A woman awakes during the night to find that her
husband was not in their bed. She puts on her robe
and goes downstairs to look for him.
She finds him sitting at the dining room table with
a cup of coffee in front of him. He appears deep in
thought, just staring at the wall. She watches as he
wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of coffee.
"What's the matter, dear?" she whispers as she steps
into the room. "Why are you down here at this time
of night?"
The husband looks up, "Do you remember 40 years ago
when we were dating, and you were only 18?" he asks
solemnly. The wife is touched to tears thinking that
her husband is so caring and sensitive.
"Yes, I do," she replies.
The husband pauses. The words are not coming easily.
"Do you remember when your mother caught us behind
the couch making love?"
"Yes, I remember." says the wife, lowering herself
into a chair beside him.
The husband continues..."Do you remember when she
shoved a shotgun in my face and said, 'Either you
marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for
40 years?'"
"I remember that, too." she replies softly.
He wipes another tear from his cheek and says
"I would have gotten out today."
