Thank you Rochelle for the prompt and thank you Liz Young for sharing a picture of your collection of Joker Cards.
Like everything in life, you learn the rules of the game. In poker you take calculated risks and you learn the psychology of bluff and counter bluff. However, there are no rules when the emotions of love are humiliated.
More stories from Friday-Fictioneers here.
Naïve Card
By my bedside, I keep our framed picture. We hold hands and Carol is smiling.
Not now, she said, when I asked. She let me down gently; I was her special card.
Carol couldn’t settle until she won every poker tournament, her paramount ambition.
She promised, soon.
The games were in Chicago, Berlin, Monte Carlo, Macau, and Las Vegas.
She never wrote or called, but occasionally the jokers from card packs arrived.
I read the news from Rome; a multi-million-dollar winner married his croupier.
Carol looked treacherously stunning in white.
I telephoned Alfonso in Naples to return an outstanding favour.
James McEwan 
He’s not taking this well, by the sound of it. Enjoyed this.
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thank you Sandra. No he feels seriously hurt.
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Nicely understated last line
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Her luck ran out. Great story!
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Thank you.
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From winner to loser, and all it took was a phone call. Nice one.
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Dear James,
Subtle hint at the end. I loved “treacherously stunning.” Brutally good.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He should have given up on her years ago!
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Oooo it is not going to end well for her ! It seems she might have finally gambled and lost
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i feel the deck was stacked against him right from the beginning.
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Great use of the jokers. I wonder what kind of favor Alphonso owes.
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Too bad he had to go to such lengths when she told him by her actions he was not a priority. I’m sorry for his heartbreak but not sure it warrants murder. But we’ll see what the jury thinks.
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Hi Dawn, I see you are left in no doubt as to the outcome. I tried to get across a controlling self-important person who is part of a crime syndicate, hence the favour. Thanks for your interesting comment.
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Intriguing story, but what to expect?
And another one down. That marriage thing just keeps causing trouble. A gamble at best. 🙂
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This doesn’t sound very promising for her 😦
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The narrator was dealt a bad hand. Great use of the prompt.
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I hope Alfonso snags some of the cash on the way out after he’s done. Am I wrong for being delighted by your tale of revenge?
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In 100 words, who is right and who is the villain? Thank you.
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James, as we both know, things are rarely ever that clear cut. When more than one human is involved, expect messy. You’re welcome.
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There’s always a price to pay sooner or later for such “liberties,” or deceptions, a card player ought to know that!
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Oh, I wonder what Alfonso’s about to do. Nice one.
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