Quitting
by Jake Barnes
I was trying to quit smoking, and I was having a bad time of it. My wife was sympathetic, but she was a smoker, and she had no intention of quitting. No way, she said.
I would smoke, quit, smoke, quit. I just couldn't break the habit. One day, I guess in an attempt to distract me, my wife suggested we go to a local bar where they had a belly dancer. She knew that sort of thing would appeal to me.
So we went. The bar was in a strip mall. Being in a bar didn't bother me. I had quit drinking years before. As for the smokers in the bar, my wife knew the dancer would occupy my attention.
The dancer was a little chubby, but I didn't mind. It gave her more to shake. I was fascinated. I watched her every move. When she finished her dance, she walked around the interior of the bar, table to table, accepting tips, which by tradition the patrons tucked into the fabric of her costume at the waist. A little lower, actually.
When we got home my wife asked how I liked the show. I had a good time, I said. We went to bed, and an hour or so later I woke up dying for a smoke.
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Author's Note
Bitter-sweet memories.
Just don't quit writing.
*
Very nice, Jake. Maybe by first quitting sex,smokers would have an easier time quitting smoking. Just a thought.
*
Bill, I won't. Allen, You've got to be kidding. Gary, No, you're the star; I'm just an old scribbler.
Smoking in bed is sooo Parisian.
J/K
Keep scribbling. Funny how our obsessions get naked together.*
Funny thing Jake, once you really do quit, you wonder why you ever smoked. I'm not sure about the suggested sex thing, but I do know I like your stories.
Nice writing. Great way to end. And I second what Bill said. *
Enjoyed the read, Jake.
Love the wife's pragmatic tolerance.
And I'd always thought it's easier for men to quit. Great rendition of this familiar ordeal. *
Laughed out loud. I feel sorry for "Jake" though.*
I finally lost the craving but I do allow myself to indulge once a year on Mardi Gras day. There are no unallowables on Fat Tuesday. *
Easy read in a good way, memorable. I like Meg's comment in Editor's Eye that tobacco is a love substitute. It is also an entheogen. Just eliminate the chemical additives (my rule). Keep it to ten a day. Try Wellbutrin. That reduces it by five a day average for me. Research shows that reducing is as beneficial as quitting, almost. The PR campaign has it out for self-selecting "slaves" -- this is getting away from the story. I like the comments. I agree with them. Yarrow, Ackley, Harris, especially. More to shake is a good line. *
I was a professional bellydance for several years, so I liked the description. Reminded me of the times when my closet was more bedlahs than basics. :)