Eric was used to smoking after a meal, so he had not even thought about his promise to Crystal when he sat down on the sofa and lit a cigarette. Crystal was infuriated, though. She marched over to him and said, “You said that you would quit smoking for me. It seems that men take their vows about as seriously as they do their farts.”

As soon as Crystal began speaking, Eric remembered his vow, and he immediately snuffed out the cigarette. He threw it in the ashtray and said, “I forgot. I am sorry. This isn’t easy. I am trying, but you will have to be patient with me....