I was dying to ask what the weekend was all about, but, before I could she lit another cigarette and spoke. If you accept my terms, on Friday before you come home from work you will stop and buy a carton, not a pack, a carton of Tareyton 100’s. The rest you will find out then. Tareyton’s are not my brand of choice, but have always been Michelle’s since I first met her. She once explained that her mother started her on the Tareyton’s at age twelve and she has never changed brands. She has of course smoked the occasional other brand of cigarette when without her brand. This is a rare occurrence though; Michelle is a smoker and always thinks ahead. With her two packs a day habit on weekdays and three pack a day habit on weekends, she always has at least two unopened packs in her purse before leaving home. She always has a spare carton at home from the time she opens her current carton. At forty-four years old she is still a beautiful woman. A confessed addicted smoker, apparently the cigarettes and diet coke have been her recipe for success for her absolutely gorgeous body. I had two days to think about it. I didn’t really have a lot of choices I rationalized. I had already been in trouble with her once for taking a pack of cigarettes and smoking them. I had smoked without her knowledge on other occasions. I already had an enormous amount of guilt from that. Plus if she caught me again she would have a fit and I would feel the wrath. I knew from being with Michelle for so long that Tareyton’s were sometimes difficult to find and that she counted on the cigarette store for her supply. On Friday afternoon I stopped at the cigarette shop and asked for a carton of Tareyton 100’s. The young lady at the counter gave me an unusual look and said, not the brand I would have guessed you for. Uh, kind of a long story I mumbled. I don’t close for another hour the young lady said in what I deemed an inquiring manner.
I gave her a quick rundown about how I thought quitting smoking was a good New Years Resolution and how I was now trying to get out of it. What is the whole carton for she asked? I’m not sure, just following instructions. Hmmm, I’d bet that you have a long weekend ahead of you. After she collected my money and returned my change, she looked at me and winked and said happy smoking, maybe I’ll see you next time when you’re not in trouble.
Michelle was already home. She noticed the carton in my hand and I saw a little devious smile on her face. Planning on smoking this weekend she inquired? I didn’t know what to say, so I said, maybe, depends what my girlfriend says. Good answer she said while laughing. Dinner is ready she said, put those cigarettes down on the counter and let’s eat.
After the dinner dishes were cleaned up she and I retired to the living room where we turned on television and watched Jeopardy. I was on pins and needles as she hadn’t mentioned anything about the cigarettes. At about five until seven she finally spoke about the cigarettes. At 7 o’clock you will begin part 1. Get a pack of cigarettes from the carton, an ashtray, grab one of my spare lighters out of the miscellaneous drawer and a glass of water would be recommended.
