Ashes

I looked at him, his eyes filled with fear and desperation. He sat across from me at the bar and started giving me his long sob story. I’ve heard it all before, can’t help it in my business and this story is as old as time. Robbed by his business partner/best friend, wife left, no kids, parents dead, he had no one to turn to in his hour of need. All he had left was a mountain of debt, a struggling business, his depressingly empty house and the bottle. I raised an eyebrow as he poured himself another drink, rather impressed with his tolerance. I would only be able to handle three of those and he’s on his sixth. I ask him if he’s got a plan and he nods. He’s going to get his wife back, I tilt my head and he notices my question. Apparently they still love each other but she hadn’t been able to save him from his downward spiral of self-loathing and shame. If he could pull himself together he could get her back and they could start fresh. All he was lacking was funds... I guess that’s where I come in. I shake his hand and leave the bar, I need a good night’s rest. After all, tomorrow I have to burn down his house.