Chapter 2

“A holiday bonus, huh?” Mark sneered, his eyes flicking over me like I was something he’d found on his shoe. “Probably what I spend on gas in a week for my Escalade.” He leaned back, lacing his fingers over his protruding stomach. “Don’t come crying to me when you lose it all, nephew. Heard you and Kylie are saving up for a down payment on a house. Be a shame if your little nest egg flew the coop tonight. She might just fly with it.” Aunt Linda, his wife, tittered beside him, a sound like dry leaves skittering across pavement. The other relatives shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Even they thought he’d gone too far. That was Mark, though. Always had to be the biggest dog in the yard, even if it meant pissing on everyone else. “Don’t you worry about me or Kylie, Uncle Mark,” I said, keeping my voice level. “I can afford to lose what I put on the table. I just hope you can say the same when the time comes.” His eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat, kid?” “Just a statement of fact,” I replied. I looked around the table. “So, who’s in for poker? Need a few more than just me and Uncle Mark.” No one met my eye. Uncle John cleared his throat. “Uh, Mike, Mark, that’s… that’s a bit rich for my blood.” Cousin Steve, who worked construction, just shook his head. “Yeah, man, I’m out.” One by one, they all backed away, muttering excuses. Mark threw his hands up in disgust. “Bunch of chickens!” he boomed. “Can’t even handle a friendly game with a little skin in it. How do you expect to get anywhere in life if you’re scared to take a risk?” He surveyed their embarrassed faces with contempt. I saw the flicker of anger in my dad’s eyes, quickly suppressed. I saw the shame on Uncle John’s face. “Alright,” I said, breaking the tense silence. “Poker’s clearly not working out with these stakes.” I paused, then looked directly at Mark. “How about something simpler, Uncle Mark? Quicker. More… exciting?”