THORNTON MELON

A woman awoke during the night to find that her husband was not in bed.
She put on her robe and went downstairs. He was sitting at the kitchen
table with a cup of coffee in front of him. He appeared to be deep in
thought, just staring at the wall. She saw him wipe a tear from his eye
and take a sip of his coffee.

"What's the matter dear? Why are you down here at this time of night?"
she asked.

"Do you remember 20 years ago when we were dating and you were only
16?" he asked.

"Yes I do." she replied.

"Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?"

"Yes I remember."

"Do you remember your father when he shoved that shotgun in my face and
said.'Either you marry my daughter or spend twenty years in jail'?"

"Yes I do", she replied.

He wiped another tear from his cheek and said, " You know I would have
gotten out today."