Lotto 17

This hot, sticky, and painfully sunny day is a celebration. In my youth, I’m supposed to enjoy days like this. But this weather makes 19 years old feel older.

Speaking of. My Mommy’s birthday, October 17th, is today. Now, I know this shouldn’t be the weather forecast, but we’re living in Florida.

My parents move around the kitchen, reaching for utensils, and bowls. It’s all in such a motion where they don’t get in the way of one another. I sit at the table, watching them chop up more vegetables and lift more pot lids.

“You know, your Dad had a dream you won the lottery for 17 million.” My mom says, side-eyeing me with a smile.

My Dad agrees with only a nod, trying to cover the fact that there’s food in his mouth so my Mom won’t get mad.

I laugh at him, “Really, did you?”

He swallows quickly, letting out a breath, “Ahem. Yes I did, annnd, you even gave me and your Mom some money too.”

I smile, imagining such a blessing as big as that makes my spine tingle.

“Well I guess that means I should play the lotto today, get you some birthday money Momma.” I pucker my lips at her to get a reaction.

“That’s a good idea, let’s play before we go to your Grandmothers house, yeah?” She sticks her tongue out at me, and we both laugh as my Dad looks between us with a “y’all are so lame,” kind of face.

“No but seriously, I should. Thinking about buying 17 scratch offs.” I say. My mom and dad look at each other, holding back their laughs.

“Girl, why not just play the numbers? That’s a lot of scratch offs.” My Dad critiques.

“Because imagine how many chances I’ll get with the scratch offs, duh. And 17 because it’s the 17th.” I get up, stretching hard enough to feel my bones crack.

“I’ll be back, love you guys. You can’t hide from the heat forever either.” I kiss my Mom on the cheek, and shoulder bump my Dad into the fridge. I grab my keys from the hook by the door, along with my purse, and head to my car. I know just where to go.

**

I walk out of the gas station with my tall cup full of slushie, occompanied by the 17 scratch offs between my ring and pinky fingers.

Getting into the car, I decide to stop at the park I’ve always gone to and acquired all of my life-long scars at.

“Please, please, please.” I whisper, staring at the scratch offs before tossing them into the passengers seat. I drive off, almost seemingly intending to hit everything in sight, cranking up my music.

As I hit the flowing,yet crowded interstate, I notice the sky’s glorious cloud pattern and smile. I feel so grateful for this day. And for what?

My gaze at the sky lingered for far too long, almost as if my eyes were expecting more than I was.

Then, it was. As I stared at the clouds. Before I could blink, or look away, an angel was now looking back at me.

In my car, through my windshield, this beautiful and extraterrestrial angel was smiling at me. And before I knew it-

“OH MY GOSH, THE ROAD!” I scream to myself, snapping my attention back to the road. To my surprise- no other car was around anymore.

**

Finally, I’m at the park. I quickly open my glove box and grab my little black notebook for scratch off support. I write all sorts of important things in it- grocery lists, cellphone numbers, and bill totals.

I shuffle through my cup holder for a quarter, and get to work.

These scratch offs are like bingo. The highest amount to win is $30,000, lowest is $2, and the one I want is $10,000.

After about fifteen minutes of scratching and disappointment, I’ve won $10 back.

I sigh, clenching on my driver wheel, on the verge of tears.

“It’s okay, this day was awesome on its own. But I’m hungry.” I think of my parents and grandma’s house, along with the food I know they’ll have waiting.

I take another deep breathe and chuckle to myself about this entire situation.

Afterwards, I start collecting my pile of losing tickets, shoving them into my middle compartment. I open the glove box and pick up my little black book from the passengers seat, revealing two more tickets.

“Hmm.” I mudder, grabbing them and scratching the first one. As I’m on the last few squares I notice there’s only one box left for $10,000.

“Please, please, please.” I whisper. Following that, with one more irrelevant box, came the bingo.

I stare at the ticket with doubt as I examine my scratches.

“Oh my god!” I shout, shaking my whole car.

“Oh. My. God.” I breathe, it’s almost like a dream.

I look at the second unscratched ticket, picking it up. There was definitely nothing to lose. I scratch it as quickly as possible so I can go give the news. As soon as I was done, I’d gotten another bingo.

I laugh, “Oh come on, you’re kidding.”

I follow the bingo to see which amount, and it was the same. Another 10,000 dollars.

It’s not $17 million, but man I can’t wait to show my parents this.