Where is he?

Hiding.

He’s always hiding.

From you.

Me?

Yeah. Even when he was a little boy, he used to run from you, she said. He’d run and trip over his own two feet. Falling right into my arms. You’d call his name, and he’d turn away.

That so? Never realized. I know I don’t see him much.

You never see him. And when you do, he runs. Like you’re some kind of monster or something. And when you call, he gives me the phone. Just hands it over the second he hears your voice.

He never liked me.

What do you want? she asked. I don’t think you ever liked him. He was just some mistake you made on a Friday night.

Huh. That so?

Yeah. I told you no. Remember? You just had to push it. Made me do something I didn’t want to do.

So you regret him too? Huh?

No. I do not. I just regret the man who gave him to me.

Hmm. He lit a cigarette.

No smoking in here, she said. He continued blowing smoke.

I said no smoking, she grabbed his arm. He laughed.

You gonna stop me? Should have done that six years ago. She pulled out a gun from her purse. A short snub revolver. You serious? Gonna kill me over a cigarette? she nodded.

This aint about no cigarette.

What’re you saying?

You know God damn well what I’m saying.

Alright. Alright. I’ll leave. Don’t go shooting me in the back now. Hear? she nodded. He closed the door behind him.