I’ve played poker with a group from Lake LeAnn since 1977. Bammer and I are the lone original members. The group has played every two weeks since its inception. We’ve had guys move away, get jobs that required them to work evenings, and a couple “just quit”. A few substitutes became regulars. A couple guys dropped out because of conflicts, and, later, rejoined us when an opening occurred. Bammer and I continued on. We had just entered our thirties when the group began.
When I started to spend my winters in Florida, guys subbed in my spot. Bammer started doing the same a few years ago. We rejoin the group when we return for the summer. Ruth insisted I make the trip to the game from our new condo because friendships such as these are too important to leave behind. I’ve played a couple of times since we returned and plan to continue.
Twenty plus years ago, we added a new player. He was a new teacher in Hillsdale, and one of our members, Cal, taught with him. He filled an opening and played for several years until he married, had a son, and moved out of state. He was the youngest member of our group by over twenty years, so we nick-named him The Kid.
The members of the poker group have taken several trips to Vegas. Most were planned around some promotion we were invited to attend. One year, Cal, Jim, The Kid, and I made a four day trip. Our rooms at Bally’s were comped, and we got a great deal on flights, so the three veterans introduced The Kid to Vegas. It’s the first time, and perhaps the only time, he visited “Sin City”.
We arrived around lunch time and ate in Bally’s coffee shop. Three of us had eaten there several times, but it was The Kids’ first. The Kids’ order included a Hurricane. The rest of us were drinking ice tea and water. The Hurricane cocktail is a sweet alcoholic drink made with two types of rum, lemon juice, and passion fruit syrup. It’s traditionally served in a tall, curvy “hurricane glass”. It’s a potent drink.
After lunch we hit the blackjack table. The drinks are free to players, so each time the cocktail waitress came around The Kid ordered one. After his third or fourth I told him he didn’t have to order a drink every time. “They’re available all day, every day. You won’t hurt her feelings if you take a pass now and then.”
He didn’t stop. He drank throughout the afternoon, right up to dinner. The dinner drinks weren’t free, so he took a break. After dinner we headed over to the Comedy Club at Harrah’s. Cal, Jim, and I had been several times, but it was The Kids’ first Vegas show. As we settled into our table, I took note of a trio of women who had zeroed in on The Kid. He was oblivious to their existence, but I could tell they thought he was cute. They had a lustful look in their eyes. They were about ten years older than him, and a dozen years younger than the rest of our group. They attempted to get his attention, but his glassy eyes just couldn’t focus.
He left us to go to the restroom and, after a ten minute absence, Jim went to check on him. When the two returned The ,Kid laid his head on the table. He was down for the count. What might have been a memorable evening, with the three older suiters, never came to pass. He slept through his first Vegas show. We walked him to his room and didn’t see him until lunch the next day. He didn’t order another Hurricane.
The make-up of the group has changed over the years. Most of us are in our seventies now. Ed is the eldest at 103. Tom is in his mid-sixties. As for The Kid, he remains our youngest member checking in at forty-seven. Once The Kid, always The Kid.