On Our First Family Vacation, My Husband Refused to Let Me Go into One Locked Bedroom — His MIL Later Handed Me the Key

"What are you looking at?"

I turned.

Elaine stood several feet behind me.

She smiled kindly.

"The room?"

"I'm sorry. I was just..."

She nodded. "I know."

For a long moment she simply looked at the door.

Then she reached into the pocket of her cardigan.

When she pulled her hand back out, an old brass key rested in her palm.

"What's that?"

Instead of answering, she asked, "He never told you?"

"Told me what?"

She looked back at the door.

Then quietly placed the key in my hand.