Old Temptations

Jack looked at Elizabeth. She was just starting to show. He was going to have a son. He never even thought he'd get to have sex again, and here he was, about to be a father.

It was a strange thing. He had all he could ask for here. A good woman who attended to every need. A roof over his head. A warm bed. A son, Xavier, who was going to be strong, he just knew it. A Mercedes to drive wherever he needed. And yet, those old addictions. Cheap beer. Cheap cigarettes. And the drugs.

He fumbled absently through his underwear drawer. There it was, an old pair of socks. He undid the socks, and a rock of crack tumbled out. He looked at his pregnant beloved. He looked at the crack. And he closed his eyes.