Jump to full article: Pioneer Press Newspapers (Waukegan, IL), 2009-07-09
Author: TERRI SCHMIDT Contributor
Intro: I am a very classy cigarette case. My caramel ostrich-skin leather surrounded by a gold border opens sideways to show 8 cigarettes on each side. Very 1940s -- Rick might have used it to offer Ilsa a smoke in "Casablanca." Now I just sit in a drawer.
I never thought it would come to this. My owner loved to smoke. She had it with morning coffee; while driving to work; at work when she thought she couldn't handle the stress; after work with a drink with friends; the last thing before bed. I thought that I was her best friend because I never left her side. . . .
Nope, what really ended it for us were her kids. They started to pretend that they were smoking, imitating her using a straw from their juice boxes. And then she knew it was all over for her and me.
She learned all the tricks to do things differently. No more coffee -- too much of a reminder of the old days . . .
I think I'll have to change careers to get out of the drawer. Maybe I'll start carrying her business cards.
If you would like to retire your cigarette case, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, (866) 784-8937, for help and services near you.
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