His socks wouldn't come off, and he walked naked into the dark family room where his wife, Paula, read a book.
She looked up. "Jerry, the kids could be in here."
"My socks won't come off."
Paula grinned. "Are you awake?"
"Yes. Something is wrong."
"It sure is," she said, placing the book and her reading glasses on the end table. "Are you feeling frisky?"
Jerry looked down, seeing nothing to block the view of his black calf high socks. "No. My socks are stuck to my legs."
Paula smiled as she lit a cigarette.
"It's not funny."
"I wish I had the camera," she said.
"I wanted to take a shower, but I can't with socks on."
"If you want to sleep in your socks, it's okay by me."
Jerry tugged his hair with both hands and flopped on the couch. His mouth formed a circle, briefly, then he was up and hopping, grabbing at his rear. "I sat on something."
Paula saw the hint of silver. "It's a sewing needle."
"Get it out."
She did pull it out, but couldn't stop laughing at him naked in his black socks, dancing with a needle in his butt. When she removed it, he stormed into the bedroom, cursing her and the kids, even though he knew the kids didn't sew.
Later, when she entered the bedroom, he was at the edge of the bed staring at his feet. She knew then that his socks really wouldn't come off.
"We better go see the doctor," Paula said.
)
