You're Mine

Chapter 27: Twenty-two

My machine started to shine and ring like crazy. All sevens were on the screen.

I wondered and realized that everyone were watching me.

People started to applaud. My heart beaten fast.

When it finally stopped, I pulled out the card and took it to the cashier.

"I think I won, but I don't know how much."

"Do you want to take the money?"

"Umm...yeah.", I said. "How much did I get?"

"A thousand."

"A thousand penny?"

"No, a thousand dollars."

I covered my mouth with palm and said. "Oh my God!"

"Do you want fifties or hundreds?"

"Umm...hundreds."

She gave me money, which I won before I ran to find Billy.

I ran through the crowd, and saw Billy at one of the tables where poker was played.

He was deeply in his thoughts, scratching his chin, unaware that I was watching him. He knit another button on his shirt and pulled his sleeves up. His hair looked like he had run nervously through it several times.

Eventually, he lowered the cards and murmured: "Fuck it.", he looked at his phone and got up from the table.

He went toward me and finally saw me standing in the corner, smiling at him.

"I lost $200. I won some, but I fucked it up in the last round. How did you do?"

I put my hand in the purse and took out the money. "Oh...you know...those stupid machines for one dollar."

"Are you kidding me?"

"A thousand dollars!", I said, waving my money in front of his nose and jumping.

"Fuck, Betty! Congratulations!"

When he hugged me tight for a moment, I closed my eyes very quickly, because it was wonderful to be in his arms again.

In my head, I heard Tiana's voice. 'You have twenty-four hours.' Now I already had less than that.

I put the money back in the purse. "Let's go to dinner, to celebrate."

While we were looking for a restaurant, his phone rang.

"Oh, hey honey.", he quickly looked at me when he said that, and I instinctively turned my back to him.

I went a little further and still listening to every word.

"I'm glad you got there safe. In fact, I lost it in the burial. Betty was driving me around until I calmed down. We ended up in Las Vegas. We're here now. I will.
Me too. Have a nice time. Say hi to everyone. I love you too."