“What’s he doing there?”
Shegives me a look. “Playing the cards. Like he alwaysdoes.”
“And what have you been up to?”
Her eyesslit and her mouth twitches up into a smile. “No good.”
My smilematches hers.
“You got some time off, baby?”
After abeat, considering it, I answer. “I can, why?”
“Thought we’d head to Vegas. You up for that?”
“Well, I wish you would have said something beforehand. Icould have brought something.”
Shewaves. “Anything you need you can buy there.”
Rosieforgets that I’m not a multi-millionaire like her husband is. Sure,I earn good money doing what I do, but I don’t have a limo and adriver, nor do I have an unlimited supply of money to keep meentertained. She sees the reluctance in my face. “We can just stayfor the weekend, baby. Is that better?”
“Yeah. I’ll send my brother a text.”
“Is that his house?” she gestures with her chin as the driverpulls out of the driveway.
“Yeah. It’s just…temporary. Until I get a place of myown.”
“Well, you should have said something, baby. You could havestayed with me.”
“It’s okay. My brother’s cool.”
Sheignores my answer. “So, are you in?”
“Vegas, you mean?”
Sherolls her eyes, exasperated.
“Y…yeah…sure.” I hesitate.
After aknock on the privacy glass, I’m assuming as a signal to head to theairport, the driver heads for the highway.
…and I realize that I’m in for one hell of aweekend.
***
After myfourth free beer and as many shitty hands at the craps table, Irealize that I don’t care anymore. I’ve lost countless dollars andI keep watching my money flush down the toilet without a lick ofworry. I have no house and if I keep it up, I won’t be able toafford one anyhow. Rosie is kicking my ass, winning double what I’mlosing, and nobody is giving me a shake, telling me to quit. Elliewould be over here, dragging my sorry ass back to the hotel room,in fact, she’d never let me come to a place like this. Like, overher dead body kinda never, seeing as she’s a commodities broker.She knows what a sure way to lose your money this is.
But,like a fool, I keep going. Then Rosie drags me over to the Roulettetables, where I lose even more. I’ve sunk to an all-time low. Theworst part is, I haven’t even gotten laid yet. The chick on myleft, opposite Rosie, is looking at me like I’m some alien. “Yougot a problem?” I ask her.
“No, but it appears that you sure do.” She says, and I canhear the hint of caution in her voice. She’s an older woman, like,way older than Rosie. She’s almost my mom’s age if I had to guess.And with the half moon shaped reading glasses on her face, I’d sayI’m right on the money. “You’re gonna lose all your money you keepthis up, sugar.”
“Why do you care?” I whine.
She laysa card down. “I’ve seen your type many times, darlin’. You goingthrough something at home, son?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She looks at her cards, surveyingthem, and I notice how she hasn’t got a snide or righteous tone inher voice. “Divorce?”
