&quot;... and hang up the phone,&quot; she said, heading out to the mailbox. She'd been expecting it? Why would she ever need a gun? Unless ... &quot;Oh, God.&quot; His knees gave out, then met the floor. No sooner had she stepped out, she returned. Over his pulse, he'd heard her steps on the sidewalk, the way she'd opened the screen door and held it to close slowly behind her. He always let it slam. She hated that. &quot;Honestly, I should leave you down there. But I haven't the time.&quot; He was crying now, shaking, stem to stern. To confirm, he peered up through tearful eyes to know for sure and there it was, cradled in her arms. &quot;I'll do anything, be a better husband, just don't -- !&quot; &quot;This one isn't mine, you fool! Pull yourself together!&quot; He stood, bolt upright, as if his posture might save his life. &quot;Good,&quot; she smiled. She opened a closet, fetched a bag marked Avon and placed it inside. As she stepped out the front door, she said simply, &quot;This Hand Of Glory™ is for Ms. Monday in #314. She'll be so excited, won't she?&quot; 2008-05-15T16:04:40Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/30510 <p>Made a few judicious edits this afternoon based on some incredibly good advice.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/30510?basename=62513 2008-05-15T16:04:40Z grabbingsand http://ficlets.com/authors/grabbingsand <p>Good stuff. And a Hand of Glory reference, too! Dig it.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/30510?basename=62387 2008-05-15T01:16:32Z Will Hindmarch http://ficlets.com/authors/wordstudio