She takes the pot with her bare hands and brings it to the table. I follow with the glasses. I"m not hungry but I fill my plate. We talk and laugh during dinner. There’s a family atmosphere. It had been a while since it had happened. I made coffee and took it to her. She’s on the couch. She takes off her shoes and folds her legs. She pushes her hair back with her hand. She puts the glass down and lights a cigarette. She doesn"t smoke much. She’s disciplined in bad habits too.
"How are things at work?" she asks, "is the dwarf still hounding you?"
"Less than usual."
"He must be in love."
"In love... you’d have to be kidding."
She rubs a knee. She seems to be chasing a thought. She takes the ashtray and puts it in her lap. I walk around the table and stack the dirty dishes. I put
