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 20 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 20
years?'" "I remember that, too." she replies softly. He wipes another
tear from his cheek and says.. "I would have gotten out today."