“What are you talking about? Jacob’s never won the lottery,” I say looking up from my computer monitor at my coworker.

“Are you sure? This looks like him.”’ She hands me a news article she printed. The date is exactly a year ago. The man in the photo is holding up a large check at least four feet long. His face is blurred and the article states that he did not wish to disclose his identity.

“Where did you get this?” I ask folding the piece of paper and putting it in my pocket.

“It came up on social media today, because the winner of last night’s pot is also from our town. They did a flashback or something like that.” She shrugs.

“It’s not him, but thanks for checking,” I say and stand up, grabbing my purse. “Leaving for lunch. See you in an hour.”

It’s him. I recognize him even with the face blur. I also notice his favorite jersey. I drive fast to Jacob’s job. He has some explaining to do.

I call him from the parking lot. No need to make a scene at the accounting firm he works at.

“Jacob, if that’s even your name, come out here. It’s urgent.” My ears feel hot, my heart is racing. How could he do this? What else is he hiding?

“How could you lie to me?” I ask when he approaches my car.

“What are you talking about, baby?” He tries to kiss me and I turn my head. His lips land on my cheek.

I pull the crumpled paper from my pocket and throw it at him. I stare intensely at him as he opens it up, wanting to see the exact moment he realizes he’s caught.

“This is what you’re mad at?” He chuckles. “It was $500, mi amor. Did you read the article? It says it right there.”

“I don’t care about the money, Jacob. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I must have forgotten. I don’t know. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“You were in a newspaper and you went out of your way to hide your identity. Try again.”

“I thought I told you. Are you sure you didn’t forget me mentioning it?” He scratches his head.

My eyes narrow. “I’m not playing with you. Tell me what you’re hiding or I will leave and pack my stuff so fast.”

“You would throw throw ten years in the trash over $500?”

I pick up my purse, get back in my car and drive off. I can see Jacob in my rear view mirror staring in disbelief.

The tricked-out Ford 250 wound up and out of the cup de sac. Itsped through the gates of Brentwoods. Carlene gave the security guard a friendly wave. She headed for the highway. Her phone beeped and her dashboard read the incoming text: Tristan - get Takis and Red Bull nitro and coach needs the trip money like yesterday. Picking up speed, Carlene focused on the road ahead. Things had been going so well before it all turned to shit. First the business manager job at the doctor’s office and then the township job, Carlene had always been able to finesse what her family needed. There was always enough for her kids and for Rex. Things were good until some nosy parkers decided to audit the books. Carlene punched for her radio stations. Rex’s lawn service business was just getting started, there were bills and the kids’ tuitions, Carlene had to do beyond sell real estate. Gideon had been a gift. Carlene took the exit. Carlene met Gideon at one of her open houses. The showing was going well with mostly just local looks loos. She baked cookies to create a homey feel in the cavernous McMansion. Lanky with a big smile and a halo of locs, Gideon looked out of his depths amongst the Carrera marble countertops and the sea of white people. Instantly she recognized him, Gideon Luke Shaw, the BettaBillion MegePowerBall winner. Gideon opened cabinets and checked out the appliances. Gideon had won 17 million dollars and he wanted to buy a house for his grandma. Carlene gave him a fresh baked snickerdoodle. Her phone beeped. Text: Tristan - Rex never came home Tiffy is a jerk bring pizza Soon Carlene was Gideon’s business manager. With his power of attorney, Carlene controlled all of his expenses. As a second mother, Carlene controlled access to Gideon. Things were good, really good. Gideon was a big kid in a lot of ways. In her way, Carlene was good to Gideon to the very end. She looked out for him and kept him happy. A security guard waved Carlene through the gates of Wyndham Falls. If only Rex hadn’t gone through her phone, if only Rex hadn’t found the life insurance policies on Gideon, Carlene rubbed her temples as she weaved her truck past the palatial homes. Carlene made sure that everyone around her only knew as much as was willing to tell them. Now Rex knew too much. Suddenly weary, Carlene pulled into Gideon’s garage. Damn nosy Parker. She shut off the truck and closed her eyes. Rex had kept her up half the night insisting on a share of the proceeds from the sale of Gideon’s house. Carlene had been so grateful when she managed to calm him down. Mercifully Rex fell asleep. Her phone beeped. Text: Tristan - don’t forget takis Carlene sighed and cracked her neck. She ordered the kids food for delivery and then headed for the dolly. Though her back hurt she was grateful Rex’s backhoe was still in Gideon’s back yard. The concrete for the pool would be poured Monday morning and that was a godsend. If there were two things Carlene knew it was pools sell houses and two graves are as easy to hide as one. Carlene opened her tailgate. Things were good.

(Inspired by the game Stardew Valley by ConcernedApe)

 “Haley, you won the LOTTERY!?” Alex exploded
 “Yeeeeah, like—Last year.” She chuckled nervously. “You are the often out, so I didn’t have time to tell you and if I’m being honest, you would waste all the gold on pigs and barns.”
 “I would not! I mean..I would buy a few..” Alex mumbled. “You can trust me, we’ve been married for 10 years! Almost as long as I’ve been in the Valley! Next time, trust me.” She insisted.
 “Alright, fine. And I’ll let you use the last of the money on pigs.” She laughed.
 “Ooo, Marnie is getting cash today! Wooo!” 

(This was a short one because of the holidays I didn’t have much time. ^^)

Since the last year we have been able to afford the more finer things in life which made me suspicious but I figured it was a raise at his job. Until recently today. I was cleaning the house attending duties as a wife when I noticed the door to my husbands office was open. Usually it was locked but I decided to venture in and give it a quick clean. Its when I noticed a slip of paper that was a check for 50,000 of the lottery. What shocked me was that it was from a year ago. How could my husband betray me like this. We never kept secrets especially knowing we have been struggling with money the past few years. I walked outside to see my husband tending the farm. “Honey, how could you lie to me about this. Im shocked you kept such a thing from me.” He turned around seeing how hurt i was with the check in my hand.

“So, he won $3,000,000 last year and didn’t tell me? That’s what your telling me now! Why, tell me?” Ariel spoke in disbelief as she tugged on her long raven pony tail, her purple eyes rimmed in tears.

“He married me last year in Vegas after he won, I swear I didn’t know about you til, yesterday!” Betty said as she brushed a strand of her blond hair out from her blue eyes.

“I’ve been his wife, for 3 years now, he married me in Maui when you were in the hospital after losing your child, I just found out about both of you day before yesterday” spoke Callie, a red head with emerald green eyes.

“So he’s cheating on both of us and he kept from me the fact that he won 3 million dollars?” Ariel reiterated.

“Yes, I think it’s time for a dose of his own medicine!” Said Callie with a wicked grin.

“Yes, Yes that’s what we will do!” Betty said as she rose from her chair to grab a new drink.

[3 Million Dollar Lottery Winner and polygamist dies in fatal skydiving accident. Lottery Winnings and estate worth 3.3 Million awarded to his 3 Wife’s who previously knew nothing of one another]

I slid my hand into the mailbox and pulled out a small stack of paper. I flipped through plain white envelope with a presorted stamp in the corner until I came across one addressed to Jim. New Stanton Bank. I had never heard of this bank, so I opened it to make sure it was junk before tossing it with the others. I slid my finger under the flap and dissected it until I could pull out it’s insides. Statement read in bold letters and as I scanned the page, my eyes caught on the balance. Over $500,000 was in an account in just my husbands name. I tried to make the surprise go away, but he had just said that we could not afford vacation. She had been more diligent in making sure she bought groceries when there was a sale, she painted her own nails and her roots were outgrown. Her underarms felt moist. Her head seemed to spin like a top upon her shoulders. She shuffled the paper into a stack and abruptly walked towards the house. This must be a mistake.

I really didn’t understand, why my partner for life, always hid his bank account paperwork. When I Picked up the mail, there was never anything, for him from the bank. When I asked him, about this He sheepishly grinned, as he looked away, and mumbled, some unknown answer or question.

Sometimes, when you have been with someone, for ten years or so, you think you know them. Well I got a big surprise, from my mysterious partner. His strange bank actions, its seemed were done By the I T tech crowd. Only selected few, were able to even get in to the building.

This went on, from the calendar of one year, and finally He had a somewhat human answer to My every day question. We finally met and he brought the papers with him. I started to read The inked information, and as I consumed all this new info, my mind spins.

He, my partner somehow had won a lot of green money last year in the lottery. That part I Really kept reading over and over in my mind. Small drops of anger, builds up in my head, As I don’t know why, he didn’t tell me.

As my eyes wandered over the last page, it seems that he was sworn to be silent, about His winnings, to me and his family and boss. So now that the year is up, we will be doing Some Traveling around helping people manage their money.

The light clicked on as he entered the room, a bright flare against the darkness. He blinked and stepped back, startled.

Marie sat at the table, a swath of papers on the wood table in front of her. She sat stiffly, her skin sallow in the warm light. A brightly patterned scarf covered her head, almost as bright as the fire in her eyes.

“What’re you doing in the dark?” Frank loosened his tie and tossed his messenger bag on the floor.

“That’s funny - that phrase ‘in the dark’.” She leans forward, her stick thin elbows on her knees. “Seems apt given the situation.”

“What situation, Marie?” Frank hung his tie on the rack. “Jeez, you’re acting weird. Did you eat to today?”

She stood and stalked towards him, closing the distance, single piece of paper fluttering in her fingers.

“I mean in the dark as stupid, duped, unaware.” Every word was sharp, like glass. “You’re the professor, you shouldn’t need a thesaurus. You know exactly no no what I mean.”

“I assure you I don’t. You should be resting. How long have you been out of bed?” He reached up to stroke her shoulders but she shrugged him off, slapping at his hands.

“Caring and concerned now? So interesting!” She laughed, the sound low and harsh. “Where was the concern when I needed the procedure last year?”

Blood drained from his face, but he side stepped her, tidying the papers on the table. “You know Dr. Titus said something about side effects from the medicine. I can call Nurse Jackie if that helps.”

“The only person you need to call is a divorce attorney.” She threw the paper at him. It swooped up before landing gracefully at his feet. He stepped back as if it was a bomb.

“Marie . . .”

“Marie nothing,” she said drawing herself up to her full height. “I had a chance. One chance. You stole that from me.”

“You still have a chance . . . The last report was good . . .” He circled the table as she moved closer.

“Cut the shit Frank. Where did all this money come from?”

“I won the lottery.”

“When?”

He swallowed. “In February,” he said, his voice a hoarse whisper.

“How much? And don’t lie!” She glared at him.

“$250,000 after taxes.”

Marie crossed her arms, anger the only thing keeping her upright. “Just enough for one life saving procedure in March.” Pain twisted her face. “Guess you were leaning hard on the till death part. What about in sickness and health?”

He held his hands up. “The surgery was experimental. They there was only a 20% chance they could get it all. You could be paralyzed right now.”

“So I should be thankful to be a walking corpse? Instead of a wheeled one? I’m still your wife! You should have told me!”

He fumbled with the words. “You were in such a delicate state — I, umm, I”

“Spit it out Frank. You wanted to keep it all for yourself once I died.” She pointed to the paper on the floor. “There’s 103,000 in that account. Where’s the rest?”

“It’s gone.”

Marie snorted. “Just gone. You don’t think to tell your sick wife. I don’t even know who you are.”

“Don’t say that! I was wrong—“

“You were wrong. But that’s not my problem anymore,” she hissed. “Get that bag and get out.”

“But you need me.”

“Not anymore.”

“Marie . . .”

“You’ll hear from my representative tomorrow.”

“And Frank?”

He lifted his head, pausing by the door.

“I’m telling the kids.”

Like a balloon, he deflated further, sagging out of the doorway, shutting the door behind him.

She collapsed into the low settee by the window, dry heaves rippling through her, the shudder of a heart being rent into two. I would welcome death in this moment.

She heard as the engine turned over and watched the sweep of his headlights as they washed over the ceiling. She cried until she felt as dry as ash, broken and loose, floating in the ether.

One wondering broke through as she laid there, too weak to make it back into bed. Was there any way possible for him to feel the pain, the gutting, annihilating pain, she felt and how can she make that happen with the time she had left?

I open my eyes and the sun fills the room with warm light. I turn and see my handsome husband Liam sleeping next to me. I head downstairs and wake up my 4 year old daughter Saige. I start getting her dressed in her cute little outfit and when we finally get done we head to the kitchen and my husband is making breakfast. My life is like a fairytale, I think to myself. I read Saige a story while Liam finished breakfast. We eat and then Liam leaves for work. I turn on the tv and watch Mickey Mouse with Saige. Just then I see a commercial that says that there is a sale on tickets to Disney world and I text Liam and asks if we have enough money in our bank account to get some. I wait and wait but Liam doesn’t respond so I decide to look myself. I pull it up on the computer. I have to make sure it’s the right account because it says there is 3.5 million dollars in there and that couldn’t be our account could it? I frantically text Liam and then call and he finally answers after about 7 calls “Ashley what do you need that you are calling me 7 times?” Liam asks “Why is there 3.5 million dollars in our bank account?” I demand. “Oh about that a couple weeks ago I was at a gas station and I decided to buy a lottery ticket. Turns out I won.” Liam laughs “Why didn’t you tell me that you won?!” I inquired. “Because I won it not you. I was just keeping it in there until I made a separate bank account. Also I want to get a divorce.” Liam states “Fine but what about Saige?” I wonder. “I don’t want her so, custody is all yours!” He exclaims a little to happy. “Fine then!” I scream and hang up the phone. I start to break down. Why would he do this? I thought he loved me! “What’s wrong momma?” Saige asks. She walks over and gives me a hug. “Mommy and daddy are fighting.” I say through my tears. “I am sorry you feel sad momma!” Saige says. I embrace her. I guess some this just aren’t meant to be.

Lies. They are weird things. Creeping up on you, hiding in dark closets, and always hurting someone.

Those are the only thoughts running through my head as I stare at the papers in my hand. Bank reports for an account I never knew my Husband had. Thousands of dollars coming into the account at the beginning of the month and most of it gone by the end. Some of it to our shared bank account, and the rest to another secret account.

When did my husband even buy lottery tickets let alone win? He was always a quiet nice man and we kept quiet lives. Living in our small part of the world raising our kids.

Did he win last year? When he supposedly got a promotion at work? He’s been gone more since then for business trips, overtime work, and office parties.

I startle out of my stupor when I hear his car pull up. I put the bank statements back and leave his office. Should I pretend I don’t know anything? Or should I confront him? The kids lives will be ruined if we divorce. They need us to stay together.