“Cut me down.â€? She said. “Say something you know is gonna hurt me. I want you to hurt me.â€?

“Fuck, Glory, give it a rest. I’m tired of this shit.â€?

“Just say it. Say you don’t want me. Please say it, say it so I can leave you. I can’t, I can’t leave you like this.â€?

Glory sank down onto the futon, pulled the lumpy down comforter over her soft white breasts and buried her face in her hands.

“God damn it. I’m not for you to leave. There isn’t a ‘you and me’.â€? Ern said, breathing in and quickly exhaling through his nose.
“You know I’m not ever going to be with anyone. It’s not you. You’re great…â€?

“Fuck you. Fuck you.â€? She screamed, ferocious before she sobbed.

Ern walked over to Glory, kissed the top of her head, tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes and said,
“I don’t want you. I never will. You’re just another cold fuck to me.â€?

A lump of pain closed off Glory’s throat, she couldn’t speak. She didn’t move. She sat still and watched him go.