Thad's intention in visiting his parents' house was to spend quality time with his father, visit his mother's memorial garden, and introduce the love of his life, Janice, to his family.
He had barely been there for a day when a realistic dream woke him from his sleep. He was covered in sweat and rushed outside with his shovel in hand. Before she died, he'd observed his mother visit that location in the garden for many years. He would learn why that evening.
Things Were Going Well
Twenty-nine-year-old Thad Coleman was a resident of Jacksonville, Florida. He was successful for his age and graduated from a top business school. His career as a community manager at one of the most prestigious tech companies was flourishing.
Things were also looking great for his personal life as well. He had met a fantastic girl recently, and she meant the world to him. She was so important to him, and he really wanted to introduce her to his father. He had no idea that a simple trip back home would lead to the discovery of a secret that had been kept hidden for 25 years.
His Childhood Home
Janice and Thad were about five hours away from his childhood home. His father decided to continue living in the house, and Thad was welcome to visit whenever he wanted to.
However, work was crazy. He also spent more time getting to know Janice, which meant he did not go back home as often. They had been dating for a few months before Thad felt ready to introduce Janice to his dad. His journey back home would be unlike any other he had ever taken before.
True Love
Thad shared with Janice that his family was excited to meet her. They had been dating for more than a year at that point, and they knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
Thad kept a ring in his pockets for months, but he wanted to get his father's approval first before getting down on one knee. Janice excitedly agreed to meet his family, and within the blink of an eye, they were in Miami.
Back Home
Thad gave his father a tight hug as soon as he saw him. However, as the two entered the house, Thad's gaze fell on his mother's memorial garden, bringing back memories of a different time.
He recalled his childhood in Miami when his family had recently relocated from Chicago. Thad became ill as a result of climate change, and his parents were scared they might lose him for over a month. This would be the start of a lengthy affair.
Nostalgia
Thad was brought to the hospital by his parents, where he stayed for many days. However, when he was discharged from the hospital, his mother arrived with a present that brought him to tears.
Thad explained, "It was a small golden retriever puppy." The puppy was a rescue, and Thad's mother thought it would be a good match for Thad, who had struggled to make friends in Miami. However, the happy occasion would soon turn foul.
A Different Time
"I came home one day to find him whining in the corner alone," Thad explained how he found his puppy, who is now six months old after he returned home from school.
The dog didn't rush to welcome him as he usually did, preferring to sulk in the corner. Thad and his mother took it to the veterinarian later that night. The doctor's news, on the other hand, would break their hearts.
Bad News
"He claimed the dog had stage three cancer," Thad explained, "which, while rare, wasn't uncommon." Of course, he was far too young to comprehend what was going on, especially after his mother assured him that his puppy would be fine.
But when he returned home a week later, the puppy was gone. He was concerned at first, but his mother informed him that it had been transferred to a ranch in upstate New York for treatment. Despite the fact that Thad trusted her, he knew something was up.
The Spot
He saw his mother go to a mound in her flower garden every evening. Almost an hour went by before she moved. She read books there sometimes, and sometimes she sat thinking about who knows what.
Years went by, but she continued to return to the same place. Then, when Thad was still in university, he heard the news that would profoundly impact his life.
Loss
Thad received a phone call from his father, who told him that his mother had a heart attack and needed to be hospitalized. Even though Thad and his father spent the next week with their mother, she would eventually pass away.
Thad was twenty-five then, and he remembers the agony he felt knowing he'd never be able to sit down with his mother to eat again. He had no idea what his mother had buried deep in their garden.
Taking Her Into His Past
Thad introduced Janice to his dad, and they all had a wonderful evening together. They poured through his photos and videos, reminiscing on his childhood until late at night.
But as Thad retired to his and Janice’s room, he couldn’t help but remember his childhood, his mom, and the first friend he’d made in Miami. What he would uncover that night would make him burst into tears.
Dreams And Memories
It was well past five in the morning when Thad jolted awake. Walking down memory lane with his dad and girlfriend had awoken memories within him, powering the most realistic dream about his childhood.
Thad remembered that his mom started visiting the garden a few days after taking his puppy to the ranch. Now that he was an adult, he knew his mom had the vet put down the dog. But did she bury it in the garden?
Going To Dig It Out
Armed with a shovel, flashlight, and the burning need to know, Thad marched to the garden and surveyed the place. A few paces from his mom’s memorial was the spot she always sat at. Is that where she buried his dog?
Thad didn’t know what he’d find even as he dug his shovel into the dirt. But he knew he couldn’t sleep until he uncovered what his mom had been hiding all this time. He dug deeper until his shovel struck against something metallic.
Metal Against Metal
Thad took a deep breath and scraped his shovel against the metallic surface. Janice and his dad had woken up by now and were helping him remove the dirt from the hole after he explained everything.
They pulled out a metal box from the pit, but it was too small for burying a puppy. After dusting it, Thad’s dad pried it open. Its contents sent shivers down their spines.
Frozen In Time
The sun had come up when Thad’s dad unveiled what the box had been hiding for more than two decades. It was a time capsule made up of several pictures of Thad and his puppy and a small note addressed to him. His mom thanked him for making her the happiest and proudest woman by being her son.
She also commended him for being strong-willed and curious, asking that he may never change. Thad couldn’t stop crying as he read the note. He hugged his dad and girlfriend, hoping his mom was proud of the man he’d grown up to be.