During what I thought was just another ordinary hospital visit, my husband’s nurse quietly pulled me aside and said, “Please, when you go back to his room, check under his bed.” I had no idea what awaited me there, and the discovery I made compelled me to reach for my phone and dial 911.
As I write this, I’m still in shock. Part of me finds the situation absurd, yet another part can’t stop replaying the tension of that night.
My husband, Ethan, has been in the hospital for over a week following surgery to repair an old hip injury. While he’s gradually recovering, the process has been incredibly challenging. Balancing work, caring for the kids, and ensuring his comfort has turned my days into a whirlwind.
That morning, my son Tommy asked, “Mom, when is Dad coming home?” as he stirred his cereal.
“Soon, sweetie,” I replied, trying to hide my fatigue. “He needs to get stronger first.”
“But I miss him,” added my daughter Sarah, her lip quivering. “It’s not the same without him.”
“I know, baby. I miss him too,” I said, pulling them into a tight hug and drawing strength from their warmth.
Typically, I visit Ethan in the mornings or afternoons while the kids are at school. However, last Friday, my dad kindly offered to watch them for the night—an offer that felt like a lifeline, as I couldn’t recall my last full night’s sleep. I decided to surprise Ethan with an evening visit, hoping to brighten his day.
When I entered his room, he looked up from his phone and froze.
“Hey,” I said with a smile as I set my bag down. “You weren’t expecting me, were you?”
He blinked and laughed nervously. “No—I mean, didn’t you come earlier today?”
“I did, but I had some extra time, so here I am. I miss you.”
“Sam…” he whispered, reaching for my hand but hesitating. “You shouldn’t… I mean, you must be exhausted. The kids—”
“The kids are with Dad,” I interrupted, noticing something odd in his expression. “They miss you a lot. Sarah even cried this morning.”
His face fell. “God, I hate this. Being stuck here while you handle everything…”
I tried to lighten the mood. “Isn’t that what marriage is about? In sickness and in health?”
He smiled weakly, but his eyes seemed distracted, as though he carried a secret.
“You alright? You seem off tonight,” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied quickly, fiddling with his blanket. “How are the kids?”
We chatted briefly while I peeled an apple for him—his favorite snack—but his short answers and the constant glances at the door unsettled me.
“Remember when we first started dating? You used to bring me apples every day because you believed an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” I recalled, hoping to ease the silence.
He forced a laugh, but it sounded strained.
“Please, Ethan, talk to me. Are you in pain? Should I call a nurse?” I urged, reaching for his hand again.
“No!” he blurted out, then softened. “I’m really fine—just… tired.”
I tried not to overthink it—surgery takes a toll, after all.
On my way to throw away the apple peelings outside the ward, I bumped into Carla, one of Ethan’s friendly nurses, who usually put me at ease. Today, however, she appeared anxious.
She stopped me in the hall, glancing nervously down the corridor. “Can we talk for a moment?”
“Of course, what’s up?” I replied.
Her hands trembled as she fidgeted with her ID badge. “I really shouldn’t, but… we’re not supposed to get involved with patients’ personal matters, yet…”
“Carla,” I said, gently gripping her arm as my heart raced, “you’re scaring me. Is something wrong with Ethan? Did the tests show something?”
She quickly shook her head. “No, it’s not medical. It’s…” She hesitated, lowering her voice further, “Please, when you go back to his room, look under his bed.”
I frowned. “Under his bed? Why?”
“Just trust me,” she pleaded. “You’ll understand when you see it.”
“Carla, please, if something’s wrong, just tell me. I can handle it.”
“I can’t say more,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder. “But you need to know. Just… look.”
Then she turned and walked away, leaving a pit of dread in my stomach.
Unsure of what to make of her words—was Ethan hiding something?—I called after her, “Wait!” but she was already gone.