I had always had a thing for cigars ever since I was a young man and now in my late twenties I enjoyed them even more. Tony looked like one of the wor...d’s great smokers as he took huge open mouth inhales like his life depended on it as he savoured every inch of the cigar like it was his last. After god knows how many drinks and two more of Tony’s wonderful cigars I was feeling more than a little drunk. Even though I was disappointed that my girlfriend was at her mother’s sick bed, I was feeling. She looked across at the tills; the staff were busy and no one seemed to have noticed that her husband had walked in with another man. She looked back towards the nightwear section; Karl was looking at nightdress and panty sets and Neil was standing very close to him. Karl was speaking to Neil as he inspected some of the items. She thought about walking over to them but decided against it. It would only bring attention to them all for one thing, but it might also distract Neil from what he was. I think she got stoned last night. I just thought I’d come check on you.”“What do you know about being stoned?”“Puh-leeze, J. I’m eight years old. I’m not a baby. Third grade is a hell-hole. The no-smoking rules only apply to tobacco. Once we get outside for recess, kids bring out the hidden stashes.”“They smoke dope at school?”“Mostly they eat cupcakes. That’s why the teacher reads to us after lunch for an hour. I really get into the stories when I’m tripping.”“Pey, that stuff is bad for you.. . that actually sounds cool. You’d want me as your partner? Why?” Amber inquired curiously.“Think about it, Sis. We’d be alone together ... a lot ... like we would have a built-in excuse to be ALONE all the time. We could drive anywhere, and everybody from our parents to our friends would think that it was all just job-related...”Amber shrieked, “You ARE a genius, Bro! Yes, yes, yes! I will be your partner, Baby!” she screamed while kissing me repeatedly on the lips.“I thought you’d like that.