Page 28 of Playing for Keeps
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That night at dinner Luke joined me at a table with Jacob, Ali, Zach, Jonesy and Reuban.
What did it mean, that Luke now seemed to be purposefully seeking me out? Was he over everything that had happened? Should I talk to him about it? Or would that only open up the giant box of crap again when I should be supergluing the whole thing shut?
It was weird. Every time Luke said something witty or insightful at dinner, I felt a flush of pride. I felt like a kid showing off my old friend to all of my new friends.
After dinner, it became apparent the casual game of Five Hundred I’d walked away from last night had turned into a cut-throat contest with bragging rights on the line.
“Who’s up for cards again tonight?” Ali asked.
I glanced across the table at Luke.
He raised an eyebrow in his “what do you think?” expression.
“I could play some cards,” I said slowly.
“I’ll be your partner,” Luke offered. I flashed him a grin and saw a hint of a return smile before he hid it.
Alfie swaggered over to the table and joined the conversation.
“You sure you’re up to the challenge? Reuban and I completely dominated last night. We almost made Zach and Jonesy cry.”
“I’d cry over a few things about you Alfie,” Zach said. “But you beating me in cards isn’t one of them.”
“Oh yeah, tough talk now.” Alfie looked at me. “You guys want to play us first?”
I hid my smile. This situation relied on my poker face. “Sure.”
Luke kept his face impassive too. “I’m keen. You might have to remind me of the rules though.”
I almost snorted. Yeah, Luke would forget his own name before he forgot the rules of Five Hundred.
Alfie sat down and started shuffling the cards. “You played before?” he asked me.
“A few times when I was a kid.”
Reuban looked at Alfie. “We might have to go easy on the newbies. First round at least.”
“Nah, they’ll pick it up fast enough,” Alfie said as he dealt.
I picked up my cards and sorted my hand before glancing over at Luke. He was holding his cards in his left hand, two fingers tucked behind them.
Clubs.
I held my cards in my right hand with one finger hooked around the side.
Hearts.
I rested the first two fingers of my other hand on the table, letting him know I had two clubs. Then I slowly raised that hand to scratch my neck, signaling I had the left bow.
And so we continued, until we each knew the contents of the other’s hand.
It was crazy, the way we still remembered every signal.
Alfie’s face darkened during the first round when we called eight hearts and then easily won.
“I think they call that beginner’s luck.” Luke put down the pencil after recording the score.
