Cold Turkey, Part 5

All characters in this story are purely fictional.  Any resemblence 
of these characters to real life people are conicidence only, and are 
not meant to cause offence to anyone.  All place names and locations 
in this story are intentionally fictional.  

COLD TURKEY
by Blackbladder

Part 5

Denise panted furiously as she dropped the firewood in front of the fireplace.
The hunt for wood was now becoming increasingly difficult as her mother and
she had scavaged the usual areas.  She began loading the black fireplace with
the wood when she heard a noise eminating high inside the chimney.  The noise
grew in volume as she realised quickly that something was hurtling towards
her.  As Denise stepped back, a piece of roofing smashed on top of the
firewood.  Good thing Denise and Irene did not have to put up with the
dangerous chimney for much longer.  She swept her long blonde hair back, then
proceeded to light up the fire as normal.  The producing, glowing flame filled
the cabin with a friendly warmth again...

"I don't know about you but that meal was delicious.  How was it for you?" Leo
said as he sat back on the chair with his glass of wine.  He patted his
stomach indicating he could eat no more.

"It was fantastic!  Living on tinned food for the last few days really doesn't
compare with a properly cooked meal like this one." Irene smiled.

"Oh well, time to finish the meal off with a smoke......." Leo casually said
as he removed a pack of Rothman's cigarettes from his inner jacket pocket.  

Irene's eyes almost sprung out of their sockets whilst watching Leo lay his
pack and lighter on the table.  Irene never considered Leo to be a smoker.
Smoking had not really been on her mind since arriving at the cabin.  Here she
was, with a guy she liked a lot, whom was now a smoker.  

"Oh I never knew you smoked, Leo..." Irene stated, her tone naturally of
disappointment.

"Yeah, I only smoke socially.  Would you like one?" Leo returned the comment,
tilting his pack towards Irene.  Panic overtook her system.  She was now over
smoking and frowned upon the offered pack.

"No thanx but I just quit." Irene confirmed as Leo removed a cigarette and lit
it up with the experience of a long-term smoker.

As Leo continued to smoke his cigarette in hungry fashion, Irene explained her
story of quitting smoking whilst on holiday.  

"So you are glad you quit?  You don't like it at all now?" Leo asked
curiously, whilst putting out his cigarette butt.

Irene noted how strong the stench of fresh cigarette smoke was in the air.
For the first time, she realised how much this once-friendly odour was now
infiltrating her nostrils.  As her posture relaxed, she breathed a sigh of
relief whilst finishing her meal. 

"I am glad I quit because my daughter will let me become more involved with
the family.  I am not saying I am an anti-smoker now, or anything.  I just see
it as a pity that you smoke, cause I like you very much." Irene smiled.

Leo smiled back, then his expression turned to one of concern.

"When I saw you earlier in the store, you had that hungry look in your eyes
when looking at the cigarette stance.  It was like you desperately wanted one.
Even tonight, when I took out my smokes, you gave me that look again.  You
obviously still think about smoking a lot." 

"Hey Leo, are you not glad I quit? You are supposed to be supporting me.  My
daughter would go ballistic if she found out I smoked again.  I would be
letting the family down again." Irene responded.

Leo picked up his cigarettes again, and flipped the lid open, leaning the pack
towards Irene again.

"Look, I know you want one.  I love smoking.  That is why I left my ex-wife
because she kept bitching to me about my smoking.  That is why I will only
date smokers too since my divorce.  You seem so perfect to me, Irene.  Come
on, you know it is fate." Leo pleaded, his eyes urging Irene on.

She rubbed her cheeks slowly, pondering and sweating over this offer.  As she
looked deep into Leo's eyes, she knew how she would respond.  Leo is the guy
for me, she thought.

"What Denise does not know won't hurt her.  Plus, I have done so well up to
now.  One cannot hurt." Irene reasoned, whilst removing a cork- filtered
cigarette from the pack and raising it to her lips.  Leo instantly produced a
flame from the lighter and lit Irene's cigarette.

As the flame engulfed her cigarette, Irene closed her eyes and sucked hard,
desperately wanting to feel that buzz fill her lungs.  The end glowed bright
red as Irene's cheeks collapsed.  Her posture compeletely relaxed as she leant
back in her chair whilst inhaling.  After holding the smoke in her lungs for
five seconds, she dreamily opened her eyes and exhaled a cone of smoke
overhead.  She had rediscovered an old friend.

Meanwhile, Leo lit his second cigarette and inhaled deeply as Irene stared at
the burning cylinder between her fingers.

"I have missed this so so much." Irene spoke out loud.

As she took another heavy puff, she thought what she would do now.  The smoke
helped her agree that she could no longer give up.  Her first cigarette
burried any previous thoughts about quitting as she continued to smoke with
Leo for the next hour.  

"So, tell me more about your daughter." Leo inquired whilst exhaling smoke
lazily towards the ceiling.

"Denise is my only child from my previous marriage to John.  She has always
vowed never to be like me.  She rebelled against the things I did.  When I was
younger with John, we loved to drink, smoke and party all night long - every
night!" Irene smiled,  whilst waving the cigarette in her hand to emphasize
her ease of the conversation.  

Leo just sat there, basking in the sight of this beautiful middle- aged woman,
how she gripped the cigarette - holding the cylinder tightly as if her life
depended on it.  But Irene seemed to do this with a respect for her
rediscovered smoking.  

"Denise always stuck with the prudes at school - she was always part of a
chess club or voluntary activities group at the school.  She always looked
down on me for doing the things i enjoy..." Irene frowned at the cigarette,
contemplating what the future would now hold as the whole purpose of the trip
was now thrown in jeopardy.  

Another round of drinks were ordered...

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