I thought you quit
I said as I watched her light her cigarette
A wry smile
She shrugs
Please, not this again
It's always worse this time of year
I let it drop and warm my hands up on her coffee cup
She says At least you're doing fine
I say I still can't sleep at night
Her fingers pull and twist her napkin into bits
I say I never thought that you'd come home
She asks Has it always been this cold
The headlights' glare illuminates her and her vacant stare
She says I really hate it here
Guess we could all use a new year
The steam from my mouth twists into the smoke from hers
We watch it swirl and disperse