Maybe the old drunk next to you did love her-- that part's sometimes true. And over the years, yes, it's her name he's given to whatever it is he's missing.

But when he says he still doesn't know why she left--he would never have left a love like that-- you know he's started lying.

Whatever story he came home late with that night, he should have known it then: she left because, as he will tonight, he let time get away from him, one time too often.