No Second Chances

"Well, I am an ugly man."

"Oh, don't say things like that."  Sarah had always loved him, despite his many flaws.  John was a drunk, for one.  He lived outside a bar.  Who knows how he got food, but he slept every night under the day's newspapers.  The bartender was more generous than most.  He'd give him a drink in exchange for cleaning the bar at the end of the night.  John had had the police called on him in previous "establishments," so he was grateful to find one who put up with him.

"You'd think you'd have better things to do than come visit an old man every couple days.  Why haven't you found a nice boy yet?  Or a nice girl, for that matter?"

"You took care of me for years, dad.  It's only right that I do it for you."

"Bullshit.  I'm not your responsibility."

"Yes you are.  I told you I have an extra room-"

"I'm not taking any charity, Sarah.  It's not who I am."

"You're a stubborn old coot, is what you are.  The fire wasn't your fault, and you know that."

"Your mother told me not to smoke in bed.  If I'd listened to her, she'd still be here today.  And don't even think of telling me not to blame myself; I'll do that until the day I die."

"Don't I know it."  Sarah sighed deeply.  "Why do you do this to yourself?  You let your whole life be defined by one mistake."

"That's how the world works.  They say everyone gets a second chance.  Bullshit.  It's like McGregor the goat-"

"I know the joke, dad.  But I'm giving you another chance."

"The world doesn't care.  You can live a perfect life for decades, but you mess up once and it never forgives you.  If I'm very lucky, maybe there's a God above and he'll give me a second chance in the afterlife.  But I wouldn't count on it."

"Will you at least check into the shelter tonight?  It's going to get down in the 20's."

John pushed himself up.  "All right, baby, I'll do it for you.  Give me a ride.  But only if you promise me that you'll go out and have fun tonight."

"Okay, dad, it's a deal."

"Love you, sweetheart."

"Yeah, I know.  Love you, too."

"I wish you didn't, but I guess you can't always get what you want."

*Thanks for this challenge, by the way.  I always paralyze myself on first drafts, so it's good practice to just cut loose and not overthink things.*