I didn’t hurt you. You did that to yourself, he said. All this talk. This constant babble. Unhappiness. Do you think you’re the only one with problems? Disappointments? he asked. Look around you. I haven’t met a happy soul yet, he lit a cigarette. Maybe it’s that time of the year. The holidays are over. Christ’s birthday? done, she pulled out a bottle of water from her coat. No one drinks in January. Dry month, they call it. Let the body recoop, he shook his head. But no. I didn’t hurt you. You were just looking for something else. A good man? That’s hard to find, crushed out his cigarette with his boot. We’re all looking for something. I dont know if we’ll ever find it, he smiled. I just want peace. That’s all. Just peace.

He placed his hand on hers. Patted it. Held it. Fingers linked. You take care now, he told her. And then he walked away.