Walk home in the dark jam your hands in the pockets of the coat your brother gave you. Duck your head as the car drives past. Walk faster as the cold freezes your nose hair. Slip your key into the lock. Deeply breathe as she shouts. Pet the dog he loves you. Open the fridge find a beer. Hand her one. Breathe. Sigh. Calmly answer the machine gun questions each one a bullet waiting to penetrate. Drink another beer. Tell her you love her. Breathe. Pet the dog. Make yourself apologize. Pour yourself some cereal. Check the clock 1:42 am. Tell her your tired, there are no right answers. She won't let it go. She needs the control. Breathe, finish your cereal. Tell her you're going to bed. The mattress was your ex's. Wash your face, wash the pain out of your eyes. You asked for this. Hug her when she comes to you. Call the dog to bed. You're tired. There is no winner.