She awakes to find that her husband is not in their bed.

She puts on her robe and goes downstairs to look for him. She peers around the door jamb, and there he is -- 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 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, of course 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 it?"

"Yes, I remember," says the wife, lowering herself into a chair beside him. The husband continues..."Do you remember when she shoved that shotgun in my face and said, 'Either you marry my daughter, or I send you to jail for 20 years?'"

"I remember that too." she replies softly, stroking his arm.

He wipes another tear from his cheek,... "I would have been freed today."

Have mercy!! ;-)