Adam, Tina’s husband, suggested a trip to a specific location in South Dakota. She had no idea why until one night when he sneaked out. She followed him for 20 minutes until they entered a terrifying cave, where she saw something completely unexpected. “To be honest, I’m not sure why you chose South Dakota. We could travel to New York. A Broadway show or even a trip to Disney World would be preferable. But what about South Dakota? “Is there anything?” Tina moaned as her husband, Adam, drove them to a wonderful location…

“South Dakota is fantastic, babe. My parents used to take me there all the time when I was a kid. There are hotels near a forest, guided cave tours, and a plethora of other activities,” Adam said, smiling but keeping his eyes on the road. “So? What’s the big deal about caves? “Wait, we’re not going to stay in one?” She became terrified. “No, no. I know you’d be offended. But we’ll see Mount Rushmore and other amazing sights. It’ll be fantastic.

“You’ll see,” he said, more cheerful than she had ever seen him. She sighed and resolved to make the most of her vacation. Their Mount Rushmore tour was enjoyable. She had a lot more fun than she expected and found some great souvenirs for her parents at a gift shop. She dashed out of there, unconcerned about anything, and into her car. “See? You enjoyed it. “I knew you’d do it,” Adam said as they relaxed at their hotel.

“You’re correct. It was fantastic. The view from this hotel is also spectacular. Did you spend your childhood here with your parents?” Tina pondered as she gazed out the window. “No. This hotel is more recent. It used to be a parking lot for camper vans, but my parents and I never stayed there. We simply drove through and explored the woods. It was entertaining. “I like caves,” Adam said as he unpacked a nice shirt. “OK, hon. Tina said, “I’m going to clean up,” and went into the bathroom.

She was tucked in bed and almost asleep a few hours later. She must have dozed off for a few moments, but some jostling jolted her awake. She opened one eye to see her husband dressed up at the foot of the bed. Tina felt a cold chill run down her spine as he was unusually quiet. When he turned to face her, she pretended to be asleep. She jumped out of bed when she heard their hotel room door open and close.

What is his destination? “What exactly is going on?” hysterical thoughts ran through her head, she asked herself. She had no choice but to follow him. Tina looked around and grabbed a t-shirt, sweater, and sweatpants to keep warm outside. Fortunately, they were on the ground floor, so she could see him leave the hotel front door and walk back towards the woods. Is he crazy?

Tina walked behind him, trying not to draw attention to herself. But he persisted. He was intent on getting somewhere, and Tina needed to know where, even though her heart told her that ignorance was preferable. No, knowing the truth is preferable. It’s always better, she shook her head and continued down the path. After nearly 20 minutes of walking, they came to a cave, which Tina would never have known existed if Adam hadn’t walked right into it.

She came to a halt and braced herself outside. This was the most terrifying moment of her life. Who walks into a cave at random? What is he up to? She crept in slowly, trying not to draw attention to herself, and proceeded until voices echoed within the walls. “I can’t believe you’re here!” exclaimed a female voice. Who in the world is that? “Oh, Adam,” the voice exhaled, and their conversation came to an end.

Tina’s heart broke as the unmistakable sounds of kissing and passion echoed throughout the area. But, for some reason, she didn’t believe it. Even in this dark, ugly cave, she had to see it with her own eyes. There was a bright spot. One of them had dropped their phone, illuminating the area, or it could have been done on purpose. But the scene in front of her was unmistakable. They were kissing, and things were becoming even more heated.

Tina couldn’t stand it any longer. She bolted and nearly ran back to the hotel. Fortunately, she didn’t get lost because the hotel’s lights were easy to find, regardless of how far they had walked to the caves. She returned to her room, grabbing her bag and everything she could find, including the car keys. She dashed out of there, unconcerned about anything, and into her car. She didn’t care that it was Adam’s car. He was having an affair with a woman in a South Dakota cave! Oh, screw him!

So she drove, but soon realized she didn’t know the area well, so she stopped at another hotel, got a room, and tried to sleep. Tina’s day had been exhausting, so she was tired enough to turn off her aching heart and racing mind. She checked out the next morning and went to a local diner for breakfast. She took a seat at the counter. “What do you want to drink?” inquired a waitress.

“What have you got?” Tina inquired. “I’m not sure if it’s worse or better… but it’s practically the same,” Tina stated, her lips pursed. “As expected. Soda, orange juice, and coffee. “I’m not sure,” the woman replied, perplexed . “Is there something more powerful?” “It’s 9 a.m.,” the woman frowned. “All right, then, some coffee. But please make it really dark,” Tina asked, rubbing her brow.

“Bad night?” said a male voice next to her, and Tina turned to face a friendly, round face that smiled slightly at her. She didn’t usually talk to strangers, even if they seemed friendly. But he was correct. Her worst night had been last night. “You could say that,” she said flatly. “I’m sure it wasn’t any worse than mine,” he added. Her brow furrowed. “Are you sure? “How much are you willing to wager?”

“Wow, are you that sure of yourself? “Give me a second to think,” the man said. “Whoever has the most ridiculous story wins breakfast.” “Deal,” Tina said as she sipped her scalding, bitter coffee from the waitress. “I’ll begin then,” the man said. “My name is Jerry, by the way. My girlfriend and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary last night. We had the best time of our lives. It was everything it could have been. But she woke me up at 4 a.m. this morning, saying she’s going to see ‘the boy in the cave.'”

Tina nearly spit out her coffee. “What?” “That’s exactly what I said. But she said she waited for the boy in the cave for 15 years before packing,” Jerry continued, his eyes reflecting his feelings about that memory. “She said it was now or never, and she couldn’t afford to lose him again. They were leaving together now. “I assumed she was having a nervous breakdown.”

“Oh my god,” Tina exclaimed. “What happened after that?” “I followed her, and another man was waiting for her in the lobby. I could tell something had happened because his nice shirt was almost wrinkled. “I just stood there, watching as they walked away,” Jerry said, his mouth open as if reliving the scene. “Wow,” Tina exclaimed. Jerry smiled at Tina as he shook his head, dispelling his memory. “Is your story any worse? “Did I win the wager?” “Oh my god,” Tina exclaimed. “What happened after that?”

“I followed her, and another man was waiting for her in the lobby. I could tell something had happened because his nice shirt was almost wrinkled. “I just stood there, watching as they walked away,” Jerry said, his mouth open as if reliving the scene. “Wow,” Tina exclaimed. Jerry smiled at Tina as he shook his head, dispelling his memory. “Is your story any worse? “Did I win the wager?” “I’m not sure if it’s worse or better… “But it’s almost the same,” Tina said, pursed lips, and Jerry frowned.

They were both laughing at the absurdity a few minutes later. They split the bill for breakfast and parted ways, but not before exchanging phone numbers. Tina returned home, filed for divorce, and waited for the process to be completed. She hadn’t heard much about the passionate cave lovers, and she didn’t really care. Because he lived five hours away, Jerry became a texting friend. Tina, on the other hand, applied for a job in his city and relocated nearby. They began dating a few months later and promised they would never, ever, ever… vacation near caves.