She wasn’t sure what he wanted. He told her a hundred times. Maybe she wasn’t listening.  Perhaps she didn’t want to hear.

Screaming matches took place. Loud voices raised with each sentence. Each accused the other of sins against them. There was never enough holy water to save them.

You’ve screwed everything in this town, she said. Your mark has been left in every bed. That scent you leave behind. Women don’t wash their sheets for weeks after you’ve left them.

What evidence do you have? He asked. You have nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Sad, really. Pathetic. I don’t know who I feel sadder for. You, or the women you leave behind, she said to him. And it’s not just here. You’ve been with women in other towns, too. Philadelphia, Lancaster, over in Jersey. The whole Eastern Seaboard.

That’s not true, he yelled. Not true at all. You’re just jealous. Jealous that people like me.

Women like you. They like you till you leave. Then they call here trying to track you down. I get strange calls in the  middle of the night from complete strangers. Asking for Jimmy. You’re so dumb. You give them your real name. How stupid can you be?

Obviously pretty stupid, he laughed. I’m out of here.

Where are you going? To find some whore at a bar?

He nodded. Put his jacket on. And walked out the door. She stood in the kitchen and watched him leave. Her husband put the truck in reverse and drove off.

Goddammit, she said. She pulled off her ring and placed it in her mouth. On top of her tongue. A whiskey was poured. A toast was made. Here’s to nothing, she said. Absolutely  nothing.