The next day I was gone, for another long day, before Arlene rose. Giving her a quiet country day. Spent flipping channels and hoping someone would call with a job offer.

Being a dull day the urges for tobacco kept cropping up in her mind. Not helping her all those seen smoking in commercials and shows. Tempted to quell the nicotine urges looked at the pills left in her purse.

Poking the pills about she recalls the effects of each. Debating to take a couple or not Arlene feels watched. Wondering if Sheena is judging her looks over at the dog, who's napping on a black, hall mat. Curious if someone is on the property Arlene sets the pills back into the purse to get up and look.

With purse in hand she checks out the three main windows within sight. No outdoor movement noticed she heads to the back of the shack. Peering out the bathroom window she only spots a few birds going about their day.

Exiting the bathroom she takes a hard look at the purse. Arlene you don't need or want those. Turning about she contemplates flushing them down the toilet be done with them. Knowing full well boredom is the true issue today Arlene takes the pills out of the purse. Glancing back and forth between pills and toilet a few times she's uncertain what to do.

After a mental debate, she laughs at herself, for standing there, so long. Unwilling to dispose of them yet, convinces herself by keeping them can prove her will power is stronger.

Turning back to view the shack she wants put the pills out of easy access. The place so small has few hiding spots and all are within easy reach. Realizing Sheena is studying her, Arlene smiles, "what do you think Sheena?"

Being talked to Sheena wags her tail slightly.

"No ideas either eh?" Arlene shrugs and decides to tuck them into a sock within her sock drawer.

Leaving the bedroom and purse within Arlene sits beside Sheena to pet her. Happily taking the affection Sheena leans into Arlene. Stoking Sheena's side Arlene eyes the television where a large lavish party is taking place. The party goers partaking in intoxicants don't get to her those who are smoking cigarettes do, causing her to question the dog, "Does Rob keep any smokes or cigars around here?"

Not getting any real response from the dog, Arlene gets up to search the shack. With very few drawers or cabinets it doesn't take Arlene long. Only finding the old cardboard dope box she looks at the powdered herb that remains. Barely a couple bowls and didn't care for all the coughing. Taking a moment to examine the dozens of tiny vials left from weed-oil purchases could see getting a joint or two. The time and mess made to make that happen don't interest her enough to bother. The nicotine calling she considers the dusty herb. No, hate to disappoint Rob if he wanted to finish it off. Closing the box she gives up on that idea.

After returning the box she wonders if the wine would help but knows it'll make things worse. Get feeling good and you'll want something to smoke, more.

Knowing she needs to just occupy the mind looks through the accumulated items nearby. A couple photo albums make her think. I wonder if Rob did tell me the truth about those pictures?

Retrieving a large brown album she gets comfortable in the sofa chair.

The first several pages of four are pictures of me from the teens. It takes her a second, but recalls taken the one at her father's house on Little-Grey street. Barely remembers the day but she was deciding whether I was a friend or more. Shoulda' grabbed him up right there - got the ol'claws in. Arlene lightly laughs.

Seeing a curly haired blonde on my lap in another picture gets her attention and thoughts become conflicted. As she realizes it's Tammy with a perm and must be from a time when they dated. The couples part was mere envy, but seeing her former friend happy even with a bad hair-doo lingered on the photograph. Clearly understanding, this good-hearted person, will never be a friend to her again. Saddened by the thought Arlene closes the album as confirmation comes in a few tears.

Setting the album aside she gets up to find a tissue. Nose blown, a little sadder and still craving nicotine Arlene gets another coffee before returning to the album.

Settled back in the chair she opens the album again. The next happened onto are better being Len in odd shots. Skipping past a couple with Tammy she comes to those in question, those taken of Arlene. A smile forms seeing her teenage self. The places are easily recalled not so much the times. Arlene is pleasantly surprised for a few reasons: to see almost a dozen photos with her in them, she doesn't even have that many pictures of herself. Another, none of the pictures are those she had a problem with, that showed butt.

She of course flipped through the rest of the album to make sure, even checking behind pictures. Most of the people and places within she knew. One group of shots had her ponder on what was going on. She could tell Len and Chad caught me drunk one night rolling around on the ground.

Checking the second smaller album Arlene actually takes more time as it has a lot of scenery and colored sky shots. One section she went back over a couple times as it was pictures taken several years ago, the incident at Ipperwash. She wasn't sure what it was all about at first. An older car with 'OPP who?' painted on the side she recognizes from the news that year. Seeing a few pictures with Len confirm it for her. Impressed she asked Sheena if she was there too. Sheena got up but pointed her nose at the door to go out.

Figuring she should get out too Arlene sets the album aside. Taking the last swig of coffee Arlene gets up to get out with the dog.

A cool sunny day Sheena bounds out happily to take care of business. Inhaling the cool air deeply through nose Arlene detects something's off in the air. As Arlene sniffs at the air, it gets Sheena's attention rising from a squat in the grass.

Walking the short walkway Arlene continues sniffing the air. Curious if something is out there Sheena sniffs about, seeming normal. Arlene is picking up on the exposed field soil as her own sense of smell has improved since avoiding the cigarettes. Trying to locate the smell Arlene gets that watched feeling again. Straightening up she looks to the barn, however the sensation isn't coming from there.

Easing around Arlene looks to the neighbors house. Her cheeks warm in slight embarrassment, realizing the wee ones were watching. Snorting a nervous laugh at herself waves to the kids. The girl flees the window, the boy partially waves before following.

"Oh my god Sheena, guess I'm not the only one bored out here," she smiles to the dog. Cool weather and someone paying attention to me, Sheena becomes a little lively, snapping up a long stick for Arlene to chase after.

"Oh you got a stick eh?" Arlene's willing to play, "I'm gonna get it," and gives chase. Sheena prances about proudly shaking the stick occasionally.

Getting close enough Arlene grabs the stick and starts a little tug-of-war challenge. The neighbor kids returned to watch with their mother, someone new to check out.

Tugging away for a few minutes both pulled to hard in opposite directions snapping the stick. Instantly Arlene makes out like she's got the best part. Sheena drops the piece in mouth to chase Arlene. Not sure if Sheena was about to run her over to get the stick, Arlene tosses it towards the barn. Sheena turns and hesitates to see if and where the stick lands. Spotting the stick Sheena runs for it. Amused Arlene watches Sheena pick it up and head back.

Sheena prances tauntingly past attempting to get Arlene to follow. Arlene figured's her out and makes a quick movement like she's going to run after. Picking up the pace Sheena runs around the willow tree and behind the shack. Watching the dog pass the tree Arlene notices the kids are back with mom. Again Arlene attempts to wave, the kids just seem to look up to their mother, who returns the gesture.

Feeling awkward in the moment Arlene is perplexed, unsure how to feel about being watched. Knowing this is the only neighbor out here she could talk with. The returned gesture and seeming close in age she wouldn't mind going over to get to know them. Reminded she may not speak the best English decides another day perhaps. As the young mother turns away Arlene wanders to the back to see Sheena, on the ground gnawing on the stick.

Half hardily chasing Sheena they end up in the field. Sheena drops the stick for Arlene to throw and backs up. Picking up the stick Arlene can smell the soil and realizes what she originally smelt. Throwing the stick between the barn and pick-up-truck Arlene bends down to retrieve a tiny clump of soil. Smelling the soil ponders if her senses are improving in the country, or is it the lack of pollution to the body from intoxicant or city surroundings.

Returning at a slower pace Sheena is still hoping for a bit more play. In a good mood Arlene lunges to get the dog moving again. Sheena circles around Arlene so she pursues. Not far as Sheena dives for cover under the pick-up.

"Oh gonna be like that hmm." Arlene's okay with it ending there. Looking to the cab of the truck Arlene's still thinking about a smoke. Maybe there's a little something left in the glove-box or ashtray?

Inside the cab she rifles through the glove-box only finding a lighter. The ashtray does have a few old cigarette butts in them. Picking out the longer of the butts she stretches it out while bringing it to the nose to smell. Able to get several good drags off the butt and it smelling okay she dares to light it. With a few flicks of the old Bic gets a flame. Hair aside she places the butt in lips and lights it up. Getting in a lungful of the old smoke she quickly regrets it and begins coughing. The taste foul to her the butt is tossed into the dirt drive.

Unhappy with that experiment Arlene gets out of the truck spitting. What the fuck was I thinking? Why the hell did I ever start smoking?

Wanting that taste out of the mouth Arlene heads back into the shack.