Corley spread his hands in a generous gesture of admission, "Been on a health kicktely, honestly can''t risk it."


    Murray''s punch, rather than eliciting the "bounce back" effect he expected, ended up choking him instead.


    "Corley, you''re just gonna take that lying down? Don''t you have any fight in you, man?"


    "First off, drinking has nothing to do with having guts or a temper. Secondly, whether I''m a man or not is pretty clear to anyone with eyes."


    Murray sneered, "Is that what you told Roseanne when you were wooing her?"Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    "No, no, no," Corley wagged his index finger, shaking his head, "She''s pretty reasonable, didn''t need to."


    "Ha, so what did you talk about then?"


    "Experiences, anecdotes, professional knowledge, poetry, or even life philosophies, and yes-even sweet nothings. There''s so much to talk about, I couldn''t list them all if I tried." Murray felt a lump in his throat.


    And Corley added fuel to the fire, "Wanna hear about it? Maybe we can set aside some time for a heart-to-heart?"


    Failing to win the argument with words, Murray resorted to sulking and drowning his frustrations in drink.


    After downing two shots of tequ, he began to feel tipsy, loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt.


    Corley frowned at his drinking habits.


    "Your ulcer acting up?"


    "...No."


    "Heh, Roseanne leaves and you just let yourself go, huh?"


    Mentioning Roseanne was thest straw, making Murray''s eyes and nose sting.


    He wouldn''t admit it was his emotions getting the better of him, ming it instead on the alcohol.


    Suddenly, Murray muttered, "12 boxes."


    "...What do you mean?"


    His head bowed, Corley couldn''t see his expression, "After she left, I went through twelve boxes of antacids." Corley''s expression darkened, "You''re not looking to live long, huh? Think she''lle back if you''re half-dead?" "Why wouldn''t she?!" Murray snapped back, his eyes bloodshot.


    "If that''s what you think, then you don''t know Roseanne at all." Corley signale


    the bartender and ordered,


    the alcohol, bring us two cups


    Coffee."


    Uh!


    "...Sir, we don''t serve coffee here..."


    Corley''s gaze hardened, "Then two sses of water, got that?"


    "Yes, right away."


    The bartender hurriedly removed the alcohol and ced two sses of water before them.


    Murray forced a smile, "I don''t know Roseanne? And you do? I was with her for six years! You hear that? Six!"


    "No need to shout. I know how long you''ve been together better than you do. And so? Spending six years without truly understanding her just highlights your negligence and failure."


    "To put it bluntly, you didn''t love her enough."


    "Bullshit-" Murray exploded, "I loved her more than anyone!"


    Corley locked eyes with him, his gaze steady, "If you loved her, why break up?"


    "You see, every word you say contradicts itself, every action digs your own grave. Love isn''t about who can shout the loudest. Six years? All you did was lose her in that time."


    When the veil is lifted, the naked truth is often brutal.


    Sharp as a knife.


    Corley continued, "You im to love her, yet every action of yours trampled on her."


    "Trampled on her wishes, her dignity, and even... her body."