Legacy's Ghost

Episode 15: Turning the Tables

After the Ghost gets settled next to Lucien, and the dealer slides cards across the table to each of us, I reach out and grab my cards, organizing them in my hand.

I make a conscious effort not to make any expressions as I stare at my cards. Three aces and a couple useless cards.

I resist the urge to look around to see who is watching me, and I pinch my lips together to keep from smiling. I toss down the slough cards and hold onto my aces.

What should I do to keep people from suspecting? My ears burn as if they're fully aware that Lucien and the Ghost are staring at me, picking apart every twitch and tick I make. So I choose a spot in the center of the table and stare at it.

When it's my turn to get new cards, I pick up the dealer's new offering and my mouth goes dry. Four aces.

I swallow hard. Again, I press my lips tight and wince when I realize I'm bouncing a knee.

I stop, place my cards down just like the Ghost instructed, and force myself to look up at the others.

Be unafraid. Act normal.

Whatever that is.

Trina has her brows furrowed and she's biting on her lip. She doesn't look very happy. Must not have a good hand. Of course, after all the times I've seen her in the hallways and around the building, it's pretty easy to see her emotions reflected on her face.

Apparently poker is not well-suited for her.

I glance at Lucien and blink. He's looking right at me. A pit forms in my stomach and my hands sweat. What kind of stuff is the Ghost telling him?

The dealer clears his throat and I glance at her. She has her brows raised, waiting.

I glance on my hands just to make sure I didn't miscount for whatever reason, and bid, "$25."

The Ghost leans in and whispers something in Lucien's ear. 'Lucian nods, clears his throat, and says, "$100."

Trina gasps and throws her cards down, her face turning red. "Pass."

Edgar tosses his cards into the middle of the table. "Pass."

I stare at Lucian and he stares back. I've only seen poker played in movies. What am I supposed to do now? I bite my lip. I toss in the $75 to be even with Lucian's bid, then say, "$50." I want to kick myself. With a hand like this I know I should be bidding. But how do I do it without making Lucius suspect me?

The Ghost and Lucian stare at me for another second before the Ghost leans down and murmurs something in Lucian's ear again. Lucian glances up at him and raises his brows as if questioning.

The Ghost nods.

Lucian's face seems to pale a couple of shades before he turns to me and says, "$250."

I don't blame him. Even though this is fake money I know $250 would last me months if I had it in real life. I've never held that much money before.

I stare down at the chips and count out the bid. The chips are heavy, heavier than I expected when I first looked at them. They feel nice in my hands, like they have value, and they're smooth, velvety. I want to pet them and play with them.

It's a weird feeling.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I remind myself that this money is just fake. Grabbing another handful of chips, I count them out and toss them into the center of the table with a shaky hand, watching them scatter along the green velvet material. "I raise $500. "

Lucian glances up at the Ghost again, who tilts his head and murmurs something to the boy. Lucian's eyes widen, and he slowly nods. He turns to the dealer and swallows. "I raise $1000."

Trina gasps. "That's... That's..." She shakes her head. "I don't know how much that is but that's a whole lot in the middle of the table."

My stomach sinks to my knees and puddles, threatening to make me keel over.

I grip my hands to keep from looking at the cards again. I know what my cards are. I know how good they are. But Lucien just bid $1000. He must have something better. Does he have a flush like Trina did? Is that possible?

I glance at the cheat sheet just to be sure. Only two possible hands can be better than mine. What are the odds Lucien has one? But he's got the Ghost sitting next to him, coaching him. The Ghost must know what he's doing.

Clenching my jaw, I close my eyes and sigh. I know these chips are fake but I just can't get bring myself to waste them on something that isn't a sure thing. "I fold."

I throw my cards into the center, shaking my head.

"Is that your final bid?" The dealer asks me.

I stare my chips, bite my tongue, and nod.

"The winner is Lucian. Please take your chips." The dealer instructs.

Lucian's eyes widened to the size of saucers, and his face lights up in a massive grin. He drops his cards, but in his excitement, he puts them down face up so everyone can see his hand.

A pair of sixes.

I stare at him open-mouthed. He just bluffed me out of more than $1000. My stomach is instantly upset. How did they know to bluff? Did they know I had four aces?

I stare at the Ghost wishing I could read his mind, and wishing I knew his secrets.

Grinding my jaw, I vow to myself at that moment that I want to be just like the Ghost. And I will do whatever it takes to learn to be just like him--or better.