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WKMR Radio Headquarters, 1988.
"It's 10 in Tuscon! We all know what that means... It's Time for Midnight Snacks with your man, Gerald Gee! Ready to spend the night together? Me too! I'm full of snacks and can't wait to regurgitate them all back into your hungry ears. Crack a brew! Pop some corn! Anything to get ready for one hell of a show where the talk maybe cheap but the words cut deep...
"Now, about tonight’s show, I was having a tough time deciding what the topic should be. So, I flipped a coin. Guess what it landed on? Heads! Which means, drum roll please… we'll be talking about secrets tonight! You know, those stories you never tell anyone. Or maybe it's something someone told you and you're itching to tell someone else. Don't use their name, though. It won't be a secret anymore if you do that.
"Me first! What kind of host would I be if I didn't go first? Here goes... I never told anyone before, but sadly, I cheated on the S.A.T to get a better score. Sorry if you're listening, mom, but that was twenty-five years ago. I was such a dumbass back then. I paid fifty dollars for that cheat sheet and still didn't land on the genius level, haha. I passed, though.
"Okay, now that you all know that about me, let's take a caller who’s ready to spill something good. Go ahead caller, you're on the air with Gerald Gee!..."
"YOU SUCK!"
"Whoa whoa whoa! Right out the gates and probably the shortest call I've ever taken. But I'll tell you, Mr. Heckler. That's no secret! I do suck and it's the very reason they gave me the job. I'm a walking disaster but it works in my favor... Come on people! Let's get serious! I want to hear one of those good secrets that will drop my jaw! Go ahead, caller!"
"Hi, Gerald! Thanks for putting me through! My name is not Michelle, but that’s what you can call me."
"Hello, not Michelle. Whatcha got for us?"
"Well, I have so many secrets, I can't decide which one. Um... Okay. I know. When I was 13, I used to stop by my cousin's house after school sometimes to hang out with her. One time I get there and her father, my uncle, was furiously humping a teddy bear in the garage and his pants were around his ankles. He asked me to hold-"
"Whoa whoa whoa! Sorry to have to cut you off like that, Michelle but I think your secret is more for a therapist... or the police, haha. I don't like to sensor, but let's set some ground rules. Let's try and stay away from the X-rated kind of secrets and language that will get Midnight Snacks booted off the air... But Trust me, in a different setting, I'm all ears...Time for another caller. Go ahead, you're live with Gerald Gee!"
"Hi..."
"Hello, miss or Mrs. Do you have a first name you would like to share? Maybe a fake name like our last caller?"
"No. No name. But it's great to finally talk to you. I've been listening to you ramble for months. You make me laugh. I love your off-beat sense of humor.”
"Why, thank you. I'll take that!"
"Sorry about my voice. I swear I don't sound like this normally. I've been under the weather lately. Seriously, though, I've tried calling in dozens of times before but can never get through.”
“Yep! Sorry. Unfortunately, the process is totally random. Now, let’s hear that secret! Make it good!”
“I do have a secret... Several. I’m kinda nervous about it. Nervous that I'm even talking to you."
"You don't have to be nervous, no name. This is all in good fun. We don't know you or even know where you're calling from. That's the beauty of it. It's all about dropping our jaws right now. Spill it!"
"You're right... I haven't been trying to call in all this time just to back down from an opportunity. Uh... If you don't mind, I'll start with a question. Does the name Jenna Pullman ring a bell?... Hello?"
"Damn! Not sure what happened to our connection, caller, but please try calling again. Back in 30 after this important message from McDonalds...
"Hey! You still there? Sorry, I had to switch you to a private line. Wasn't sure where this was going. Who are you?"
"My name is Christie."
"Hi, Christie. How do you know Jenna?"
"Let's just say, I was having a great time getting to know her... I guess this means you remember her."
"Yes, of course! We went to High school together and were friends until we went our separate ways for college. How is she?"
"…Jenna died almost a year ago from Pneumonia. It was a complete shock... everyone's coping the best they can."
"Oh my God... I'm so sorry... I'm not sure why we never stayed in touch. We were a pretty tight clique, the five of us."
"She said some nice things about you not long after I met her... I'm sorry for asking, but did you two date each other? She never said."
"No. It was never like that. We almost had a moment a couple of times, but it's like she was more of a buddy, and I didn't want to ruin that."
"Well, she did love you... back then. She said she was afraid to tell you and knew you didn't feel the same, so she never told you."
"Really?... I don't know what to say to that. We had great times together... Just a sec, I need to setup something to run on the air until we're done here.”
“Sure, I'll wait.”
“…Alright. Sorry. Took a little longer than expected. I'll apologize to the listeners later. Everyone knows that technical difficulties can happen... So, what did Jenna do in her life? I heard she got married quite a while ago. I don't mean to bring up bad feelings or anything. I'm just curious."
"It's okay. I don't mind talking about her... Yes, she got married in '75, had a couple kids along the way and owned a bakery. Her husband is going to sell it, though. She loved that place. It was her baby. Jenna was a remarkable woman and in the 2 years I've known her, we got pretty close. But some things she didn't want to talk about. I never pressed the situation because I knew she was having a hard time back then."
"Damn. I can’t believe she’s gone. I appreciate you calling, Christie. Reminded me of some great times... Is this why you've been trying to call in all this time? To tell me of her passing? Or do you also have a secret you want to share on the air tonight? I could switch us back to the live line."
"I do want to tell you that a couple people would like to meet you."
"Uh... Okay. Like who?"
"Well, me of course. I'm a huge fan. And... your grandson."
"MY WHAT?"
"Before you guys left for college, you got Jenna pregnant. She didn't tell you because she didn't feel there was a point to ruining both of your lives. You were both so young. She told a lie to her parents about who the father was and gave me up for adoption... My adopted parents told me when I was 18 and told me what they knew about my mother. I started looking for Jenna four years later and found her. I had to... I wanted to. And now, I found you. You're my father, Gerald... you still there?”
"I'm here... My god! I'm someone's grandfather? And father? You probably didn't know, but... I've been divorced a couple times. No kids. Until now... I’m so sorry, Christie. I didn't know. I mean, I would have-"
"Shh shh shh...You didn't know. How could you have known? Before she passed, Jenna made me promise not to look for you, just yet. She wanted time to tell you herself."
"Unreal... My mind is completely blown. Look... I have to get back on the air. I don’t want to hear the director’s mouth if he tunes in and I'm playing reruns. But oh my God, this is so crazy. I mean, I'm happy! I'm truly happy! I can't wait to meet you both in person. What's my grandson's name?"
"Daniel. He's 3."
"Daniel?... Love it! Hey! You should call back after the show? It goes until 2am. We can make plans to meet."
"I think I could do that. I'm wide awake and love listening to your show. Hope you get some good secrets tonight."
“Well, I can tell you one thing, nothing will ever top this one. I can't believe I have a daughter and a grandson. I'm smiling ear to ear if you can't tell.”
"Haha. Talk to you in a few hours, Gerald Gee! Dad."
About the Creator
Lamar Wiggins
Creative writer in the Northeast US who loves the paranormal, mystery, true crime, horror, humor, fantasy and poetry.
"Life is Love Experienced" -LW
LDubs
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Comments (4)
Well, that sure is a shocking, jaw-dropping secret alright hahaha. They way you kept building the suspense up until the big reveal was so brilliant and the twist was so unexpected! I'm glad Gerald reacted positively to it. Can't wait for him to meet Christie and Daniel. Loved your story!
This is so awesome on so many different levels. Love everything about it.
Gobsmacked, Lamar! This is insane good! The pacing, the on air persona, the banter … and then the reveal and down to earth reality. Simply amazing. Great entry to the challenge! It has winner written all over it! Good luck!
Aww that was such a heart warming story. 🥹 It could have gone in such a sucky direction. Most peo0le.woukdnt be able to handle all of that news lightly. Great story. But also, RIP to that poor stuffed bears dignity 🥴🥴🥴