Page 10
"You won’t be flirting your way into my chips."
James Adler
I calmly gather the cards, but my heart is still racing like I’m dribbling a puck across the ice. Elizabeth Bowen is here, at the Golden Age Nursing Home, and I can’t help but feel like the universe is on my side. This is the last place I expected to run into her.
I shuffle the deck with a little flair, more for show than anything. I like to keep my pals entertained, especially Martha. She always smiles like I’v e just pulled a rabbit out of a hat when I do the bridge shuffle.
“All right, folks,” I say, distributing the cards. “Let’s see if anyone can take down Esther. She’s still the Golden Age poker champion to beat.”
Esther cackles, waving a wrinkled hand. “Don’t get your hopes up, sweetheart. I’ve still got some tricks up my sleeve.” She winks at me, and I grin. This woman is all of five feet tall, but when it comes to poker, Esther plays like she has nothing to lose—which, at age ninety, is probably true.
Bill, seated to my left, squints at his card numbers through thick glasses, muttering something about the “government” under his breath. Martha, next to him, hums softly, seemingly unconcerned with her hand. But Lois is laser-focused next to Beth, her poker face locked in. Must run in the family.
“Okay, Elizabeth.” I arch my eyebrows when our eyes meet. “Ready for your first Golden Age Nursing Home poker game?”
“I thought your name was Beth, dear,” Martha says, frowning.
“It is,” Elizabeth snaps, casting me an icy glare. “And yes, James, I’m ready. Bring it on.”
A rush of adrenaline courses through my veins. “Let’s play some poker.”
Bill and Martha start the bet, and before long, it’s Elizabeth’s turn.
“So, Elizabeth.” I grin, peeking at my cards. “You gonna fold already, or are you brave enough to stay in?"
“I’m not falling for that charm, James. You won’t be flirting your way into my chips.” She leans forward slightly, her eyes challenging despite her playful tone as she tosses her chips on the table.
Lois calls too, still laser-focused and ready to wipe the floor with all of us. Esther does the same, and so do I.
The second round starts as I turn the next card, and Bill nods. “Calling.”
Everyone else follows suit, except for Esther, who raises the pot with a reckless confidence only the elderly can pull off. “Call that, you whippersnappers.”
A general groan echoes around the table, and the players start arguing, throwing various curse words at each other. Well, they’re mostly old people swear words, like “dagnabit” or “mother of pearl.”
“It’s a game,” Esther cackles, leaning back against her chair. “If you can’t handle the heat, Bill, don’t sit at the table.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widen, and she leans toward me. “Are they always like this?”
I grin at her. “Only when they’re awake.”
I’m rewarded with a full smile, which seems to put the entire table at ease. In a matter of seconds, the temperature cools down a notch, and there are smiles all around. My job here is done.
We keep playing for another hour or so, and the vibe is back to being relaxed and playful.
Everyone wins at least one hand, which I’m sure helps lighten the mood.
Ultimately, Lois clears the floor, but at least the players haven’t devolved into arguments or glasses of juice accidentally spilled on each other.
“Oh, did the nurses tell you?” Martha turns to me. “We’re having our own Halloween costume fashion show here.”
“You are? That’s fantastic. When is that happening?” I ask, genuinely interested. I’m happy the home organizes events for the residents, and I always try to participate when I can.
“On Halloween night.”
“Well, six p.m.,” Esther chim es in. “That’s probably still afternoon for you kids.”
Everyone chuckles, and I pull my phone from my pocket to check my schedule.
Luckily, it’s not a game night, and we’ll be getting home from our road game that morning.
“I’ll be there,” I say with a nod, and I’m rewarded by full smiles—albeit with a lot of fake teeth.
But hey, who am I to judge? I’m already sporting three of those myself.
“Great,” Martha says, trembling slightly as she clasps her hands. “We’d love for you to be the emcee.”
“Really?” My smile stretches so wide it hurts. I’ve always said that if I wasn’t a hockey player, I’d be the PA announcer at the games. This is probably as close as I’ll get. “I’d be honored.”
“And Beth, you’re invited too,” Esther adds. “You can even enter as a contestant, if you want.”
“Oh, thank you, but I wouldn’t want to steal your thunder.
I’ll come and support you all, though,” Elizabeth says, hooking an arm around her grandmother’s.
The simple gesture breaks my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be with my grandma again.
I’m glad Elizabeth still has the opportunity, and I hope she cherishes it.
We stay huddled around the table, chatting about everything and anything.
Sadly, visitation time is coming to an end, since the residents have baths and medication to take before dinner is served.
We all say goodbye, and I hug each one dearly.
The heartbreaking reality of this place is that even if I’ll be back next week, I can never be certain they’ll all still be here.
Elizabeth hugs her grandma extra long, promising to come back soon, and vowing to remind her parents to visit too. After waving goodbye, we start walking toward the exit.
“It’s weird, leaving her here,” she says out of the blue, and my chest constricts. I know the feeling all too well.
“I get that. But it’s a great facility. They take good care of the residents, and Lois has made plenty of friends already.”
She glances up at me, but this time, there’s no annoyance in her gaze like there so often is. “Yeah. I guess she has.”
We keep walking in silence until we reach the pavement.
“How did you get here?” I ask, looking around. “Do you have a car?”
“Nope,” she says, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I took the subway.”
“Let me drive you back, then.”
Her cheeks flush a cute shade of pink. “Oh, no. You don’t have to. It was a direct train ride here.”
“We’re going to the same place, Elizabeth. Don’t be silly. I can drive you.”
She looks down, and after a momen t, her eyes meet mine again. “Okay. Thank you.”