Up in Smoke

He gave into it and walked across the street to Jessup’s Corner store and bought a pack of cigarettes. It was too early in the day to get shit faced drunk he reckoned. He’d sent Miss Peeg to Coffs to file some papers for him at the courthouse, he couldn’t take her cheerfulness today.

Richie took a deep draw off the cigarette and closed his eyes leaning against the outside of his office. Right now his life was in complete shambles. Toni hadn’t spoken to him since the night before and he hadn’t seen her. Her bedroom door was locked to him last night and still closed this morning. He couldn’t justify anything he’d done it made him angry with himself and anybody else that crossed his path. He was also hurting but he wouldn’t admit to that.

“Richie?”

He jumped, “Jan.”

“I wanted to apologize for bringing our troubles over to your house last night, I had no idea that you…”

“Yeah, well…so how are you…is ah…did you get things worked out?”

Jan bit her lip, “no…no Richie we didn’t.”

“I thought Travis was okay last night, he talked sense.”

“He’s good at that and at not letting you know what he’s really feeling…I’m sorry…I…” Her eyes ran over.

“Hey..ah…come inside,” Richie put his arm around her and opened the door.

Across the street Mr. Jessup raised his eyebrows and wagged a finger at the Solicitor.