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Benjamin Claussen locked the Ebbe Company’s side door. The overcast sky hid the warmth of the sun while the cool breeze chilled him. He flipped the lid on his pocket watch, which displayed a few minutes before six o’clock. He’d never been this late before, and the gang probably started the card game without him.
As he approached his car in the parking lot, Vivian stood next to the fender. If he would have any chance of getting to play tonight, he needed to display the appropriate poker face now. He gave her a grin, revealing his teeth. “Good evening. This is a surprise.” He kissed her on the cheek as always. “What brings you here?”
“Can’t your girl stop by once in a while?” She squeezed his arm and batted her lashes over sea-green eyes. She was always impeccably dressed and her makeup applied like a movie star on the big screen. “I finished up some shopping in town. I thought I’d stop over.”
He glanced around. Never once in the four years of their relationship had she shopped and not bought anything. “I don’t see any packages. The stores didn’t have anything you liked?”
“They certainly did. My trip was so successful the store is having my packages delivered.” Vivian ran her gloved fingers up and down his arm. “Wait until you see the dress I found. It’s the perfect shade of blue to emphasize my locks.” She swept a strand of her berry red hair aside. “You can tell me how much you like it when you pick me up in a half-hour for dinner.”
She’s not changing the plans this time. Ever since their engagement this past year she’d insisted on having him do things her way. He was tired of being tolerant. “It’s Thursday, the fellows are waiting for me.”
“I’m sure you can miss one night of cards.” Vivian pouted. “You saw them two days ago at the wedding.”
He needed to appease her, so he kissed her on the opposite cheek. “I promised I’d play. I can’t go back on my promise now, can I?” His word meant everything. Hers had the sour smell of selfishness.
“You could if you wanted to.” She put her hands on her hips. “All you have to do is go there and tell them you can’t stay. By that time, I’ll be ready.”
“I’m sorry.” He took her hands in his. “I’ll take you out another night. You can wear your new dress then.”
Vivian pulled away. “If you loved me, you would take me out tonight. I can’t believe you’d choose to spend time with them instead of me.”
“How’s Saturday? You decide where you’d like to go. I’ll make the reservation.” The offer came more from obligation than a genuine invitation. Besides, she wouldn’t go. She’d be upset for days and not come around until she calmed down. At least then he’d be able to consider his next steps without any pressure from her.
“Make it for wherever you want. I’m not going.” She swung around and walked away.
Vivian’s heels clicked rapidly upon the ground sounding as if they would break at any second. When the noise faded, Benjamin opened the car door and slid onto the seat. He should be relieved he was able to go, but somehow the situation seemed like the beginning of something worse to come.
Less than four minutes passed until he arrived at Hotel Charles. The main floor housed the restaurant with poker tables scattered near the bar area in the back of the room. A half-wall surrounded three sides of his card pals’ usual table but they liked the privacy and the close access to the bar. Benjamin strode through the main dining room amid drifting scents of Thursday’s fried chicken special toward Emmett and his cousin Louie. He slipped his hand into his pocket and tossed a handful of change onto the stained felt table before flipping a nickel into the pot. “Sorry I’m late.”
Louie grumbled. “You told me you were leaving more than a half-hour ago.”
“I forgot about the numbers that needed to be done before the morning. Besides, Vivian stopped by after you were gone and wanted me to take her out tonight.”
Louie flicked his cigarette over the ashtray. “That explains a great deal.”
“You sound bitter.” Benjamin pulled out a padded chair. “What did she ever do to you?”
“It’s not what she’s done to me.” Louie took a puff and blew a cloud of haze into the air, merging with the scents of cigar and pipe smoke. “It’s what she’s doing to you.”
Emmett pulled the cards together into a pile. “I think we should play.” He laid them next to Benjamin as he took a seat. “Besides, I’d guess your lateness has more to do with your father grooming you harder than Louie’s to take over at Ebbe. Either way, you’re both set up pretty sweet for running the company.”
Louie snubbed out his cigarette. “All right now, my father works me just as hard as Benjamin’s. Ask him who works longer when it comes to fishing season. He’s the first one out the door.”
“It’s true.” Benjamin dealt a round. “Five card stud aces high.”
“Take it easy on me tonight.” Emmett picked up his cards. “I need to come home with some money or I’ll have some explaining to do.”
Benjamin fanned out his cards. “I’ll do my worst.” He grinned. “Tell me, the lady in the frilly yellow dress at your wedding...who is she?”
“Lily Vanderhoof. You’re not interested in her, are you?”
Louie tossed a coin to the middle. “Of course, he’s not. He’s got the lovely Miss Vivian tied to his money clip.”
Benjamin glanced at Emmett. “She brought me some tea. We never did get around to introductions.” He turned toward Louie. “And Vivian doesn’t have her hands on any of my money.”
“Well don’t take this the wrong way, but take a look at Vivian’s mother.” Emmett pushed two nickels into the kitty.
“You’re both plotting against me now?”
“I’m pointing out her mother acts like she’s a queen.” Emmett cracked his knuckles. “I’m sure you’ve heard what they say about apples and trees?”
Louie tapped on the table. “One rotten apple spoils the whole tree.”
“Both of you are wrong. She’s nothing like her mother. And Louie, you mixed two sayings with different meanings again.” Benjamin lifted the edge of his card. “I thought we were here to play poker. Not analyze my fiancée.”
“You know I’m only pulling your arm.”
“Leg.” Benjamin tossed in two nickels and raised another.
Louie swept his cards together on the table. “You know me. I don’t understand women at all anyway. I’d be lying if I said I did.”
Emmett matched the bet. “First fold of the night. You know what that means, don’t you, Louie? It’s your turn to get the drinks.”
“I’m going.”
Benjamin was familiar with Louie’s harsh comments, but Emmett had never spoken up before. Maybe he should consider their frankness since they both noticed Vivian’s altered behavior. It was becoming more apparent these last few months the issue might not go away. He couldn’t continue to ignore the problems with Vivian.
“Are you still in?”
Benjamin had three diamonds showing and one in the hole. “Yes, I’m in.” He rolled two more coins into the pile.
“Now that Louie left, is there more to the story with Lily?”
“I found her intriguing.”
“And?”
“And it’s only been a couple days since we met, but there hasn’t been a day I didn’t think of her.” Benjamin put his hand up between them. “Before you say anything, I know I’m engaged. Believe me, I know.”
“I don’t envy you one bit. The ties you have with Vivian’s family...well, any man would dread making the wrong choice.”
“I’ve made my share of bad decisions lately. On the day of your wedding, Vivian was ready to go and at the last minute she changed her mind.”
“Why?”
“I told her maybe she could get some ideas from the small wedding you were having. I think it may have annoyed her.”
“How come?”
“She said there was no way she’d be seen in a Catholic church, friend of mine or not.”
“Well, this friend likes her less and less.”
“She always makes more out of everything I’m trying to say. I only tried to remind her of our original plan at First Presbyterian.” Benjamin stretched his arms out as wide as they’d go. “Now, it’s turned into a gigantic social event.”
“Princess Vi doesn’t seem too far-fetched, does it?”
Benjamin chuckled. He spun a coin on the table. “I guess not.”
Louie returned and pulled out his chair. “Since I lost the first round, I got each of you an extra drink.” He pointed to the short waiter headed their way balancing a tray on each of his palms.
“Let’s finish this up.” Emmett turned his card over showing a pair of kings. “What do you have?”
Benjamin flipped his card over.
Emmett’s jaw dropped. “A flush?”
“Luck must be on my side, at least in cards.”
The waiter set the tray of drinks on the table and left.
Emmett took out his flask, sloshing some gin into each glass.
Louie passed out the drinks and raised his highball glass. “Here’s to three musketeers, all for three and three for all.”
“It’s all for...forget it.” Benjamin grinned and put his glass down. “Let’s play. I don’t want this luck to cool off.”
After an hour, Benjamin’s pile of money towered on the green felt. He struck a match and touched it near the bowl of his pipe while taking several gentle puffs. A good smoke always relaxed him, and the challenge of worthy opponents energized him. “Are you in or out, Emmett?”
“Out. This hand was awful. I’m down to the last of my change. My wife isn’t going to like this.”
Louie tossed his cards on the table. “You sure are on a streak tonight. There’s about six dollars in that mound of yours.”
Benjamin reached forward, knocking his head on the stained-glass fixture above. The light swung back and forth across the table while he drew the pile of winnings toward him. “We could quit now.” He grabbed the shade, centering it above the table.
Emmett grimaced. “One more, I have to win some time. Five-card draw. Deuces wild.”
Benjamin picked a coin off the heap and threw it in. “All right, ante up.”
Louie matched the bet and stood. “Wait for me, there’s quite a dish over there I’ve had my eye on.”
Emmett shouted as Louie lumbered away, “Hurry up, we don’t have all night.”
“It won’t be long. He’ll say something wrong like he usually does.” Benjamin laughed.
Emmett picked up his hand spreading the cards out between his thumbs. “Do you think you could let me win this last round so I can at least go home with a couple dollars?”
“Now that wouldn’t be fair to Louie, would it?” He peeked at his hand. Three tens, a deuce, and the four of diamonds. “Besides, would you even feel good about winning if you knew I let you?”
“Sure, I would.”
“Let me see what I can figure out.”
Emmett finished his drink and crunched on a piece of ice. “You know there’s a way to get the scoop on whether or not Lily mentioned you.”
“If you want.” His lips curled into a smile.
“Where’s your poker face now?”
Benjamin gulped the last of his drink. “It’s gone when it comes to Lily. She’s so easy on the eyes.”
“Shh!” Emmett pointed at the waiter wiping off the next table. “That’s her brother Arthur.”
“Splendid, all I need is for this to get around town.”
“I’m back.” Louie slid the chair toward the table. “What don’t you want getting around town?”
Benjamin slapped Louie on the arm. “The fact you got shot down again.”
“Witty. I knew it ran in the family.” Louie rubbed the welt on his arm.
“All right you two, let’s play.” Emmett held the deck in his hand. “How many you want?’
Louie bent his cards slightly off the table. “I’ll take one.”
Benjamin wanted to fold for Emmett’s sake, but not yet. “One for me too.” He tossed away the diamond.
“I’m taking three.” Emmett discarded his onto the pile and dealt himself three.
Louie doubled his bet. “I’ve got a good feeling about this one.”
Benjamin couldn’t fold now. Besides, if Louie spoke up, he knew he wasn’t bluffing. “I’ll match your bet and raise you another nickel.”
Emmett folded. “Too much for me.”
Louie tossed in another nickel and laid his cards out.
“Good hand.” Benjamin slowly spread his hand across the felt. “But my full house beats your straight.”
“Well, at least I’ve got a few dollars left, unlike Emmett. Your wife isn’t going to be pleased.” Louie picked up his coins.
“I should have quit several hands ago.” Emmett stacked the cards and slipped them into the box. “I doubt she’ll be upset.”
“You’d be wrong for sure.” Louie flipped a coin in the air, caught it, and slapped in on the backside of his hand. “If a woman says to bring money home, she means it. Heads or tails? Tails, I’m right.”
“That’s not a proper wager.” Benjamin waved a dollar in front of Louie. “I’ll bet Anna won’t be mad at Emmett.”
Louie lifted his hand off the coin. “Heads. All right, we’ll play your way. I’ll take you up on that bet. There’s no way she won’t be angry.”
Benjamin handed Emmett a dollar. “We’ll let him hold the money.”
“All right, I’m in, here’s mine.” Louie put his dollar on top of the other one.
Benjamin winked at Emmett. “This one isn’t much of a gamble. With the luck I’ve been having lately, how can I go wrong?”
Louie stood placing his winnings into his pocket. “You may not be lucky in everything.”
“How do you figure?”
“You know how the old saying goes...lucky at cards, unlucky in love.”
Benjamin laughed. “For once you said it right.”