Signs

Untitled Part 2

Chapter Two.

Renny helped her mother successfully prepare for the poker night, with Sue, Dixie, Betty, Mary and her competitor Mave set to arrive any minute. They were friends Carole had met in town when they arrived, and they had formed a tight little bunch of socialites, Carole being the youngest at fifty nine, and Betty the oldest at eighty-eight.

They had laid a green cloth over the dining table and lined up all the poker accessories, chips, cards, the Button and a dealer's chips. Renny was the dealer usually, she was banned from playing being that she had the unfair advantage of being able to 'read' people. She could sense nerves, confidence, lies, it was too easy to win.

But still, she enjoyed dealing to them, they were loud, and crass - except for Betty, who was notoriously quiet - and they were good, fun, easy company. She could be herself with them, they all knew about her and had come to accept her "gifts".

"They'll be here any minute" Carole announced, putting some more alcohol by the wet bar. The girls loved the game, of course, but it was the gossip, the food and the booze that they thrived on. Poker was just the sideshow, not the main event.

"I know!" Renny snapped, while flicking through TV channels on a short break, snacking on the nuts that were for the poker table.

"That's what you're wearing" Carole demanded, hands on hips

"Yes" she looked down at the oversized off the shoulder tee and the leggings, no shoes.

Carole shook her head and threw her arms, mumbling something while stirring her buffalo dip one more time. She had it simmering for the last two hours, had checked and rechecked to make sure it stayed perfect.

Melody was right, the Bleu cheese was undetectable as a distinct flavor, but added a salty smoothness to the blend.

"Still good?" She asked her mom who was squinting over the crock pot

The doorbell rang.

Renny heaved from the couch and wandered casually to the door, her feet slapping on the wood floors, but just before she got to the door it opened, it was Davis who let himself in, attempting to get past her.

Renny had forgotten to warn him her mother knew about the matchmaking with Spiros, and tried to block him from coming in further.

"Well Hi to you too" He said, his southern accent was very strong, a hit with these northern ladies.

He was very tall and solid. She tried to give him eyes, her only real defense being at least six inches shorter than him, warning, 'don't go in there' But he was driven by the smells coming from the kitchen and that primal instinct took over from any signs of danger.

He pushed past her, sniffed the air "Poker night" He acknowledged the poker table set up

"Yes, you should go" she tried to turn him around

"Why? Don't you think the ladies like my company? Maybe I wanna play"

Renny "Pfft'd"

"You say something? I could take your money in five minutes" he bantered

And she repeated her Pfft, this time a little spittle came out with it

He strode across the open room to the kitchen and leaned over the counter in front of Carole and her dip. He noticed her protectively stand over it, spoon in one hand, tea towel over her shoulder and one finger pointed at him

Renny let her at him, just because he actually was better at poker.

"Davis, after what I heard today, you're lucky to even be in this house" She spoke with control, long and drawn, scaring Davis just a little. His mother had the same tone right before he got cussed out for something stupid he'd done with his brothers, and he usually deserved it then, he just didnt know what he did now.