Do you love me? he asked. Care? he continued. You know, I look at you and sometimes I see nothing. Nothing but a pretty face. No soul behind it. This whole time, I’ve known you, and you have yet to show your cards. Some kind of game you play, he rolled a cigarette on the bar. She looked around the room. Looked at other men walking through the door. Watched couples dance and laugh. Wondered why they didn’t. Would you look at me when I’m talking? he asked. It’s just a common courtesy. At least show interest, she took a drink from her rocks glass. I remember when I first met you, he told her, pointing his forefinger at her chest. I thought, what a pretty girl. You had a real pretty look to you. Sweet, he laughed. You looked sweet. You never know what it is you’re getting, he smiled. I saw you in this bar, and I said to myself that one day you’d be all mine, he took a drag. That’s what I said. Silently. Quietly. I felt my lips move just a bit. And, I walked over to you. What’s the first thing I said to you? she shook her head. You dont remember? she moved her head from side to side again. I said, hello. Just a simple hello. But, I looked you in the eyes when I said it. Those pretty green eyes. And that’s all it took. Three kids and a mortgage later, that’s all it took.

I’m leaving, she said. I can’t breathe anymore. You can have the kids, the house, I don’t want them. I need to take off and go look for myself. Somewhere. Not sure, she stood up. Took a drink and placed her glass on the bar. It was never right, she said. Never felt right. Just did it on a whim. I think most girls do. There is no love.