Turning the Tables

“Maisie, this is my fault. I’ll get a job right now. I swear I’ll earn the money back.”

Dad grabbed my arm, tears streaming down his face.

“You old fool! How could you lose Josh, too? Do you know how hard it is to find such a good son-in-law?” Before I could stop her, Mom smacked him on the shoulder, furious.

I’d heard of people gambling away money, sure. However, this was the first time a person was lost.

My phone had buzzed earlier with a message from my boyfriend, Josh. [Your dad gambled me away to your cousin. Let’s break up.]

He was so eager, probably wanting an excuse to dump me for ages. Now, he finally had a legitimate one.

Dad opened his mouth again, but Mom swatted him before a single word came out. “Enough! You lost everything, and you still dare talk?”

Then she patted my shoulder. “You’ve always been a level-headed kid. I trust you.”

So, the three of us headed to my cousin Taylor’s place. The moment she saw us, a smug, gloating smile appeared.

“Auntie Patricia, Uncle Paul. Why are you all here? What, here to deny the debt?”

This cousin of mine had been trouble since childhood. She hated school and went off to work, having dropped out in middle school.

I had even tried to talk her into staying in school until she turned eighteen. Otherwise, she would have a tough time finding a job.

Unfortunately, she didn’t appreciate my advice and even declared, “I’m not like you nerds. Studying won’t change your fate.”

She disappeared for five years. Then one day she came back a completely different person, wearing a tight miniskirt and heavy smoky makeup. She drank and smoked, pulling out wads of cash like it was nothing.

My aunt didn’t care what she did to earn that money. As long as Taylor brought home stacks of bills, she didn’t ask a single question.

I’d been warning my parents to stay away from them. However, when my aunt heard I was bringing my boyfriend home, she insisted on meeting him.

So Dad took him over and lost everything.

Dad glanced at Taylor and immediately lowered his head, silent.

I stepped in front of him. “Taylor, you took all of Dad’s money. So today, I will play with you.”

Taylor looked me up and down, then snorted. “You’re a complete nerd. Do you even know how to play cards?”

I shook my head.

“Nope. I’ve been studying all these years. When would I have time to learn?” I said openly and honestly, as if I were there just to ruin her vibe.

Taylor rolled her eyes. “If you can’t play, then get out. Don’t dirty our place!”

“Though I may not know how to play, I do have money. And not just money, I have property too.”

I pulled out my phone and the title deed, showing her exactly what I brought to the table.

Taylor froze. “No way! Didn’t your dad lose everything last night?”

Dad had always had a habit of drinking a little too much, and once he was drunk, he'd ramble about anything. Which was exactly why I'd never told him how much I’d actually earned.