Henry lay pale and weak, the ticking clock marking his final hours. With trembling lips, he whispered, “Martha, before I go, I need to know—have you ever been unfaithful to me?”
Martha hesitated, twisting her wedding ring. “Yes, Henry. Three times. But always for a good reason.”
Henry’s eyes widened, then softened. “Tell me.”
“The first was when we almost lost our home. I spoke to the banker—and the next day, the mortgage was extended.”
Henry sighed. “You saved us. I can forgive that. And the second?”
“When you were dying and needed that expensive heart surgery. The doctor performed it for free—after I visited him one night.”
Henry nodded slowly. “You saved my life. And the third?”
Martha smiled sweetly. “Remember when you ran for president of your golf club and needed seventy-three more votes?”
Henry blinked, confusion replacing peace. “Yes…”
Martha patted his hand. “Well, darling, I did a lot of convincing that week.”
Henry groaned. “Seventy-three, Martha?”
She grinned. “Every single one counted.”
