A Husband’s Concern: His Wife’s Reaction

When he got the phone call his heart dropped

Photo by Danijel Škabić on Unsplash

Willie was a young man on the move. After graduating from college with a degree in education he scored a job in the Philadelphia School System. He started teaching in an inner-city middle school. Although rewarding in many aspects, Willie soon discovered it wouldn’t come near to fulfilling his dream of becoming rich.

Acting upon advice provided by a friend who plumbed the mysteries of crypto trading, Willie felt, although risky, it could deliver the wealth he thought he deserved. He became a full-time crypto trader.

I met Willie about eight or nine years ago. I pegged him as a man on the rise. He had recently married his college sweetheart and joined the church where I belonged in suburban Philadelphia.

Perhaps it was because Willie was much younger that I became his mentor in relational matters. I had the privilege of going out to dinner with Willie and his charming wife (Sandy) a number of times. They seemed an ideal couple. She was his full partner in their crypto trading enterprise. We had multiple cups of coffee together at fellowship after church on Sundays.

I was the first person (other than relatives, I imagine) with whom they shared the news when they purchased their first house.

I rented an office to Willie in Center City Philadelphia and over a number of lunch conversations, I felt closer to Willie than I did to most folks.

He confided in me when he found out Sandy was pregnant and he was going to become a father.

The truck

Sometimes the cynical side of me takes over.

This unhealthy trait crept into my consciousness when, over burgers, fries and the ubiquitous Diet Cokes, Willie told me he was buying a half-ton Ford pick-up.

“Sandy can drive the KIA,” he said, the self-anointed boss of his growing family, “ It’s smaller than my new truck and she knows how to handle the old KIA.”

“And she IS pregnant you know Brian!” Willie said with a smile.

The accident

Willie didn’t come into the office on a Thursday in November.

How unlike him, I thought.

Ahhh….Probably nothing important!

An unraveled Willie came to work that Friday. He confided in me Sandy had an accident in his new truck on Wednesday. He took off on Thursday to try to, ‘put things in order’. He appeared to be very anxious about his pregnant wife’s accident.

“That’s awful Willie, tell me all about it, is Sandy okay, how can I help?” concerned, I wanted to hear everything at once.

“The KIA was in the shop for state inspection and Sandy just HAD to go out for milk, eggs and toilet paper.” Willie said sarcastically.

“Remember it was raining on Wednesday?” Willie started to tell me particulars of the actual accident.

“Well, the roads were slick with the fallen leaves and Sandy jammed on the brakes when a squirrel ran across Bryn Mawr Drive. She hydroplaned and skidded off the street into a big oak tree.” he reported.

“I asked her how much hitting the tree damaged the truck?” Willie declared.

Silence….

“What did she say, Willie?” I asked.

More silence…

Finally….

“The baby and I are fine, thank you for asking!” Willie quoted.