Smoke billowed through the living room as it dispersed and spiraled into the air. Tanner held the tight blunt to his lips, tasting the sweet mango flavoring of the wrap. He inhaled deeply, holding the smoke in his lungs for a few seconds before exhaling a load of stress. He closed his eyes, completely soothed. In a split second his peace and silence was over. He jolted as a shrill voice came from the bedroom.
“TANNER, I’ve told you a million times, smoke *OUTSIDE*!” His irritated wife yelled.
Tanner cringed as he wondered if the smoke *really* bothered her or if she just wanted to have control. “*Fucking Christ, I can’t relax in my own apartment?”* he muttered quietly to himself.
Tanner replied “Yes darling!” in a sarcastic, mocking tone as he rose from the couch and slunk to their balcony. The sliding glass door jammed a little when he tried it, causing him more frustration than the occasion called for.
He stepped out into the warm summer air and inhaled, breathing in the aroma of a burning charcoal grill. He closed his tired eyes and listened to crickets chirping in the woods, enjoying the pleasant sounds of early summer.