by Robin Mahle
The impression of a backroom poker game sparked images of cigars and smoke hovering in the air. Middle-aged men with beer bellies and bald heads, laughing and shoveling potato chips in their mouths. However, the game had evolved. The money was serious and most of the players were millennials and the occasional Gen X’er who had cut their teeth with online poker, just like Alex Laughlin. He’d raked in a fair bit of cash in online tournaments. Even found himself winning an entry into the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas a few years back.
So when he heard about the games held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Crooked Horse bar, he thought, why not? As long as the wife didn’t mind looking after the kids on those nights, what was the harm? He rarely lost, and if he did, it wasn’t enough to be concerned about.
He’d convinced a couple of the guys at work to join in, but they weren’t serious players and got pissy when they lost. If there was one thing Alex hated, it was a sore loser. So tonight, he was heading down there on his own. It had been a concern the other night when the cops dropped in and the owner got antsy. His solution was to move the time to later in the evening and so far, so good. A couple of games and no more cops. Alex had soon learned there weren’t a lot of them here in Owensville anyway, and from where he’d originated, that was a pleasant change.
After some trouble with the Feds because of his online gaming habits, he’d lost his job with the City of Indianapolis. Too bad. It had been a cushy gig, but they caught wind of his troubles and that was that. He’d uprooted his family and headed south to Owensville when he’d been offered a position with HVM. It wasn’t great money, but it was work—and health insurance. Besides, he thought it would be good for the kids to move to a small town. He’d never lived in one and figured it was a positive thing. His wife was still getting used to the idea, and she didn’t work, so it was an easier decision.
“Adios, muchachos!” Alex waved to his colleagues. “See you mañana.” He pushed through the doors and made his way to the parking lot. “Hey, Jacob! You heading home too?”
Jacob pressed the remote to unlock his car and opened the door. “Yep. Girlfriend and I are driving up to Indianapolis to see her little sister graduate from Purdue.”
“That’s awesome, man. Must be a smart kid.”
“She is. We’re all proud of her. Where are you off to? Figured you’d be working late tonight since we got the comments back from the review board.”
“Bugging out on time tonight. I have to get home and have dinner with the fam. I’m heading out after that to go have some fun with the boys.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of fun? What, did a strip club open up here?”
“I wish. That’s what this town needs. No, just joining a friendly game of cards.”
“That’s right. You’re into poker.” Jacob slipped into his car. “Cool. Have fun. I’ll catch up with you on Monday. Won’t be here tomorrow.”
“Right. See you Monday. Safe trip.” Alex approached his Toyota 4Runner and stepped inside, starting up the engine. He watched Jacob drive away and felt mild relief. “Well, guess your girlfriend won’t be around to cause any trouble at the bar tonight.” He knew Jacob lived with one of the four cops in this town. “One less to worry about.”
The Crooked Horse Bar and Grill appeared in the distance. It had recently been refurbished after it was taken over by new owners. A lot of things were under renovation in downtown Owensville. The place was starting to shape up in the face of growing jobs and wages. One thing hadn’t changed, and that was the old diner. It was looking worse for wear and needed a facelift. But it was a fixture in town and people still flocked to it in droves. Mostly, it was known for its Sunday brunch that catered to the church-going crowd. This was still God-fearing country, after all. But not for Alex Laughlin. He feared nothing and no one—an arrogant position to take for someone with a family.
Most of the stores and restaurants along this strip of downtown were closed for the night. It was 11pm, and on a Thursday, most folks were tucked up in their beds resting up for another day of work. Alex didn’t need a lot of sleep, never did.
He walked inside the bar and was enveloped in the muted amber light of the pendants hanging above. Shadows landed across his face and warped his features, producing a malicious canvas. The crimson tufted booths and bar-height tables with a single LED candle burning atop each one added to the sultry vibe of the trendy establishment. Almost too trendy for this backwater town.
“I’m starting to dig this place.” Alex continued inside and hoisted himself onto a black leather barstool. He caught the attention of the bartender, a hipster-looking twenty-something who was trying too hard to appear cool. “Hey, man. I’ll take a Stella.”
The bartender nodded and retrieved the upscale cold brew and poured it into its signature chalice. “$7.50.”
“Can I start a tab?”
“Sure.”
Alex retrieved his credit card and laid it on the table. “Hey, um, I’m here for the game. You know if they’re getting started yet?”
The bartender turned to his right at a door marked “office.” “Back there. You invited?”
“I was, yes.”
“Feel free to go back, then.”
Alex returned his card to his wallet and grabbed his glass. He sipped on the frothy top and headed to the room for the invitation-only game of Texas Hold-em. “Evening, boys. Got room for one more?”
Six men sat around a card table and their eyes landed on Alex. An older gentleman with rakish salt and pepper hair and a relaxed blue polo shirt smiled. “I was wondering if you would show up, since you bailed early during the last game. And your friends followed.”
“Yeah, um. Sorry about that. Kid was sick. Won’t happen again.”
That wasn’t the real reason, of course, and it seemed the handsome man, who also happened to be the owner, had caught on.
With his previous exploits, Alex didn’t feel the need to take chances with the authorities. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “What’s the buy-in?”
“One thousand,” another man replied.
“No problemo.” Alex dropped the bills on the table. “Let’s get this party started.”
Riley squirmed in her seat at the Hall of Music at Purdue University. “I’m so nervous.”
“You’re nervous?” Jacob began. “Gracie should be the nervous one. She has to get up on that stage.”
“I know. It’s just, well, I wasn’t sure she would get here. Lord knows, we have enough baggage, and even though Dillon and I shielded her as best we could, you just don’t know.”
“You look like a proud parent.” He peered beyond her and spotted Riley’s mother. “Ellen’s coming.”
“Hey, Mom. Did you find the restrooms okay?” Riley asked.
“I did. It’s busy, though. Probably best you don’t try to go until the ceremony’s over.” Ellen sat down.
“Okay, Mom. I won’t.” She noticed Ellen gazing around the hall. “Who are you looking for?”
“Your father. I expected him to be here by now, assuming he plans on showing up.”
“He’ll be here, Mom. He’s not going to let Gracie down.”
“Sure. Because he’s never let any of us down before,” Ellen replied.
Riley rolled her eyes at Jacob before turning back to her. “I know this isn’t ideal, but it’s just for a couple of hours, tops. Jack has every right to be here, same as you.”
“You’ve given him the benefit of the doubt your entire life, Riley.”
“I’ve learned to forgive, that’s all.” An announcement sounded over the loudspeakers. “Looks like they’re about to start.”
Ethan walked through the row of seats and sat down next to Jacob. “Gracie’s a little nervous, but she’s doing fine.”
“Glad to see you’re an expert on Riley’s little sister,” Jacob said.
“I can’t win with you, can I, man? After the shit you’ve pulled, you’d figure it’d be the other way around.”
�
�Okay, that’s enough. I’m not dealing with this right now. My sister is about to go on stage, and I don’t want to hear a peep from any of you.”
Ethan glared at Jacob. “Good job pissing her off.”
The graduating class at Purdue University was enormous and the ceremony took over two hours. But Riley had watched Gracie receive her degree and felt a sweeping sense of relief. Her little sister would be okay. She could go out into the world and make her own way now and Riley played a big part in that. So had Dillon, who also beamed with pride at the sight of his sister. If not for the both of them, it wouldn’t have been possible.
By the end of the ceremony, Riley stood and noticed Jack two rows below and peering at her. At least he’d made it. Now the real fun of this little family reunion was about to begin.
Jack had stopped drinking shortly after the EF4 when Riley was a kid, but the marriage couldn’t be salvaged. Too much had happened and Ellen couldn’t forgive him. Riley never held it against her. Ellen had been abused verbally and physically by Jack, and while Riley was grateful her father had found a way out, there was reason for Ellen to still be angry, even if she herself wasn’t—anymore. Part of that had to do with Carl.
“We should go say hi to Jack,” Riley said to Dillon.
“I suppose you’re right. What about her?” He gestured to Ellen.
“Jacob, would you and Ethan mind taking Mom out into the reception area? I’m sure she’ll want to find Gracie.”
“Sure thing, babe.” Jacob reached for Ellen’s arm. “We’ll work our way down to the reception, Ellen. Come on.”
Ellen peered at Riley, knowing exactly what she was doing, but she didn’t object.
“Better to get this out of the way.” Riley led the way into the aisle and Dillon followed. Jack and his wife and two children were headed up to meet them. She had only met his new family twice before and it was awkward both times. They didn’t know anything about who Jack had been and she wasn’t going to tell them. “Hey, Dad.” Riley walked into a distant embrace. “Barbara, nice to see you again.” She peered at the boy and girl. “Nate, Sydney, how are you guys? You got so big.”
“Hi, Riley.” Nate was twelve and already pushing five feet nine.
“Hi.” Sydney was only nine and appeared to be a very shy little girl.
“I’m so glad you all could make it. I know Gracie’s excited to see you guys.” Riley knew that was a little bit of a stretch, but Gracie didn’t have the same animosity toward Jack as she once had. The advantage of being the youngest.
“Should we go down and try to find her?” Jack asked.
“Sounds like a good idea.” Riley took Dillon’s hand, and both navigated through the throngs of elated parents and grandparents.
Upon arriving at the reception area, Riley spotted Jacob. “I see them. Looks like they found Gracie.” They walked several more feet when Riley opened her arms and pulled in her sister, embracing her fully. “I’m so proud of you, Gracie!”
“Thanks, Riley. I’m so happy all of you could come. I’ve just been catching up with Mom.”
Gracie had become a beautiful woman. A little on the short side at only five feet four, but with light brown hair in curls that rested comfortably on her shoulders. Her round eyes were big and bright and full of promise. She had the luxury of not knowing or feeling the pain of others. Riley was grateful for that.
Gracie’s attention was diverted at the sight of Jack. “Dad! You made it.” She hugged him with the intensity of a child whose father had been away at sea.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, kiddo.” He turned to his wife. “You remember Barbara, and Nate and Sydney.”
“Of course. Thank you, guys, for coming. I know it’s totally crazy around here right now.”
“Your father’s right. We wouldn’t have missed this,” Barbara replied.
In any other situation, Riley would’ve probably liked Barbara. She appeared kind, friendly, and motherly. But she wasn’t there quite yet. She’d forgiven Jack, for the most part, but allowing Barbara into her life, into her heart, wasn’t in the cards.
“Well, look,” Riley began. “I think we had plans to take you to dinner. You still up for that?”
Gracie regarded her with some concern. “All of us?”
“Um, sure, if you want.” Riley turned to Jack. “If you guys can, you’re more than welcome.”
Ellen folded her arms as a tsk rolled off her tongue.
Jack shot a glance to her before turning back to Riley. “You know, we should probably head back. These guys have sports practice early in the morning. I don’t want to keep them out too late. Maybe another time?”
“Sure. Of course, Dad,” Gracie said. “Guess it’ll just be us, then.” She eyed Ethan and smiled.
“Okay, well, we should probably go.” Jack squeezed Gracie once again. “I’m real proud of you, kiddo.”
She smiled in return. “Thanks for coming, Dad. I mean that. All of you.”
Jack nodded to Riley and gathered up his troops to leave.
Riley watched as they started away and noticed Nate turn back and capture her gaze.
“I know what you can do.”
She creased her brow and her lips parted slightly. He hadn’t spoken that out loud; it was in her head. And when she held his gaze again, the corner of his mouth raised into a half-smile. They disappeared from view. Her face felt drained of color and she looked at Jacob with noted alarm.
“Are you okay, Riley?” he asked.
“Um, yeah. It’s nothing. Come on. We should head out or we’ll never get a table.”
It was Friday and five o’clock was fast approaching. Alex had already shut down his computer and was rolling up his blueprints. A little light weekend work never hurt anyone. And it would make him look good in the eyes of upper management.
Billy Flores, who worked in Accounting, appeared in Alex’s doorway. “Hey, man, you taking off for the weekend?”
“You know it. Got some celebrating to do with the wife. Got us a babysitter and all.”
“Sounds like you cleaned up at that game last night. Kind of wish I had been there to see that.”
“You didn’t miss much. Just a bunch of assholes whining ‘cause I took their money. Even the owner gave me the stink eye when I completely cleaned house.” He laughed. “Not sure they’ll want me back after that.”
“Cool deal. Well, you have a great weekend. Maybe if you do get another invite, I’ll join you. Could stand to learn and thing or two about the game.” Billy slapped the doorframe and headed into the hall.
Alex was feeling pretty full of himself because he’d had a good night last night. Better than he expected, in fact. It would help pay the bills, that was one thing for sure. Since his wife didn’t work, he could use the extra cash. And he did make plans to celebrate with a dinner out. It had been a long time since they’d had date night. This was long overdue.
With his arms wrapped around several sets of house plans, Alex shut off his office light and started toward the front exit. “Night, guys.” He waved to a few stragglers who were shooting the breeze on a Friday afternoon.
“See ya, Alex,” one of them replied.
He pushed through the glass doors and squinted in the late afternoon sun. The air felt sticky on his skin, like the clouds were sitting on the ground. Rain must’ve been coming. The bugs were out and the leaves on the trees were still.
His 4Runner was in sight as he strode through the parking lot. On approach to the driver’s side door, Alex reached into his pocket for the keys. “Damn it.” He grabbed them, but they’d snagged on something in his pocket.
“Having a little trouble there, Alex?”
He whipped around to see the owner of the bar where he’d taken money from several people last night. “Silas. Hey, man, how’s it going?” Alex felt the hair on his neck stand on end. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought you might be leaving work. Hey, what you did last night, that was something
else.”
“Um, thanks,” Alex replied.
“I was thinking the fair thing to do would be for you to come back on Tuesday and give us fellas a chance to earn our money back. You think you might be up for that?”
Alex picked up on his tone and the question didn’t sound like a question at all, more like a demand. “I—sure. I guess I can do that.” He peered up as if thinking on the matter. “Oh, you know what? My kid has soccer practice that night. I promised him I’d be there. You know how it goes.”
“Sure. Sure. I’m a father. Course, my kids are adults now, but sure, I get it.” Silas started to walk away then stopped and turned on his heel. “But you know what, I bet your wife could probably take the little tyke to practice, couldn’t she? She’s a stay-at-home mom, right? And the card game is pretty late.”
“She is. Yeah.” Alex couldn’t recall mentioning that fact to anyone at the game. “I’ll run it by her. See if that’ll be okay. Just the one time.”
“Just the one time.” A smile played on his lips, though his blue eyes were empty. “So we’ll see you Tuesday night, yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Glad to hear it. I knew you were a stand-up guy, Alex.” Silas patted his shoulder. “Have a good night. Enjoy dinner with your wife.” He walked away.
5
The home in which Riley, Dillon, and Gracie had grown up was in view as Dillon parked the car in front of the house. Ellen still lived there and Dillon had helped maintain it for his mother. Gracie would be staying there for a week or so before heading back to Indianapolis for the internship she was awarded upon graduation.
She opted to stay at the old house because Riley had Jacob now, and while Riley insisted it was okay, she didn’t want to feel like a third wheel. And Ellen needed the company.
Ellen unlocked the door and opened it to the scent of mildly stale air due to her absence for the past few days. It soon cleared when she opened the windows.
“Mom, it’s pretty warm in here. You should turn on the air conditioner,” Riley said.