Dignity

Jim was the kind of drunk who saved the deeper stuff for when he was well-liquored. Leaning into Roger, he slurred, I can't sleep with her 'til I'm at least twice this drunk. Roger told him to save it for a priest. 

One night Jim was hit while riding a bicycle on the freeway. Roger went up to Jim's girl after the funeral, looked her straight in the eye and said, Jim always jabbered on how crazy he was about you. 

Thank you, the girl said, squeezing his hand -- but it was a sad, godawful lie and she knew it.