“There’s always something a guy offers,” I said. “Not money, or material support… you guys..girls.. can do that well enough for yourself.  I mean..he offers himself, as a male, his spirit…his strength, reassurance that things are going to be alright.”

“He doesn’t provide me anything,” she said, emphatic, and took a careful drag from her cigarette, then formed her small mouth into at an “O”, and exhaled. “I don’t care if our neighbor gives him the video that he made of me and him when I was drunk.”

I hesitated for only a second: “So you really don’t need him,” I said. “You can walk away from the home you share with him?”

Her face grew bright, with almost manic energy.  I couldn’t help but be drawn to it.  A small smile played on her face: “Off with their heads,” she said.