My Cardboard Balcony

Reunion at the Pub by Belinda Roddie She hadn't been outside her home for seven years, and he hadn't drunk beer for two of those. When the bartender poured them sizable pints, they weren't sure how it was going to taste. In the end, the flavor reminded them of horse rides, folk music, and railroads left to rust in the rain.

"Do you just call everything adorable?" grumbled Martin. " 'Ooh, that puppy is adorable! Ooh, that dress is just adorable! Ooh, the way that couple's holding hands is just sooooo adorable!' I mean, couldn't you extend your vocabulary a bit." After a brief silence, Emily giggled. "Oh, Martin," she mused. "You're so worked up over this. It's just adorable."