My eight-year-old daughter, Ruth, was eagerly finishing her letter to Santa, convinced she deserved a special gift for being good all year. But when I read her note, my heart sank. She asked for heart-shaped earrings like the ones her dad gave to our nanny, Gloria. I was confused and upset. Why would Jerry give Gloria jewelry?
Christmas has always been about tradition in our family, and Ruth’s letters to Santa were a special part of it. She would always leave them in the fridge, believing that was how they reached the North Pole. So when I read Ruth’s letter this year, I was shocked by her request. Why would my husband give Gloria earrings? They had been working together for years, but their relationship seemed purely professional—at least that’s what I thought.
The next day, I ordered a nanny cam. I needed to know if there was something more going on between Jerry and Gloria. After installing the camera while they were at the park, I waited anxiously. Later, when I checked the footage, I saw something that made my heart race: Jerry wasn’t at work. He was in the living room, holding a small, blue-wrapped box. I immediately left my office and rushed home.
When I walked in, Jerry and Gloria both looked guilty. I asked Gloria to open the box, assuming it was for her, and she seemed confused. Jerry tried to explain, but I was already suspicious. “Dorothy, I can explain,” he said, but before he could finish, Gloria started crying. I was completely confused.
Jerry took my hand and quietly said, “Yes, I gave Gloria those earrings, but they weren’t from me.” My mind was racing. If they weren’t from him, then who gave them to her?
“That’s when I learned the truth. The earrings were a gift from Brian, Jerry’s best friend who passed away from cancer 14 years ago. Jerry had promised Brian that he would look after Gloria, his sister, after his death. Brian had left a box of gifts for her, planning them for special occasions in her life—birthdays, milestones, and moments when she needed to feel he was still with her. Jerry was simply keeping a promise,” Gloria explained through her tears.
I was stunned. All this time, Jerry had been honoring a promise he made years ago.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Jerry said. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
After hearing the story, I understood why Jerry had kept it a secret, but I was still hurt that he hadn’t shared it with me earlier. I was also relieved to know there was nothing inappropriate between him and Gloria.
I told Jerry that he needed to explain everything to Ruth, especially since she had asked Santa for the same earrings. He did, and Ruth loved the story. She understood that the earrings weren’t just a gift but a symbol of love and memory from Brian.
In the end, Ruth got the earrings she wanted from Santa, and I was grateful that the situation had been resolved. It reminded me of the importance of honesty and communication, and I made Jerry and Gloria promise there would be no more secrets in the future.
