5 MONTHS AFTER
Hey y'all🤍🫶🏽
What's your percentage? I know I'm late btw.
📍HOMESTEAD, PORTMORE
H E N R Y
ʜᴇɴʀʏ
Mi life aguh change!
Mi feel it, fada mi feel it!
Eyes glued to the TV, I watch the Cash Pot numbers being called. Each number matches my card, my heart pounding.
6, 14, 22, 20....
"Please," I breathe. Just one more left. Just one more, before my life changes forever.
The ball is rolling. My bowel too.
"...and the lucky number is....." I keep moving.
God know me wah number 2.
God know.
Uneasy, hands sweating, hoping and praying, I shake my feet. Please God please. Please play my card.
Anyhow yuh do that mi tun Christian.
Henry yaw gamble and a drag in God?
How that wo—
"34!" the woman's voice rings out, clear and crisp. I glance down at my card, my breath catching.
Nuh 34 this?!
Shit.
I wipe my eyes. Maybe mi a see doubles. Mek mi look good. Hoisting the paper up in the direct light.
There it is: 34, the final number. For a moment, the world stands still. The hum of the TV, the distant sounds from the street outside—all of it fades into a surreal silence.
We richhhhhh!
We richhhhhhhhhh!
My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of disbelief and overwhelming joy taking over. Mi win the lattooo! Mi win the lattoooooo!
Jahhhhh! You finally play my card!?
A just $200 mi use and buy a Latto ticket enuh. Now me win millions?
Thank you God!
Thank yuh!
"Wah nuh dead nuh dash weh," I say adrenalized. I can't remember the last time feeling like this.
With trembling hands, I reach for my phone, eager to share the news with my daughter. She's the reason I do this.
She's the reason I try to be something.
I want to do more for her. I want to be a good father. I want to be a good grandfather. I want to have her moth—
She diss yuh. Have sense, the voice in my head reminds me.
I smile at the screen as it rings, bursting with joy.
She answers the video call, already smiling. I notice that she's getting her makeup done. Today's her baby shower, gender reveal.
YOU ARE READING
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