shook his head, clearing his memory, and smiled at Tina. “So is your story worse? Did I win the bet?”
“I don’t know if it’s worse or better… but basically the same,” Tina said with a pursed lips, and Jerry frowned. A few minutes later, they were both laughing at the ridiculousness.
They each paid for breakfast and parted ways, but not before they exchanged phone numbers. Tina came home, filed for divorce, and waited for the process to finish. He hadn’t heard much about the passionate cave lover, and frankly, he didn’t care.
Jerry becomes a texting friend because he lives five hours away. However, Tina applied for a job in her town and moved nearby. A few months later, they started dating and promised that they would never go on vacation near a cave.
What can we learn from this story?
The things that make you cry today will hurt less tomorrow. The heartbreak and pain from the bad memories fades as things eventually get better with time.
Something better will come when you least expect it. Maybe almost instantly. Tina found out about her husband’s infidelity and soon met her next husband, who was going through something similar.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.(yn)
Source: amomama
