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God wasn't back home. He wasn't in San Diego or New York or anywhere I moved.

I didn't find Him in alcohol, as Dr. Lawrence would say.

It's hard to stay a non-believer when He's right in front of me. Round green blue eyes and dimples I would take a bullet for.

God is Inez and she just made me a born-again believer.

She smiles modestly. "Eight fifty five," she has my Camels ready before I take three steps in.

She is a goddess. My goddess.

"You're a doll," I breath. This earns me another smile.

"You know, you could just buy a carton of those. It's cheaper and you won't have to come back so frequently." That's exactly why I can't buy them.

"Yeah, but I always tell myself, 'tomorrow will be the day.' So if I had six of those lying around, I wouldn't be able to resist temptation," and you, my dear, are very tempting.

She nods. "Well, good luck. With quitting."

I need all the help I can get with her.