“So we’re just gonna wander out West?”

     “Yep.” Mike said nonchalantly, “I don’t have anything left for me here, so I figure there’s no real harm in it.”

     “I have a job. I have family here.” Tara says. “I can’t just up and leave.”

     “There’s not a minute when you don’t complain about your stupid job. I think you’d be happier without it.” Mike takes an American Spirit out of the case. “Tell me, would you rather stay here and rot at your miserable job...” He lights up. “Or get out of here and have an adventure?”

     “Maybe.” Tara thinks for a moment. Mike takes a drag. She thinks about leaving.

     When she was little, Tara wanted to be an explorer, all of those picture books she read before she could even begin to understand the words on the page. She idolized all of those little people with their funny hats and weird jackets. She grew out of it quickly. But, she really hadn’t achieved anything else, so maybe it’s worth a shot.

     She gets lost in the thought of it for a while. Maybe she could be the little, picture-book explorer some day too. Well, maybe that’s a bit hopeful. She isn’t even leaving the country, probably.

     The idea, though, of being in a cramped cab with him smoking a pack a day made her nauseous. Tara considered a life with Mike, often, but that was a while ago. She thought then that they would be so happy, and all of their problems would resolve themselves given enough time. She long since abandoned the futile task of trying to persuade him to stop smoking. Although, her coworkers always told her that he’s gotta make that decision on his own.

     “Maybe if you didn’t smoke like a chimney. Maybe.” Tara says.

     “Consider it a deal.” Mike says.

     “Just like that?”

     “Yep.”

     “Did you even think it over?”

     “Did you?”