Denise's face crumpled like a wax flower left out in the sun. "You don't understand," she said. "You're a man. Who cares if you're a slob? You don't know how it feels."

"It's dangerous," he said. "You have to stop."

"Make me."

He stared at her, incredulous. "You could die."

She pushed her plate away. "You can't tell me what to do," she said.

Melvin rubbed his forehead. He cut himself another slice. "Your father asked about you today," he said.

She ...