Poker

Poker is dedicated to Brian T. Hickey, Mikaspice, PP, EW, aka Uggboy, and those who aren’t named. You made a difficult decision in regards to Thomas’s name easier. Thank you!

"My attitude?! My attitude?! I told you I have a blinding headache and don't feel like going out. I hoped you would show a bit more understanding!" Sussanna Pianas shouted at her boyfriend Wesley Wadley. "Always when I suggest we should go out, you find a reason not to. You could think you are ashamed being seen with me." Wes replied heated. "That's not true and you know it. I went with you to that stupid Jets game and to the equally boring lecture about bees." "Thanks very much for confirming you're absolutely not interested in me!" "I am. I do what you like, even if I might not enjoy it, but do you reciprocal? No! How often did I tell you I would like to go to an art exhibition? Instead I have to hang out with your friends, who have nothing better in mind than get drunk!" "Ah, well, the art is deranged!" "Bastard! How can you say such a thing? Frieda Kahlo is one of the greatest female painters in the whole world." "Pah, you're just interested in her, because she's from South America like you!" Sussanna laughed bitterly. "Frieda Kahlo was Mexican. My parents are Colombian! That makes her North American, oaf!" "Don't call me names!" "You don't deserve better!" Sussanna swore at Wesley in Spanish. He had learned French at school, which he thought was much more cultivated than Spanish and didn't understand what she was saying, but guessed based on her body language and voice it wasn't something positive. "God damn it! Speak English with me!" "Okay, I said you're an asshole and that I shit into your whore mother's milk!" It upset Wesley, because his mother had had a loose lifestyle and he and his two half-sisters had three different fathers. He lost it and shook Sussanna. He thought he heard her teeth shatter. "Take it back!" Sussanna was frightened and believed Wesley was going to slap her. Instead of showing how scared she was she struggled with her boyfriend and said: "No! Let go of me, straight away!" "Apologize!" "No!" Finally Wesley got his temper under control and stopped shaking Sussanna. "I'm sorry." He said contrite. "I don't believe you and I have enough of you and your god damn know it all better. Out! Now!" Sussanna, who was dark haired and grey eyed, shot daggers at Wesley. She was glad they had never taken the plunge and moved in together in the two years they had been on and off. Sussanna loved and hated Wesley at the same time. He was attractive with his dark brown hair, blue eyes and broad shoulders. In the beginning she had been intrigued by him being the opposite of her. During the last couple of months Wesley had turned more selfish and rude. The last straw was when he shook her so hard she thought her teeth were going to break. Sussanna feared if a future argument didn't turn out the way Wesley wanted it, he would not stop at shaking her and turn violent. Sussanna didn't want to live being frightened, so for her the relationship was over and this time for real. It broke her heart.

Three months later nothing had changed for Sussanna. She missed Wesley and the laughs they shared, lounging together on the sofa and the sex. Their love making had been passionate and one of the things that kept them together. When she remembered all their arguments, she was glad it was over. Still her grades at college suffered and she turned more frequently to playing poker with friends or online to forget. One evening her best friend Christopher Petrus and she were hanging out together, watching "My best friend's wedding" for the umpteenth time and munching on nachos and salsa. Christopher had a crush on Rupert Everett. "I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks." He said. "Gamblin’, Kid?" Sussanna asked.

A friend of a friend had introduced Sussanna and Christopher at a party. She had misheard the name and understood he was nicknamed Kid. In reality it was Kit. Somehow it had stuck.

“No, I want to see a poker game.” Sussanna was intrigued. “Can I come too?” “Sure.”

Three weeks later Sussanna was on the way with Kid to Las Vegas. She had never been there before. It was like a wonderland for her. Kid showed Sussanna the way around. The professional poker games were highly interesting. Sussanna learned a lot. After watching some of the players for a while she could guess who bluffed. Sometimes she got it wrong of course. Sussanna didn’t dare play herself, though.

Months passed. Sussanna’s grades in Microbiology didn’t improve, but her poker skills did. Encouraged by Kid she tried her luck in one tournament in Atlantic City. She didn’t win. It wasn’t a total disaster either, so Sussanna decided to stay with it. Her parents were less pleased to hear playing took over her studies and demanded she buckle down, since they were paying for college. Sussanna tried to focus on college. In the end poker won.

For the next big tournament Sussanna prepared well. She went to games of her opponents and studied them. She worked on her own body language too.

When the tournament approached Sussanna was nervous and excited. The prize money was high.

Kid was there to support her.

It went well for Sussanna. She held only a “Straight” but managed to bluff her way through until just she and another player were left. Sussanna believed he was holding the better hand, so she gave up. Sussanna was right. He had a “Flush”. As runner up she received still some of the prize money.

For Sussanna everything fell into place. This was what she wanted to do. Sussanna didn’t want to waste her parents’ money further, so she visited them in Buffalo to tell them about her decision.

She went to her father’s office first. Sussanna believed he was going to understand her better than her mother would. The office was located in a non-descript building off Niagara Square and not too far from the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and the Hyatt Regency.

Sussanna hoped she would arrive at a time, when her older sister Roberta and her fiancé Juan were busy and she could catch her father alone. Unfortunately the three had planned to go to Carbone’s Pizzas and Subs for lunch, so Sussanna sighed inwardly, when she encountered her family. They were surprised to see her, but of course happy, even if the visit was unannounced.

“Dad, can I speak to you alone?” “Sure, Sussanna. Bobby and Juan, why don’t you go ahead? We’ll meet in an hour or so back here.” Roberto addressed his older daughter and her partner. They nodded in agreement.

Roberto invited Sussanna to his office, where he ordered sandwiches for them. “So, what would you like to talk about?” “Well, it’s about my studies.” “Alright. Have your grades improved?” Sussanna looked down, ashamed for a moment. Taking a deep breath she looked up and replied: “Not exactly.” Roberto, who was dark haired and brown eyed, frowned. Sussanna looked a bit like him. It was startling for Roberto to stare back into the same shaped eyes and face. “I have thought long and hard about what I want to do and it’s not having a college degree.” “No?” “No. I’m going to play poker professionally.” “Okay, you know what that means?” “Of course. I don’t expect you to support me financially. I should manage on my own. I believe I can win and achieve something…” “I guess I can’t convince you to stay in college until you finished your studies?” “No, I have enough.” “Well, why don’t you try poker for a year and if it doesn’t work out, you can always go back to school?” Sussanna didn’t like her father’s suggestion. She wouldn’t finish her studies, no matter how her carrier penned out. “I love poker and I’m sure I’m going to succeed.” Roberto knew life didn’t always work out as one hoped for, so he was a bit more skeptical about Sussanna’s prospects. It was her life, though, and she had to gain experiences and learn from them. Roberto pushed a hand through his hair, thinking about how his wife Rachel was going to react. She would be disappointed, since she had hoped the majority of her daughters would graduate from college. Roberto and Rachel had four. So far it looked like it was going to be fifty-fifty. Their oldest Frieda and the second youngest Vanessa had done so. Bobby had immediately started within the family business after high school, while Sussanna had at least partly finished her studies. She was twenty one and the youngest.

When Bobby and Juan were back, Roberto handed over the reign to them and took the afternoon off. He didn’t want to let Sussanna stew any longer than necessary and also not leave her to face Rachel alone.

Rachel was cleaning the floor, a chore, she disliked and always put her into a bad mood. It didn’t help listening to Mexican country music.

She listened in surprise, when she heard Roberto’s car approach. She could identify the sound it made. Was he sick or injured? Rachel’s heart started to race. She leaned on her mop. Rachel heard two doors opening and closing. Did they have a visitor? Curious Rachel went to investigate at the security center and checked the CCTV footage. It were Roberto and Sussanna. What was Sussanna doing here?! Rachel feared the worst. Had Sussanna been thrown out of college or was she pregnant? Rachel rushed to the front door, only running full speed into Sussanna, when they turned a corner. The impact was jarring. They would have fallen, if Roberto hadn’t snatched his wife and daughter by their arms and steadied them. “Puh, that’s what I call an entrance!” Sussanna said, when she got her breath back. “Are you okay? What happened?” “Of course I’m okay. Why shouldn’t I be?” “You should be at college, learning.” Rachel shot at her. “Ahem, coffee anyone?” Roberto cleared his throat. He thought it was better to interrupt now before a full blown shouting match could develop. Mother and daughter shot him a dirty look, then ignored him. The two started bickering immediately. “Shut up! Both of you!” Roberto shouted. “It won’t help if you behave like kids!” Roberto’s outburst achieved the desired result. “Let’s go to the kitchen and talk civilized about why Sussanna is here.” Arriving in the kitchen Roberto ordered them: “Sit.” He went to the fridge to get a pitcher of tamarind juice, which he had freshly made in the morning, and filled three glasses. He brought them to the old, scared oak wood table. “Okay, Sussanna has decided she doesn’t want to continue her education.” “That’s awful! I wished you would re-consider. It’s very important for your future. You can’t simply throw in the towel!” “Mama, it doesn’t make sense for me. It’s a waste of time.” “What will you do, if whatever you are planning to do isn’t panning out? Hm? Will you beg us to let you go back to college?” “No. I will find another way and would never ask you to support me in any way.” Rachel forced herself to calm down. She was seriously worried about her daughter’s future. “Honey, I’m scared that you won’t be able to be independent, if you don’t have a college degree and I think it would be better to put your plans on the backburner. You just have only two years to go…” “I think it would be by now slightly longer, because I missed quite a bit of stuff. Please accept my decision. I have made up my mind and you can’t stop me.” Rachel bit her lower lip. It was hard to give in. The love for Sussanna won out. It was more important to have Sussanna trust them and come to them when she had problems instead of alienating her and to have no contact at all. “Fine!” Rachel replied in a tone, making it clear she would have preferred another outcome. It was a relief for Sussanna. She went across the table to hug her mother. “I appreciate it. Thanks so much.” “Hm, we will see about that.”

Sussanna had imagined she would have success immediately, but it was more difficult than she thought. She was very lonely too, since the guys on the circuit had a very different lifestyle than she did. Sussanna was about to give up, when she finally won a major tournament. From then on she finished in the top three and very rarely fell out in the early stages. Sometimes family members and friends were watching and supporting her.

With the success came media attention and an invitation to join the World Poker Tour for Ladies.

One evening Sussanna returned to her hotel in Las Vegas. She was tired and just wanted peace and quiet. Someone was waiting for her. At first Sussanna didn’t recognize Wesley. She hadn’t seen him for years and he had changed. “Sussanna, I made a mistake. I should have treated you better. Could you please give me a chance?” Sussanna was torn. Within a second she made a decision. Sometimes she missed Wesley, but she realized it had more to do with familiarity than really being still in love. She hadn’t forgotten the reason why she had split up with him. Sussanna believed Wes couldn’t change. “That’s really kind of you, Wes, but no thank you.” “Why not? I promise I take better care of you!” “Wes, please, it’s getting embarrassing. I have learned to take care of myself. I don’t need you and I don’t love you anymore. If you would have told me a few months after our split, I would maybe have considered, but not now.” “Please, please, give me a chance. I have changed. I promise I will cherish you.” “Save your breath! I said no and I mean it!” “I’m good for you. We had a great time, didn’t we?” “Yes, we had a great time as long as it lasted, but there was a reason I decided I couldn’t be with you anymore. I don’t trust you.” “Why don’t you let the past be the past?” Sussanna was looking for an escape. She didn’t want to deal with Wesley. Everything was said and the chapter closed for her. Sussanna wondered how she could leave immediately. Wes was still pestering her, when an attractive man entered the lobby. In her desperation she left Wesley where he was and went to the man. “Ah, there you are, Harrison!” She gave the grey haired stranger a kiss on the mouth. He replied it and didn’t seem the least fazed. Their kiss deepened. Sussanna felt her knees weakening and butterflies in her tummy. Oh, man! He knew how to kiss! When they finally separated, Wesley was gone. “Wow, what a welcome! My name isn’t Harrison, though.” “It would have been a wonder if you really would have been called that. You are my lifesaver, though. How can I make it up to you?” “Well, maybe another kiss and a drink at a bar after I have conducted my business meeting. Is that okay with you?” Sussanna’s eyes wandered up to the stranger’s mouth. Hm, another kiss? Sussanna was more than happy to oblige. Would it be as amazing as the first? Her tongue was darting out and licking her lower lip. “Hello, miss?” “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, that would be fantastic!” “Very well. I should be finished in about an hour. Where will I find you?” “I’m waiting here for you in one of the chairs.” “Alright, Missy. See you later.” Sussanna’s hackles were rising. She didn’t like being called “missy”. Sussanna wanted to make a good impression, so she kept her temper in check. The encounter had been invigorating. Sussanna could barely wait to meet the stranger again.

At the agreed time Sussanna went downstairs. She didn’t have to wait long. Suddenly she felt insecure. Should Sussanna kiss the man or shake hands? He was taller than her. Around a foot. Sussanna was 5 ft. 2.5 in.

Before she had been too concerned about the stranger’s lips to notice his aquiline nose and sharp grey eyes.

The gentleman made it easy for her. His hands were resting on Sussanna’s shoulders. Sussanna and he were staring into each other’s eyes what seemed like an eternity. Then he slowly bent down. This time the kiss was gentle, but nevertheless as intense. Sussanna was disappointed when it ended. “Now. Where would you like to go to?” He asked. Sussanna said: “Why don’t you surprise me.” “Fine.” The stranger was a total gentleman and asked Sussanna to wait at the hotel’s entrance, while he was getting his car. She was impressed by the dark Lexus LS460L limousine. It was brand new, luxurious and comfortable. The radio was playing KCNV, a classic channel. “You might not like it. Would you prefer if I switch to KWID?” This station played Spanish Pop. “Oh, no, I like classic music. My parents took me regularly to the Opera and the Symphony in Buffalo.” She thought he was considerate. The stranger took her to a secret Speakeasy, heading west and turning off the Strip. It was near the ARCO gas station. Sussanna loved the dark interior with black leather booths, wooden floors and tables. The tapestry set off nicely in a rich red. Finally after their order was taken, they had time to talk. “I’m Thomas Konstantin Aschari.” “But you don’t look Indian!” Sussanna blurted out, then blushed furious. She could have kicked herself. Thomas just laughed, making her blush even more. “I was adopted and it’s Indonesian.” He explained. “Okay, so your adoptive parents were born there?” “No. My mother was born in Plzeň, It is today in the Czech Republic. At the time it belonged to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. My father was born in Milwaukee, but his parents came from Jakarta.” “I was born in Buffalo, but my parents grew up in Bogota.” “So you are Colombian?” “Yes, that’s right.” “It must have been terrible with all the drug cartels and FARC…” Sussanna didn’t want to talk about that, so her answer was a bit evasive. Thomas thought he had touched a raw spot and changed the subject.

It was amazing how well the two gelled. It seemed as if they had known each other a long time, even so they just had met. They both liked Prohibition Era cocktails, so they ordered a Royal Flush for Sussanna and a Rattle Snake for Thomas.

While they drank and shared chicken wings, they talked about their past.

Thomas was named after Thomas Hardy, because his father was a huge fan of the author. Thomas’s mother had chosen Konstantin in honor of her father.

Thomas was divorced and had two sons. One was twenty-six, like Sussanna, the other was two years younger.

Thomas had his own business. He was a system analyst and lived in Calico Ridge, a bit outside Las Vegas.

Sussanna liked Thomas very much and she wanted sleep with him. Only her catholic upbringing kept her from heading straight to the bedroom.

Thomas sent out signals he felt the same. They exchanged some smoldering looks. It led to nothing. After they had finished their meal and drinks they took two taxis. Before they went their different ways they agreed to meet again.

Over the next few months Sussanna learned to appreciate Thomas’s humor, self-assurance and openness. He was laid back, non-judgmental, considerate and not the jealous type at all. Sussanna loved the fact he gave her all the freedom she needed.

Thomas on the other side loved Sussanna’s optimism, warmth and liveliness. She brought a fresh wind to his home. He thought it was cute, when she swore in Spanish, if something didn’t work out. It surprised him a bit Sussanna could hide her emotions well when she played cards. Otherwise Thomas could read her like an open book.

It didn’t matter to them that Thomas was thirty years older than Sussanna. They had a lot in common including their passion for art, classical music and travelling.

After two months Thomas asked Sussanna if she wanted to move in with him. Before agreeing to it she told him what kind of business her father was in. Thomas took it in his stride he was going to marry the daughter of the Colombian mafia boss of Upstate New York.

Next followed a round of introductions to Thomas’s family. Thomas Junior was very unhappy his future stepmother was a few months younger than him. He made meetings awkward. Thomas Junior believed Sussanna was only after his father’s money and not really interested in him. Her job couldn’t be taken serious either.

Brady, Thomas’s younger son, and his wife had no issues with it. They saw how happy Thomas was and that Sussanna had drawn him out of his shell.

A visit to Milwaukee was necessary too. Thomas’s parents lived in an assisted home, since they were over ninety and fragile.

Klara Beate Strobl Aschari gave Sussanna the once over, then smiled broadly and welcomed her daughter in law warmly.

Arthur Aschari was charm personified.

Thomas was relieved his family had accepted Sussanna relatively easy. He was sure Thomas Junior would come around too. Unfortunately it never really happened.

At Christmas Thomas met Sussanna’s parents. If they had problems that he was older than them by a few years, they didn’t show it. They were hospitable and friendly. It was easy talking with them. They appreciated Thomas was learning Spanish. Soon he was integrated and loved by the rest of the family. Thomas developed a close bond with Roberto.

Sussanna and Thomas married in Las Vegas a year later, exactly on the day they met. Their honeymoon was a weeklong gourmet trip through Morocco.

They had a loving and stable relationship.

Only once they were in a deep crisis. Sussanna was in her late thirties, when she wanted to have children. Thomas argued against it. He had already adult children and four grandchildren and thought he was too old. He didn’t want his kids to grow up fatherless. The chances were good this would happen, since he was in is late sixties. It was unfair to put them in such a situation. They argued a lot about it. Weighing up what spoke for it and against it Thomas decided he couldn’t refuse Sussanna’s wish, and still had maybe twenty years in him. They were financially secure and if he was going to die earlier than expected, his and her family would do anything to support Sussanna. Thomas had still his doubts. In the end he was glad he agreed to have another kid. When Brady and Thomas Junior were growing up, he didn’t have much time for them. With Noah everything was different. It was amazing following Noah’s progress and seeing the world through the eyes of his son. Everything seemed possible and magical. To Thomas’s own astonishment he lived to see Noah graduate from college. They had done it!

©2016