That Weekend
I got out of the car and look back at the Beamer and I see no movement. It was 230am and the street I live on is pitch black so I figured if she was in there, she would have gotten out by now. I walk over to the car and see no one in there, I open the door and it is unlocked. I didn't live in a bad neighborhood, but I remember when I was 15 my friends and I would go creeping at night down the streets of Richmond, VA and we would check to see if cars were open to steal cigarettes and other small items, and keep anything valuable intact. We were just trying to have a kick, and I knew the kids around town here weren't so thoughtful. I punch the code into my house and hear nothing, and walk slowly over to the room. The lights were off and I place my food down and I hear a rustling in the bed.
"Hey there, did you expect me?"
"Honestly I thought there was a small chance you would come. How did you get in the house?"
"Kendra told me the code, I hope you aren't mad." (Note to self, change code.)
"You know your car is unlocked?" She reached into her purse, pointed it in the direction of the street and set the alarm.
No, I wasn't mad at her, but I was ready to take out some frustration on her after I noticed she was completely naked lying in my bed. I usually don't leave Waffle House food sitting out for much, but sex is definitely one of them. Afterward, I didn't realize how tired I was, I was shaking from not eating and just drinking Red Bull most of the night. She kept on stealing pieces of my waffle and asking questions about the game. I told her it was not doing well, and each week was getting progressively worse. She told me that she took Friday off, and could stay the whole weekend. She also mentioned that she had a great time the night we went out, and that things between her and Kendra were pretty sour. I realized at that point that doing the whole sharing was 100% going to break us apart and should have seen it coming beforehand. This was probably one of the best case scenarios - that one of them still wants to hang out, and Kendra's drama was going to be in the past. Well, at least I saved her from the abusive white trash boyfriend, I didn't feel guilty anymore, just wished things didn't have to fall apart.
Kendra was a pretty cool girl and a lot of fun to hang out with, but Marcy had many redeeming qualities about her too. She was in school and had a career path in medicine, her family situation was more stable, and she was mature for her age. She could easily pass for 22-23, and just talking to her was like talking to someone who had some life experience. We could talk politics, current events, world issues - it was relaxing to have a nice conversation that did not revolve around partying/drama. She asked what I had planned for the weekend and I told her I was going to go to Hard Rock with Josh, and she was welcome to come. Considering she was not a bad recreational player, I thought she would enjoy it, and she was excited. We stayed up all night and slept all day, I don't think I ever saw the sun on Friday.
By 6pm, I was showered and ready to go get some food. Josh had called me, he was interested in going too, I told him just to ditch the Full Tilt gear before he came over. Josh was a lot like Marcy - younger but mature for his age. He was also well mannered and I knew he would get along well with her. We got to Hard Rock around 730 and the place was packed to the gills. I ended up valeting Marcy's car, we took it because it was nice out and she wanted her bluetooth hooked up so she could play music. Josh was set on 2/5, I was set on PLO, and Marcy wanted to try her luck with 1/2. As we get in the poker room, you couldn't see through the sea of people. There was a Little Slick $150 tourney flight going on with a $100K guarantee, it was full season, and tables were locked up. I saw this as opportunity until I saw the wait lists. 1/2 was 30 people long, 5-5 was 14, and 2/5 had 3. I am usually a big advocate on game selection, but the place was filled with action and I wanted to make the most of my time. I hopped on the 2/5 list with Josh, and Marcy got on 1/2 eventually as some tournament tables broke.
I sat down with $1k and this table had clearly been going for a while, because the stacks averaged about 2.5k. I picked up Q
Q
in the SB on a BTN straddle after an orbit and made it 50 to go. Only the BTN calls, and we see an A
A
K
flop. I check/call an $80 bet and a 3
comes on the turn, which goes check/check. The river is a 9
and I check again only to face a $250 wager. A good player could do this with a K, but I didn't feel a K would have bet the flop. I do think he would bet this to make me fold a K, and I call, and he flips over 88 - no good.
As I am playing, I am talking to a guy across the table who apparently thinks I am a tourist, which is hilarious because he has a Bronx accent. He asked me where I was from, and he didn't believe I lived down here. Whatever, think I'm a tourist then. He started berating me for leading out into a 4-way pot with bottom set on a draw heavy board when he had flopped top pair, and said he couldn't call because he had no kicker. He was convinced I had A10 for TPTK and he wouldn't stop asking me about it. I finally admitted I had A10 and he seemed happy for a bit. He was very talkative, but pretty nitty - he reminded me exactly of Vito.
He had whittled down to a 275 stack when he opened from MP to $50 on a button straddle. I made it 185 with 1010, and he moved in for 90 more. I call knowing I am behind almost all of the time, and I flip over my hand when though it's not required. A 10 spikes on the turn and he cringes and finally flips over AA and doesn't improve. I start to needle him about slowrolling me with AA even though he isn't required to show, and he didn't find it that funny. He asks if I want to step outside, and I told him I would be happy to, but only to smoke a cigarette. He follows me outside and I'm thinking this dude is going to go crazy because I needled him after felting him. He ends up asking me for $60 to play 1/2, that he has no money and can't go home like this. I laugh and tell him enough people I know well already owe me money, and think of Mike. It was kind of sad because this happens to me often at poker rooms and I know there is always a sucker that gives in.
I go back in and see Josh is doing well, he has this smirk on his face that is always there when he is playing donkey-ish and winning. Josh knows how to beat 2/5, he just chooses to gamble it up a bit. I walk towards the corner where Marcy's 1/2 game was and she is up about $50, and I'm sure she's having fun. One thing I found a little odd and had just noticed was she was dressed like she was hanging out at a friend's house. She had on fitted sweatpants and t-shirt, she wasn't looking to go out anywhere after, and it was a very laid back look compared to our last time playing cards. She has a Bloody Mary next to her almost gone.
"How many is that?" I ask, referring to the drinks.
"It's number two, they taste great!"
"Well I guess you aren't driving home tonight then," I said and smiled.
"Oh no, this is just tomato juice and olives."
I didn't believe her and went over to taste it. Sure enough, it was just V8 spicy and some olives. I found that a little odd, Marcy definitely liked to let loose when she had the opportunity......