Sadie and Lori had been friends since high school, with Lori almost becoming a second daughter to Sadie’s mother, who constantly asked, “Is Lori coming over for dinner tonight?” They finally married two good friends, Benjamin and Keith, whom they met in school. Sadie had initially felt Benjamin would be her partner, but Keith eventually won her heart, and Lori hooked up with Benjamin.
A joint vacation was planned to celebrate Keith’s birthday. “Sort out our stay, Sadie,” Lori directed, “while Ben and I handle the meals.” The excursion went well, with an evening packed with laughing and alcohol. At one point, Benjamin and Sadie were alone on the balcony. Inside, Lori and Keith were singing karaoke. Benjamin leaned forward, “Sadie, I have been planning a surprise for Lori.”
Curious, Sadie asked, “Ben, what are you planning?” “This is a secret! If I share, I’ll have to trust you to keep it safe. “I have struggled to keep bottles hidden from Lori…” “Which bottles?” Benjamin chuckled, his voice somewhat garbled from the drink. Lori and Benjamin normally avoided alcohol because to her father’s battle with alcoholism, which caused her to prohibit alcohol in the family.
“What are you both whispering about?” Lori suddenly emerged. Benjamin swiftly switched to a story about being locked in an elevator with Keith. “We just waited it out on the floor,” he explained. “I remember,” Lori said, “you told me right when you got back.” She then returned indoors. Later, in their chamber, Sadie confided in Keith. “What should I do?”
“Do you think Ben was serious?” Keith pondered. “He seemed quite tipsy.” “Isn’t that just him being candid?” Sadie considered. “Alcohol sometimes brings out the truth.” “Sadie, if this is bothering you, maybe you should talk to Lori. “You’d only blame yourself if something happened.” Sadie told Lori about Benjamin’s statements the next morning while out on a stroll.
“Really?” Lori questioned. “Are you sure he said ‘bottles’?” “Yes, but it’s only a thought.” I wanted to let you know just in case. I understand your anxieties, especially with your father.” “Ben’s been secretive,” Lori observed. “But surely, it’s not what you’re imagining!” After their journey, they visited a café before returning home. The following day, Lori texted Sadie, “You saved my life. I will call later.”
When Lori contacted, she said that she had left work early to investigate their home. “I just had to see what Ben was hiding.” She then noticed a gas smell in their home. “Imagine if I had just turned on the stove, Sadie?” Lori exclaimed. “We could have been in serious danger.” “Did you find anything?” Sadie inquired. “Yes,” Lori responded. “Hidden behind towels in our cupboard.”
“What were they?” “They’re bottles,” Lori explained. “Not liquor, though.” “Sadie,” Lori explained, “these are ancient perfume bottles. Not all; some are different types of antique bottles, each marked and evidently highly valuable. Sadie was perplexed, knowing Benjamin’s passion in antiques but ignorant of his intention to sell them for a profit. “Lori, every bottle sold brings us closer to realizing our dream.
When questioned, Benjamin confessed that he had planned a surprise vacation to Paris for their anniversary. “I bought these vintage bottles online, selling them for a profit.” “And the perfume bottles?” Lori asked. “They were meant to be your first gift,” Benjamin said, smiling. “Paris was to be the second.” “Perhaps it’s his way of expressing his love,” Keith later told Sadie. “Lori always did adore her classic films.”