“It’s true!” she screamed. “Tell me, when is the last time you thought of anyone other than yourself? When? No, never mind. Tell me this: This one will be way better. When is my birthday?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“It’s an easy goddamn question!” she screamed. “When is my birthday?”

“How should I know? You haven’t had one since we’ve been together.”

She shook her head; another tear fell from her eye. “Yes, I have. It was on Thursday, and I told you at least three different times since we’ve been together. Three times, Stratton,” she said, holding up three fingers as though I might otherwise be confused. “I came home from work and just sat here waiting for you to surprise me with something, or at the very least to wish me a happy birthday. But you never did. You just lay in bed pitying yourself the whole friggin’ day, and that’s why I went out last night. To celebrate my birthday with friends, okay? I mean, you didn’t even tell me that you loved me!”

“Why in the fuck didn’t you remind me?” I roared.

“Because I shouldn’t have had to!”

“Right, and then you go out and party all night without me. You know what? No, never mind. It’s not worth it. I’m not going to sit here and listen to this shit,” I said, and started toward the door.

“Fine, run away, then! That’s what you always do!” she yelled, bawling now, her entire face scarlet and tear-streaked. Her nose was running and she kept sniffling.

I stopped a few feet short of the door. “Alright, I’ll stay, then. Let’s argue, darling. Let’s have a good old-fashioned knock-down, drag-out affair.”

“Why, Stratton? Why do you have to be such an asshole all the time? ”

“Yes, I’m an asshole. An asshole who gave you a place to live when you had nowhere else to go.”

“If I knew it would have been like this, then I would have never agreed to it!”

“Oh don’t give me that bullshit! If it wasn’t for me, then you’d probably be in some South Side whorehouse sucking cock for spare change. After Jimmy? If you let him fuck you, then who wouldn’t you let?”

“Yes, go ahead, Stratton, tear me down if it makes you feel better. It’s the only thing you can do because you know I’m right!”