Up in smoke - A short story

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It was pitch dark when John Walker walked into his house at two o clock in the morning.  He was as drunk as a skunk and he nearly tripped over the toys in the living room. There was only one faint light on in the living room and he was already not steady on his feet. He tried to navigate his way to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Emily usually left his food in the oven when he came in late. 

They must all be asleep because he couldn't hear a sound in the house. Something smelled funny in the kitchen and he couldn't put his finger on it, but wasn't really bothered. He made it to the door and with a lot of effort switched on the light. 

The smell was getting stronger but all he wanted to do was to eat and go to bed. He grabbed his food from the oven and pulled a chair closer to sit. He ate half of his food, but it didn't taste good.  Emily must have forgotten to put in salt again.  

That damn woman couldn't do a thing right even if you paid her to. He pushed away the plate and searched for his cigarettes in his pocket.  Emily hated if he smoked inside, but it was too damned cold to go out. He found his lighter and with great difficulty put the cigarette in his mouth.  

He flicked the lighter and a small flame appeared.  Damn, it was then that he recognized the smell. It was the gas from the oven.  

It was too late now, the stove exploded like a canon next to him and John Walker was dead within seconds.  He never had a chance.  

Emily's cell phone rang an hour later and the police man informed her that her husband had died. He inquired about her whereabouts the previous evening and she assured him that she was not at home. Her father was rushed to hospital and she spent the evening by his bedside.  

The police did not suspect any foul play but when Emily put the phone down she smiled. Good riddance of bad rubbish, she thought to herself, and handed her father a glass of water. It turned out that it was only heartburn and not a heart attack like suspected and he was going to be just fine.  

She put up a sad face and told her father what happened.  

"We might need to move into your place for a while dad." she said without any remorse in her voice. John came home drunk again, and the whole kitchen exploded. He's gone, and the kids and I will need a place to stay for a while."

Two months later Emily received a cheque from the insurance and a life policy that paid out enough money for her not to work one day in her life again. Her plan worked out perfectly.