WIFE

When my wife texted love you and said of love you more I drove 90 miles an hour to get home. Every single day for 12 years. I have texted my wife I love you at some point during the day. Every single day for 12 years. She has responded I love you more. It started as a silly thing when we were dating, but somewhere along the way it became sacred. She has never once forgot. Not when she had a 104 degree fever and could barely lift her phone. Not when we had that awful fight and slept in separate rooms for three days. Even then, when my text came through, she responded the same way she always did. So when I texted her and she just wrote back love you, I knew something was terribly wrong. I called her immediately. She answered on the first ring, which was already strange because she's usually busy with her. Hey babe, what's up? Her voice sounded cheerful, but off. I just wanted to hear your voice. Is everything going okay today? Oh yeah, everything's great. I've just been hanging out with the baby. Actually, my friend from the gym stopped by to visit, so I should probably let you go. We don't have a gym membership. Someone was in our house who should not be there. I was already grabbing my keys when I told her I loved her and hung up. My office was 40 minutes from home on a good day, but I made it onto the highway doing 90 before I could even process what was happening. I called 911 and tried to explain. "Sir, slow down," the dispatcher said. "Your wife texted you the wrong thing and mentioned it to a gym. She is telling me someone dangerous is in my house with her and my infant daughter. Is it possible she's visiting? A friend visiting that you don't know about? Man, I have been married to this woman for 12 years. I know her and I'm telling you that someone is holding my family hostage right now. We're sending units." I hung up and called my wife back, straight to voicemail. I called again, voicemail. The neighbor across the street, a retired firefighter named Walt, who I'd trust with my life. Walt, I need you to look at my house right now and tell me exactly what you see. I heard him shuffle to his window. "There's a van in your driveway I don't recognize. White van, no windows in the back. Your wife's car is in the garage. Can you see inside the house at all? No. All the blinds are shut. I've never seen her close those blinds during the day. She was sending another signal." Walt, the police are on the way. Before you start screaming, before they get there, I need you to get inside. I didn't hesitate. I'll be on the porch with my phone in one hand and a baseball bat in the other.