Searching

"Never?"

Gus was surprising himself, having this talk, but he felt a little sleepy and the crackers tasted good and he'd forgotten about the cat.

"I kind of thought it might happen once, but then I joined the Army and after I got home nothing was the same."

The two men sat silently, chewing crackers.

"How about you?" Gus asked. "No wife?"

Joe sat back and Gus realized with disappointment that the box was empty.

"I'm married, but she's…not here."

"Whatdya mean, not here?"

Joe pulled a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and offered one to Gus, but he shook his head. Only after Joe leaned back to watch smoke curl toward the ceiling did he answer.

"She left, several months ago. She's staying with her parents in Virginia."

This wasn't the first time Gus had wished he smoked. The moment was right for something like a cigarette. Companionship and distraction.

"She coming back?" he asked.

"Depends."

"On what?"

Joe shrugged, but Gus could tell he'd thought about it.