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“I just have no interest in ever being married or having kids.”
Ashley’s words echoed in Tim’s mind.
Every relationship is like a hand of cards you play. Some hands you fold, some you ride out, and some you win big.
Isabele was a hand Tim thought he had won big time, until she revealed herself to be the queen of clubs instead of the queen of hearts.
Rachel was Tim’s straight, a safe bet to keep in hand, with the hope of improving his position, until New York outplayed him.
Then there was Ashley, a rebound from Rachel’s straight—his “High Card.” It was the realization that he had just been playing to stay in the game, just like she was.
Then there was Lucy- the hand he so desperately wanted, but one he thought he would never get.
However, if Tim had been paying attention over the years, he would have recognized the cards he had been dealt.
Kojo - The Ten of Spades: The one Lucy dealt him. Always alert and constantly barking at the right moment, he had warned Tim all along about the “High Card” that was right in front of him.
Jackson - The Jack of Spades: Who even in death became the bridge between Tim and Lucy as they shared their first hug, marking their initial moment of vulnerability, trust, and true friendship.
Angela: - The Queen of Spades: “Timothy, do you have feelings for Lucy?” The best friend who called his bluff and quietly nudged him toward admitting his true feelings.
Dim & Juicy - The King of Spades: The undercover kiss that felt more real than fake. The card that changed everything without either of them realizing it.
Tim was only missing one thing: The Ace of Spades, the card he thought he would never obtain.
What he didn’t realize was that it was actually the first card dealt to him. It was a small fragment lodged in his back from the day Lucy became his ‘boot.’
That fragment would lead to Ashley folding her hand and walking away from the hospital.
And the same fragment that would trump Chris’s ‘Full House.’
He just had to hold out a little longer.
***
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away and know when to run
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealing's done
-The Gamber, Kenny Rogers