The One that got away.

"If only today were a Federal Holiday then I wouldn't have to be out delivery bills and trash mail to these people" thought Dan as he drove down the ice packed freezing roads of Maine. He thought about how the people of this little town, will not even step outside this snowy, below zero day. Would they miss the mail if he went home? He could just turn down the road to his warm house, sit by the fire for a little while, as he thaws out. maybe he'd even read a book.

He was putting mail in the boxes just down the street from his house. Oh the temptation was killing him, as his wool gloved hands put the last of the mail in the boxes. No one would know if he took a break. He looked down at his watch. It read ten fifty. Justifiable lunch time? Yeah he thought so. Closing the last box, he took off with a grin.

Down the road he drove, slipping a little. Pulling into the driveway he noticed the smoke coming from his red brick chimney. Oh the thought of just sitting by the fire, warmed him from head to toe. He put the red truck into park, stepped out getting a firm grounding, then shut the door as fast and quiet as possible.

Crunching across the snow and ice, he headed quickly towards the front door. His family typically used the back kitchen door, so he thought he might be able to sneak passed his children and wife, allowing him a nice little break and a quiet little moment by the fire.

As soon as he opened the door, as if the flood gates had been lifted his children came scrambling from the family room to the front entry way and wrapped their arms around his legs, while screaming "daddy daddy, daddy is home." Maybe his little break wouldn't be a break after all.