Chance

“That’ll be $800.”

Slowly I move my eyes from the window and direct them back at the Monopoly board. Damn. How does she always manage to end up with Park Place and Boardwalk?  

I hand over the money. All I have now are a smattering of little bills. Marge grunts in appreciation and rolls her Everlasting Gobstopper against her dentures, clacking like an abacus. Her lazy eye remains pointed toward the board – and her many properties - while she turns the other to Ginny.

“Your turn Ginny. And this time, don’t forget to roll both dice.”

“I know, I know.” Ginny’s voice recalls long nights spent in the company of whiskey and cigarettes, both companions now banished by her kids since her second heart attack.

My gaze flits back to the window, attracted by a movement in the parking lot. Just a medi-van dropping someone off and the sky shedding snow. Nothing unusual.

“I’m up to my elbows in bread dough when my daughter casually mentions…” Marge stops midsentence. 

“Ginny, just what the hell d’you think you’re doing?”

“I’m straightening my money. I like it so it’s all point in the same direction.”

Now, everyone knows Marge takes her games seriously, especially Monopoly. 

“Well if this doesn’t make you furious…” 

“OK. I’m going. See?”

Ginny quickly throws the dice, moves the thimble and lands on Chance. Her card says, Get out of Jail Free.

I wish there was a Get out of Here Free card.