My Daughter Tugged on My Beach Dress and Whispered, ‘Mommy, Daddy Told Me Not to Tell You What He and Uncle Jim Did in Our Hotel Room’

Lily wrinkled her nose, trying to remember.

“A lady came to our room. She had dark hair. She was pretty.”

“Uncle Jim was talking loud. Daddy said, ‘Shhh, Lily’s here.’ And the lady looked at me funny.”

My throat felt narrow. I forced a smile.

“What else, honey?”

“Daddy hugged her, Mommy. And then he said it was a grown-up surprise for you, and not to spoil it.”

I steadied myself with a hand in the sand.

“A grown-up surprise,” I repeated softly.

“Uh-huh. What does that mean, Mommy?”