small talk

my friend
complains about his wife.
her weight gain.
her disinterest in sex.
her long hours
at work,
and her rotten son,
now his stepson.
it wouldn't be bad if
he mentioned any of this
once or twice
a year,
but every time we talk
or see each other,
he brings it all up.
I hate my job, he says.
shaking his head.
my boss is such a horrible
person.
he cheats me out of sales.
I listen, I sigh.
but finally break, I tell
him his life is a living hell.
to this he shows surprise
and says what?
why would you say something
like that?
from this point on
I never hear another word
about any
of it. we talk sports now.