It's asking for another loan

How many times has just this once been once? Not how many times you meant it. How many times it delivered. Pull the record, not the feelings. Same offer every time, with the same promise stapled to the bottom. Just this once, and then we're done. You know the number, and it isn't big.

Look at what's on the table. It isn't an offer. It's a loan application. From a borrower who's defaulted on every loan you ever gave it. Any loan officer would stamp that DENIED in half a second. The cigarette took your money, your time and your word, and paid back nothing. It just knows which day to ask.

Saying no here isn't harsh. It isn't white knuckles either. Turning down a bad risk is the calmest decision a person makes. Grab your phone and text one word to someone on your side. Declined. Let them ask what it means. That conversation is worth having.

Take this to God before you move on. Keep my memory honest today. The whole application depends on you forgetting last time. Right now you're keeping your word, which is more than it ever did. Application denied. File closed.