“The Secret in the Safe: What I Saw on the Tape Changed Everything”

I Was Curious Why My Parents Kept an Old Videotape in the Safe until I Saw What Was on It — Story of the Day

Lucy finds a mysterious message in a list while assisting her estranged mother with packing: “Do not show Lucy.” Her interest is piqued, and she finds a dusty videotape in a safe. Why didn’t her parents want her to know what secrets they might be hiding from her?

I can still clearly recall that day, the tension in the car being so high that a knife might pierce it.

I glared out the window as Dad drove, his fists clenched on the steering wheel.

The sound of the tires on the road just made the silence between our discussions louder, not any more peaceful.

“Why must I complete this task on my day off?” I crossed my arms and snapped. “Why didn’t you ask a friend or take a cab?”

Dad gave me a stern look and spoke sharply.

“Good luck! How are you able to say that? Your mum needs assistance! Isn’t asking you to assist her with packing her belongings excessive?

I sighed, feeling the old annoyance rising.

“Dad, you understand exactly how I feel about her.”

“I understand!” he interrupted, raising his voice.

It’s been more than ten years since you last spoke. Like her, you’ve always been obstinate.
“Stubborn?” My voice trembled with rage as I spoke. “Dad, she destroyed my life!”

“Avoid exaggeration. He retorted, “She just wanted you to have a good education.”

“I only ever studied and carried out her instructions! It was never enough, but all I wanted was for her to be proud of me.

He softened his tone and stated, “She did it because she loves you.”

I looked away and watched the houses go by.

It’s funny how the minute I stopped talking to her, my life began to feel better.

Dad let out a sigh. “Lucy.”

“That’s it,” I interrupted him.

“I want to stop talking about this. Let’s just finish this up.

I was unable to control my inner tempest when we arrived at my parents’ place.

With every stride I took, my emotions poured out as I slammed the car door and strode towards the house.

The scent of ancient wood and dust filled my nostrils as I entered the house.

As I remembered, the living room appeared familiar yet far away, like a faded image. Todd trailed behind, his steps more strident than mine.

“So, what precisely must we take?” I asked, attempting to hide my annoyance.

Todd plucked a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. Holding it closer to his face, he looked at the small print.

I moaned and took it softly as I watched him struggle.

“Allow me to assist you.”

With a bashful smile, he handed it back and added, “Thanks, sweetheart.”

I read the list out loud after unfolding it:

“Values from the safe, books, photo albums, a lamp, and a few dishes.”

Easy enough. After giving a nod, Todd went to the kitchen, and I went upstairs to the bedroom.

The air was nearly thick with memories, and the room seemed heavy with them. I picked up a suitcase and started packing, making sure to cross everything off as I went.

Here was a book, there was a photo album—it was deliberate, almost unthinking. However, something stopped me cold when I got to the conclusion of the list.

There was a remark at the bottom in smaller handwriting:

“Don’t show Lucy.”

My heart pounded. What had to be kept hidden from me since it was so secret? My thoughts raced with potentialities as my interest grew.

“Good luck! I’ve left this place. Do you need assistance? From the kitchen came the voice of Todd.

“No, Dad, I’m nearly done!” I shouted back, raising my voice above normal.

When I entered the code on the list, my hands shook. I opened the safe and looked inside.

As anticipated, the jewellery box was present. However, I noticed another item at the rear—a tiny, dusty parcel.

With shaky fingers, I gingerly opened it. A videotape with an old, black casing was inside.

My head was inundated with questions. Why was this present? Why was it necessary to conceal it?

I put the tape in my coat pocket, disregarding the warning in the note. I had to know what this was.

“Finished?” When I came back, Todd asked.

“All right, let’s go. I’m pressed for time,” I snapped back, making my way to the door with the tape weighing heavily on my mind.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter until my knuckles turned white as we drew into the parking lot of the nursing home.

Ahead, the sterile, inhospitable edifice loomed.

The bitterness I had harboured for so long made my chest feel heavy. My stomach churned at the thought of seeing and confronting my mother.

Todd gave me a quick look that was a mixture of worry and annoyance. With a polite yet inquisitive tone, he asked, “Are you coming in with me?”

I hurriedly shook my head to avoid looking at him. “No. You leave. I cut my voice and said, “I packed everything from the list.”

His voice grew softer, almost begging, as he replied, “But Lucy… she’s your mum.”

I eventually turned to face him and yelled, “Please, let’s not start this again.” “I don’t want to speak with her or see her. Forever.

Todd let out a deep sigh, clearly disappointed. After a brief pause, as though he was trying to find the appropriate words to persuade me, he gave up.

“All right,” he responded in a defeated tone, “just know that she loves you very much.” He went to the building after grabbing the baggage from the backseat.

A knot of shame formed in my chest as I watched him leave. However, I suppressed it, convincing myself that I was justified.

The silence in the car was oppressive as I pulled out of the lot and headed home after Todd vanished inside.

I couldn’t get rid of the uneasy sensation when I got home. I kept thinking about the tape that was in my coat pocket.

I rummaged around the closet and pushed away old boxes until I came across the dust-covered old VCR.

Squinting at an online tutorial to figure out how to connect the antiquated equipment, I cleaned it up and set it up with the ancient TV.
As I put the tape in and hit play, I whispered to myself, “Let’s hope this still works.”

Grainy footage filled the screen as it fluctuated. I could see the figures, but the image was warped by horizontal lines.

My parents were there—young, cheerful, and full of life in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time. With the camera in her hand, my mother’s laughter could be heard over the static.

My dad was playing with a young girl while he was crouching with his arms extended.

I squinted at the screen as I leaned closer. The young girl had the same brilliant grin and black hair as me. But something didn’t feel right.

Then I heard it.

“Chloe! Chloe, come on in! What a smart girl you are! The warm, loving voice of my mother beckoned out.

My heart thumping in my chest, I froze. Chloe? Chloe was who? Only one child was born to my parents. Me. They had also always referred to me as Lucy.

The video kept playing, but I was distracted. My thoughts were racing as I attempted to make sense of what I had just witnessed.

Was there anything about my family that I was unaware of? Something they’d been keeping from me for years?

With shaking hands, I switched off the television. I required clarification. Additionally, I could only get them from one person.

I reached for my keys, bracing myself for the task at hand. I needed to see my mother.

I clutched the steering wheel, my mind racing with questions, determined to find answers.

Streetlights and recollections blurred together on the trip to the nursing home.

As I parked and walked inside, my hands shook, and the chilly lobby air only made me feel more anxious.

A smiling woman at the reception desk looked up from her computer. “Hello, may I assist you?” she said courteously.

I tried to steady my voice by clearing my throat. “My mum is present. I said, “I need to talk to her.”

She gave a small bend to her head. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you here. What is her name?

“Emma. I said, “Her name is Emma.”

She recognised it, and her eyes grew wide. “Are you… Lucy?”

I paused at the surprise in her voice. Indeed. How are you aware of this? Confused, I asked.

Her grin grew softer. “Your mother frequently discusses you. She frequently asks for you. It’s a pleasure to meet you at last.

As I answered, “Yeah, well, we have… a complicated relationship,” a twinge of shame increased in my chest.

The attendant greeted me cheerfully and escorted me down the hall to her room, saying, “She’ll be thrilled to see you.”

The room was calm, almost too quiet, when I walked in. Emma and Todd were quietly conversing while seated near the window.

Their faces froze in disbelief as they both looked towards the door.

“Hello, Mom. “Hello, Dad,” I answered, trying to sound more steady than I actually was.

“Good luck! Oh, how I have missed you, my darling! Mom yelled, her eyes watering and her voice faltering. She reached for an embrace, opening her arms.
I paused and chose to keep my distance by waving instead.

I said in a serious tone, “Mom, I need to talk to you.”

Todd understood right away. He got up and brushed his trousers of the unseen dust.

He whispered softly, “I’ll leave you two alone,” and slid out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

I reached inside my purse, took out the tape, and held it up. I said, closely observing her face, “I found this in your safe.”

“Avoid showing Lucy.” Would you mind explaining?

She paled, and her eyes grew wide. As she attempted to speak, her lips trembled. She finally started crying uncontrollably.

“Lucy… I’m so sorry. We didn’t intend for you to learn this way.

“Discover what?” With my heart racing, I pressed.

Her voice broke as she firmly clutched her hands together.

“Chloe… Our first daughter was named Chloe. To us, she was everything. However, while she was only a little girl, she lost her life in a vehicle accident. As she spoke, her voice broke.

I was surprised and froze. “I don’t comprehend. So who am I?

Mom started crying as she went on.

Lucy, you were adopted by us. When we brought you home, you were a baby. We made a self-promise to never tell you how much we loved you. In every aspect that counts, you were and always will be our daughter.