GAMBLING

JOHN SAM AND ABE,

3 RETIRED FRIENDS,

WOULD GET TOGETHER EVERY NIGHT,

RAIN OR SHINE,

TO PLAY POKER.

IT WAS A NICE WAY TO PASS THE TIME

AND THE MEN ENJOYED IT IMMENSELY.

JOHN’S WIFE WASN’T SO FOND OF

HER HUSBAND’S POKER PLAYING.  

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A DIRTY AND

LOW WAY TO FILL HIS TIME,

BUT SHE HAD LONG AGO RESIGNED

HERSELF TO HER SORRY FATE,

ALTHOUGH INSIDE OF HER,

THERE WAS ALWAYS A LOW FLAME

ON THE BACK BURNER WAITING TO ERUPT.

ONE WEDNESDAY NIGHT,

AFTER A FEW NIGHTS OF BORING GAMES,

SOMETHING EXCITING HAPPENED.  

SAM WATCHED IN AMUSEMENT AS

JOHN AND ABE, EACH CONVINCED

THAT THEY HAD THE BETTER HAND,

 SLOWLY PUT THEIR LIFE

SAVINGS INTO THE POT.

THINGS STARTED TO GET REALLY

INTENSE WHEN JOHN,

RUNNING OUT OF AVAILABLE CASH,

ADDED  HIS CAR AND HOUSE

INTO THE POT.

WHEN THERE WAS NO MONEY LEFT

TO BET ON THEY EACH

SHOWED THEIR CARDS.

 AS SOON AS JOHN SAW ABE’S CARDS

AND REALIZED HE HAD LOST,

HE HAD A HEART ATTACK AND DIED.

“SAM,” ASKED ABE

“HOW ARE WE GOING TO TELL HIS WIFE?”

“DON’T WORRY I’LL TAKE CARE OF IT”

ABE REPLIED.

ABE KNOCKED ON JOHN’S DOOR.

“JOHN JUST LOST ALL OF YOUR

LIFE SAVINGS IN A POKER GAME,”

SAID SAM WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED.

“HE’S AFRAID TO COME HOME.”

JOHN’S WIFE WAS FUMING

“HE DID WHAT?!”

SHE SCREAMED.

“TELL HIM I DON’T WANT TO

EVER SEE HIS FACE AGAIN!

TELL HIM TO JUST DROP DEAD!”

“OK,” SAID SAM NODDING HIS HEAD,

“I’LL TELL HIM JUST THAT!”