Desperate Home Front

Captain Mark Harrison’s cab cruised down the street toward his modest brick ranch. He couldn’t wait to surprise his wife. He remembered the last time they had spoken six months ago.

*****

“Please, Mark.” Marina had begged, tears streaming down her cheeks. “You might be killed.”

Mark gritted his teeth. “Marina, this is getting old. I’m a soldier, and you knew that when you married me.” He zipped his pack closed and hoisted it over his shoulder. Marina reached out, but he shrugged her off.

He was half-way to the car, when she dropped her bombshell.

“Mark, I’m pregnant.”

Mark’s world tilted and everything changed. Oh, he had still left—he had had no choice—but it was with the promise that it was the last time.

*****

As the cab pulled up to the curb, Mark gaped at the melee. Several cars blocked his driveway, and a news crew camped on his front lawn. Surely this wasn’t for him?

Before Mark could reach the front door, a reporter jammed a microphone in his face.

“Captain Harrison, do you have any comment?”

“Excuse me?” Mark shook his head. “Comment about what?”

The front door opened, and Marina stepped through, head down, hands cuffed behind her back. A detective maintained a vice grip on her arm.

“Marina?” Before Mark could reach her, two more detectives exited the house. One carried his infant daughter—the daughter he had never held. The second detective intercepted him.

“Is my baby all right? Why is my wife in handcuffs?”

“Thankfully, the baby is fine sir, but your wife has been arrested.”

“Arrested? For what? Is this your idea of a joke?”

The detective grimaced. “No, sir. I’m sorry but Mrs. Harrison has been charged with one count of kidnapping. Apparently, she was never pregnant.”



Submitted for

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the Twisted Raccoon

Must include "Is this your idea of a joke?"

298/300 Word count