Surprising His Family
In the midst of a deployment overseas, Lt. Chris Wilson received a message from a friend stating that his wife was selling off all of their furniture. In an attempt to surprise his wife and daughter, he requested an early leave.
However, once he saw the conditions in which his daughter lived, his suspicions were confirmed. His instincts told him that things were not right.
He Loved Her
It was impossible for Chris not to think about his wife when he was deployed. He was only able to keep going because of her. However, when he received a strange text from a friend back home, he was unsure what to do.
He knew he had to see for himself. He got off a plane a month early and made his way home. In his mind, if nothing was going on, he'd get to see his family early and surprise them in the process.
No Idea What To Expect
Chris was presented with a surprise once he returned home, however. There was no way of knowing what awaited him.
As far as he was concerned, he would surprise his wife. However, there was something hidden from him that he had never imagined. His daughter would be involved in it.
Terrible Conditions
Chris hoped it would be a wonderful reunion when he finally got home and entered through the front door. He instead found that a lot of their furniture had disappeared.
Nevertheless, it was just the beginning. He knew that leaving for so long was a bad idea once he saw the conditions.
A Military Man
Chris Wilson enjoyed watching Disney films with his daughter and going to family barbeques. However, because he also had another family to care for, it was difficult for him even though he was that kind of person.
His rank of Lieutenant added to the demands of the military family. Unlike privates, he had numerous obligations that dictated a long tour.
Not Enough Time
Consequently, Chris missed his wife dearly. It is even regrettable that he missed seeing his own daughter born. He regretted that greatly.
However, there was little that could be done about it. It was very comforting for Chris to know that his daughter understood and loved him so much. No matter how little time he spent with her. What did his wife think about it?
Did She Understand?
After everything they had been through, Chris was convinced that his wife understood the need for him to serve the country. All he could do was hope it was true.
Since he wasn't around to be her husband, did she start selling furniture and bury dark secrets during his absence? Eventually, Chris would figure it out.
A Hard Working Man
Chris worked hard on the military base despite not being able to go home all the time to support his family.
His wife worked her own job, but without his contribution, they would not have been able to live comfortably at home. As long as it was good enough for him, he was satisfied.
An Unexpected Message
After being out of active duty for three months, Chris got a surprise. The text was from a friend back home. As difficult as it was for Chris to keep in touch with all his friends, he tried to do so.
There was a lot he missed out on with his friends back home. His reaction was mixed when he saw the message from an old friend.
He Couldn’t Believe It
Whenever Chris was on duty, he left a lot of good people behind. Kenny, his closest friend in Dallas, Texas, always let him know what was happening back home.
But that was the weirdest part. He expected a weather report or some local drama. The story was about his wife, and he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Usually, Small Things
Kenny usually updated Chris on minor things just as a way of keeping in contact. It was normally what had happened on the local news, or the day-to-day felt in Dallas.
That's why when Chris peered down at his phone between shifts and read the message. He knew he had to get home as soon as possible. It would have him going to an administrator to request leave immediately.
The Message
The reason why the message was so concerning was that it had to do with his wife. Kenny never said anything to do with his wife. He never had any reason to, until now.
But it wasn't just the fact that it concerned Chris' wife that bothered him. It was the nature of the message that raised his suspicions and would have him asking for leave.
Moving Furniture
The message simply read, "Chris, I just thought you should know your wife is selling the furniture out of your house." Chris' eyes went wide. What was she doing with everything?
Alarm bells rang out in his head. The issue was that he wasn't scheduled for leave for another month. But he'd put on his best smile and see what he could do about it.
Asking For Leave
Chris requested leave from the administration office on the army base. He just hoped that they would give it to him due to his stellar record.
They told him they'd have to process the request, and he'd have to wait a day. The entire time, he worried about what was happening at home. Was she leaving him and didn't want to tell him?
Overthinking
Despite all of Chris' good characteristics, he was a bit of an overthinker. While he was waiting for his request, his mind over imagined what was going on at home.
He lay on his bunk that night thinking about everything that could go so wrong in his life. Even though he wasn't home much, it was still his life. Everything he cared for was in his house back home, but would he even have one to go back to?
Approved
The next day, Chris busied himself with the normal tasks on the base while he waited for the result to come back. By afternoon, he had gotten an email from just the faculty he was looking for.
It was about his requested leave. He opened the email and breathed a sigh of relief. His leave was approved immediately.
Flying Home
Chris chartered a flight back to Dallas and was happy to be coming home, even if it wasn't for the right reasons. He just hoped that it was nothing and that he'd be able to enjoy his time with his family.
He sat on his flight and pulled out a photo of his young daughter and his wife. Nothing made him happier, but what would he be met with when he got back?
Getting Home
After his flight, Chris got a cab back from the airport to his house. He felt a pang of anxiety as he pulled into the street where his house was. He expected to see it in shambles or maybe even a for-sale sign in the front yard.
But as the cab pulled out in front of the driveway, he looked at the house that he hadn't seen in three months with scrutinizing eyes. What would he make of it?
It Looked Normal
To Chris' surprise, the house looked just the way he had left it, at least on the outside. But as he walked towards the front door, he felt an uneasiness creep over him.
With every step closer, he felt dread slowly creep up his spine. He got to the front door and turned his key in the lock. But he had no idea what he would be met with once he walked inside.
His Friend Was Right
Chris walked into the living room and noticed that the couch was gone. A lot of the other furniture was missing too. He then turned to walk upstairs to check out the bedroom. He knew his daughter would be at school. But he didn't expect his wife to be home.
That's when he stumbled into something that he would never have thought possible. He heard his wife's voice from the bedroom. Then he heard the clear voice of a man. She definitely wasn't alone.
Furious
Chris felt his blood boil as he approached the door. He hated confrontations, but this was the last straw. He kicked the door open and looked into his bedroom.
His military training had kicked in, and he was ready to take on any threat in the room. But then he noticed that his wife wasn't in trouble. It was actually quite the opposite.
The Bed
Chris's eyes went to the bed in the corner, where he saw his wife and a stranger. He couldn't say or do anything. He just stood frozen at what he saw in front of him.
He didn't quite understand what was going on. His wife would have to give him a really good explanation to get out of this one. When she saw him, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Happy To See Him
The scene that Chris stumbled into was his wife standing on the bed without any sheets or duvets on it. It had been wrapped up like it was ready to be moved. But that wasn't everything. There was also a man in a boiler suit with her.
It was one of the strangest things he'd ever seen in his life. His wife, however, just seemed happy to see him. Tears streamed down her face as she went in to hug him. But she needed to explain herself.
What Was Going On?
Chris was a little relieved that the man seemed to be there for professional reasons. But what was going on?
Chris needed answers. And he would try to get them out of his wife. Before he could say anything, though, she told him that it would be better if they spoke in the kitchen. That was her first mistake.
Looking Into His Daughter's Room
As Chris turned to walk down the stairs, he couldn't help but peer into his daughter's open room. That's when his anger flared up again. He saw something very distressing.
Her daughter's bed was gone, and in its place were a few pillows on the ground. Was his princess really sleeping on the floor? What was going on?
Demanding Answers
Once in the kitchen, Chris demanded to know what was going on. Where was all of the furniture, and most importantly, where was his daughter's bed? Why was she sleeping on the floor?
"Well…" his wife started as she looked at the kitchen floor. "She has been sleeping on the floor, but don't worry about it." How could she say something like that? Then Chris' mind went to the worst thing it could.
Moving?
Were they moving out, maybe? It would explain the man upstairs moving out their beds and the furniture downstairs. Were his wife and daughter secretly moving away while he was on duty?
He mustered up the courage to ask her in a hoarse voice. But what he was about to tell him would break his heart more than any of his military-related injuries could.
A Matter Of Money
His wife explained in a sad tone that it was due to financial problems. Chris couldn't understand and asked her what she meant by that.
She broke down and spilled everything. It had been a long three months, and Chris clearly didn't know what was going on, but his wife was about to enlighten him on the grim turn of events.
Fired
"I had to take a pay cut from work, and that meant that we've had to scale back a few things in order to afford groceries, water, and electricity." She finally told Chris.
He couldn't believe it. So they weren't moving out. But it was almost as bad since it meant he had failed his family, and his own daughter had to sleep on the floor because of their financial situation. He understood why she didn't tell him. She was as proud as he was when it came to her career.
A Solution
Chris pondered a solution until it came to him. He reassured her that he would make a plan that would mean that they could at least sleep on beds like most people.
He had already devised his plan. He had been offered a promotion in rank along with a raise. He was going to wait and talk to his wife before making a decision. But now, it was a no-brainer. Everyone would be financially secure, and his daughter could get her bed back.