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 ****.

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.