Her green eyes connect with mine as they cross.
She’s Dena. She’s my sister. He’d be able to tell if he paid more attention: we both got mom’s eyes.
His black pupils shine at the cards and his mouth is frenetic, alternating between smiles and half words. Strands of slick hair begin to slide off his head. Why did I bet the cuff links, he must be wondering. Why did I bet dad’s cuff links?
He looks at me, and he laughs and I laugh and we raise our drinks. It’s oaky Scotch and a whole lot of money tonight, and I don’t care as much as I used to. I’ve seen this guy a thousand times.
He’s lost over fifteen thousand and a pair of cuff links in his father’s house and he’s completely devoid of remorse. Who knows how he’d react if he wasn’t on those pills. Dena speaks to him.
“You did great Alex! You almost had him.”
At this point, everything Alex hears is the truth.