I’m not going anywhere, he said.

Staying?

Yeah.

We fight too much, she said.

Right.

If you stay, we’re just going to argue more. Every night. Always. You say something. I say something.  It gets mean, she fumbled through her purse for a cigarette and lighter. I’m tired of it. I ain’t got no more fight left, she raised her hand and the waitress came over. You got any matches?

This is non smoking, the server said. You have to go outside.

No smoking in a bar? You got to be kidding me. Can’t smoke anywhere anymore. They’re taking away our rights. Right?

Sure, the redhead walked away.

I got a lighter. Let’s step outside, he said.

In the cold? Are you nuts?

Yes, and yes. Price you pay for sin. Bible says the body is a temple, he laughed.

Right. Have another drink. She shook her head. You know at Curly’s you can smoke.

Yeah. On the deck, you can.

I could’ve swore they let you smoke inside.

Nope. Only on the deck. Come on. Let’s go outside. I could use one myself. 

OK. Wait. We got to quit fighting.

Yes. Yes, we do.

I love you.

I love you too.