Alina Sabbatini sat in her living room
anxiously playing with her dog, Daisy’s, collar as she watched the clock.
“Girl, I swear if you don’t chill,
well I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” her roommate and best friend Sammy sighed
never breaking her gaze with the television.
“But NCIS is a repeat, and it’s almost
11,” Lena whined.
“I realize that, but there’s a preview
for next week’s new episode and then
I will happily hand over the remote to you. Now shush Lena or I’m gonna have to
rewind and watch it again,” Sammy said turning the volume up.
Alina sighed as she watched the clock
slowly tick. 10:56. 10:57. 10:58. 10:59. “Sammy,” she whined.
Sammy quickly waved her friend off as
her preview ended. “It’s all yours,” she said changing the channel to FOX. “You
know someone once said that the lottery was a tax break for the smart people
who understood statistics and probability.”
“Don’t come begging me for a chunk of
my earnings when I win the big one,” Lena said grabbing her lottery ticket from
her purse.
“If it’s as big as the $2 you got last
fall, I promise I won’t say a word. I’ll see you in the morning,” Sammy said
kissing Daisy’s head before walking down the hallway to her bedroom and closed
the door behind her.
“Don’t you worry about her pessimism
Daisy, when Mommy wins the big one you don’t have to share any of your bones or
pretty new clothes with Auntie Sammy,” Lena said biting her lip as she waited
for the drawing.
“Good evening, America. This is
tonight’s, January 22, 2013, drawing for the Mega Ball, good luck.” the
announcer said as they showed the machines whirling the balls. “The first
number out is ONE, the second ball up is SIX, the third ball up is THIRTEEN,
the fourth ball up is TWENTY, the fifth ball up is FIFTY-ONE, and the mega ball
is THIRTY-ONE. Congratulations to any winners, goodnight,” the announcer
finished as the winning numbers were shown across the bottom of the screen.
Lena’s face went white as she fumbled
with the remote to pause the television. She looked from her ticket in her hand
back to the screen a dozen times. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy fu-,” she said as
her voice trailed off. “SAMANTHA HILL,” she yelled. “SAMANTHA HILL GET YOUR ASS
OUT HERE NOW!”
“Calm down, can this wait, I’m in the
middle of-“ Sammy started before she was cut off.
“NOW,” Lena squealed in response as
she stood to nervously pace the length of the couch.
Sammy made her way out to the living
room a minute later with a clay mask on her face. “What,” she sighed.
“Read those numbers to me. The ones on
the TV,” Lena said taking a deep breath. “Humor me.”
Sammy rolled her eyes and looked at
the paused television. “1-6-13-20-51 and 31. Can I finish my mask in peace
now?”
“One more thing, read my numbers,”
Lena smiled handing Sammy her lottery ticket.
“Girl, I don’t know what is wrong with
your eyesight,” Sammy sighed looking at the ticket. “1-6-13-20-51-31. Wait a
minute are you telling me that you- that’s all six numbers- that’s 264 million
dollars,” she said rambling over her thoughts. “Fuck me, we’re rich,” she
smiled.
“First you’re not my type, missing
some important and necessary equipment, as am I for that matter. And second
Daisy and I are fucking rich. Gotta be in it to win it,” Lena smiled doing a
very excited, uncoordinated dance. “Fucking rich doesn’t even begin to describe
it,” she sang as she danced to the kitchen to hang the winning ticket on the
refrigerator.
Sammy stood speechless, for once, as
she watched her friend dance her way out of the room. Regaining her composure
she followed Lena to the kitchen. “Girl if you’re serious about keeping it all
for yourself and Daisy, that’s cool. Money does change pe-,” she started before
she was cut off.
“Come on, do you really think I would
do that to you? I mean you deserve it because you mock me terribly every week
when I play. But who am I kidding, you’re my girl, girl. We’re fucking rich. So
what’s 264 million divided by three,” Lena asked.
“Three? You’re not thinking of doing
something stupid are you,” Sammy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Three, you, me and Daisy,” Lena
smiled picking up Daisy.
Sammy shook her head. “A shit load of
money.”
“Imagine all the pretty dresses Mommy
is gonna buy you. And your own dresser and closet. And a Swarovski collar and
leash,” Lena said to Daisy.
“And after you finish pimping the pup,
what are you gonna do,” Sammy asked.
“I’m gonna get me a folding chair,”
Lena squealed.
“I know the going rate is an arm, and
a leg, and a kidney or two, but I’m pretty sure you’ll have some money left
over.”
“No, no, no. Not just one, I’m getting
me a tour’s worth,” Lena smiled, satisfied with her impulsive decision already
planning the possibilities in her mind.
