I gave him a quick, “Sure,” practically waving him off. I needed to focus on taking down Jack. Lamar, too, but mostly Jack.
The game went on, and soon I was certain of my impending victory.
“You’re on. I’ll call,” I said, dropping my cards down with gusto. My large pile had been shrinking, but I was still on a mission to put Jack in his place.
Lamar folded, setting his cards down in front of him. “Too rich for my blood.”
Two losses later, however, Jack was looking a little too pleased with himself.
“Looking a little sparse over there, Lamar. But I suppose it’s time to get you off this board,” a high-handed Jack gloated.
“Keep talking, Jack. It won’t matter when I knock you out of the game,” I replied as if Jack had taunted me.
I pushed my bet into the community pot, and Lamar went all in after me. If I were going to lose, I’d much rather it be to Lamar.
Jack and Lamar were all in, and it was down to me. I had nothing left to give, but I believed in my pocket queens. And while I couldn’t help but pout at my significantly weakened standing, I wasn’t about to give up.
I nearly gave away my hand when a third queen was revealed on the flop, which meant a full house, or four of a kind, was on my radar. Either way, it was a solid bet. Jack raised, trying to get me to fold before the turn, and it wasn’t happening.
The infuriating man was trying to bait me into a bad decision, but I didn’t fold pocket queens, ever, and especially not when it was just between Jack and me. He might have thought he could bluff me out with this new bet, but he was dead wrong.
The answering smile on Jack’s face told me he thought he’d backed me into a corner. He had a gleam in his eye, and it screamed trouble.
“Since Nat can’t call—” Lamar started.
“I have this,”I blurted, then dangled Bernice in front of them. I’d brought her to give me an edge. The frog talisman had been sitting in my pocket all night. This wasn’t what I’d had planned for her, but I had to do what I had to do.
Jack’s gaze went from me to Bernice. “A keychain?”
I ran my fingers over her metal form. “She’s not just a keychain. She’s my lucky charm.”
Lamar looked at Bernice skeptically. “It looks like it’s on its last legs.”
I shook my head. “As I said, she’s lucky. And priceless.”
Jack’s eyes lit up, and it almost seemed as if he wanted her more after that. “I’m fine with it if you are, Lamar.” Then he shrugged noncommittally, as if he hadn’t just played his hand. How this man had been at the top of this game, I had no clue. He couldn’t bluff his way out of a paper bag.
“You must really need some luck.” Lamar ran his hand over his brow and grinned. “Yeah, okay, let the frog in.”
I wasn’t going to lose, so I kissed Bernice and set her on top of the pile of chips. “Just for a moment, baby,” I murmured.
Jack’s eyebrows went high, as if he were trying to decipher this interaction. I wasn’t about to explain.
“You’re gonna wish you’d folded,” Jack said as if my prized possession wasn’t on the line. His tone was all too playful in front of the audience I hadn’t noticed had gathered. The mess hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Apparently, we were now the entertainment.
With that added pressure, I decided the only folding I’d be doing was my arms across my chest. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”
We all flipped our cards, and I tried not to give away anything I was feeling. Jack had two low clubs. He was obviously going for the flush I hadn’t considered. Lamar had two pairs. And Idesperately needed that full house. Three of a kind was no longer an option.
My gut clenched as I questioned my impulsive actions that had gotten my cute little keychain into this mess. No, it would be okay. I was going to get the full house. And the next card revealed was going to grant my wish.
The final card was turned. A four of clubs.
Lamar gracefully pushed in his cards. I looked over to Jack, his face split into an infuriating smile.
No, no, no. This wasn’t happening. Jack showed off his pocket clubs, completing his flush with low cards. I could have screamed at myself.
Jack was already gloating, seeing my expression. Lamar gave me a conciliatory glance that said he understood.
