Wednesday May 20th, 2009

The exercise:

There's a big jackpot up for grabs tonight in the British Columbia lottery and I couldn't help but join in on an office pool to purchase some tickets. If I get my five million dollar cut tomorrow... you'll probably hear the yelling from wherever you may be.

Anyway, the starter for today is: the lottery.

Mine:

"I hope, oh how I hope, that my name is drawn," whispered my dear brother Shawn. I silently wondered when the knowledge would dawn that he was merely aspiring to become a pawn.

The barrel of names went round and round; our eyes were caught, our heartstrings bound. Though thousands were gathered, you could hear not a sound.

At last the rotations were halted and the lid clicked open. A frail old hand reached in while we all watched, dreaming and hoping. I suspect that I was the only one praying for my name not to be spoken.

"The winner, sweet children, of this year's lottery," announced bony old Douglas McGee, "is none other than... young Shawn Gentry!"

My brother let loose a yell and pumped his fist. He embraced me briefly, planted on my forehead a quick kiss. Then he ran to the front to collect his prize, thinking nothing amiss. And to this day, he is dearly missed.