In It to Win It

In It to Win It

She lit a cigarette and smiled

cards on the table

her car in the pot

eyes fixed on the one at the head

the boss with the gold watch

and a wedding ring

she bet she could have him

before the week was out

He looked right through her

like she was trouble wrapped in silk

but trouble was her favourite game

a wager was a promise

and she never broke her word

by Thursday he was calling her name

in a locked office

with blinds drawn tight

Friday night came and she had her win

his tie was still hanging on her chair

she tossed him back to his desk

like he was nothing

the room still warm with smoke and gin

she walked away with a slow grin

because he was never the prize

he was just the proof

Saturday morning the knock came hard

three women and a grudge

red nails and sharp heels

they dragged her into the alley

the wife’s voice cold as stone

you don’t play games in my house

without paying the price

and the price was pain

She spat blood and kept laughing

because fear was a stranger

and shame had no place here

a bet was a bet and she had won

even if her ribs ached

even if her dress was torn

she had taken the risk

and the risk had tasted sweet

By Monday the phone rang early

no warning

just her name and the words

you are finished here

she never saw the boss again

never saw his wife

only her own ceiling above her

and the ashtray filling beside the bed

They said she was reckless

said she was asking for it

but she had her own rules

her own way of keeping score

win or lose she would not fold

because every hand was a chance

and chances were the only thing

that ever made her feel alive