No one asked him how he felt about it, so her question caught him off guard. He really didn't know how to answer it. He knew what was best, financially, for his family. He thought he knew what was best, emotionally, for his family. But he'd not taken any time to think about what was best for him.

He was saved from having to answer by the arrival of drinks. There were some advantages to a mostly empty bar, and quick service was one of them. He took a long drink before finally speaking.

"I don't know how I feel about it. I don't think I can do it, really. But I don't know that I'm ready to just quit, either."