Carmella is smoking a cigarette at the bus stop. I am standing with her, also smoking. We are waiting for her bus. I am glad that I have started smoking again. It is much easier than not smoking. Carmella is going to meet her tita, Lucinda, to play bingo at the hall on Chester Road. They like to play and talk to the other players, and have a drink afterwards. Carmella finishes her cigarette, stubbing it out on the top of a bin and throwing the butt away.
She, my tita, always wins. She wins every week, she says.
Really? I say. I am making my cigarette last.
Yes. Every week it is £10 or £20 at least. One time she won £500. She got a House.
Wow. What does she do with her winnings?
Buys more bingo cards. But she also sends some home when she can, to help my family. She sends as much as she can spare.
Her voice tails off and she gazes down the road. A bus rumbles into view, halting to discharge passengers at the next stop along. I finish my cigarette and shuffle awkwardly on the spot, trying to think of something to say.
How are your family doing? I ask.
They are okay. Carmella’s eyes are distracted and far away.
I will see them soon: in one week’s time, she says.
One week?
She, my tita, always wins. She wins every week, she says.
Really? I say. I am making my cigarette last.
Yes. Every week it is £10 or £20 at least. One time she won £500. She got a House.
Wow. What does she do with her winnings?
Buys more bingo cards. But she also sends some home when she can, to help my family. She sends as much as she can spare.
Her voice tails off and she gazes down the road. A bus rumbles into view, halting to discharge passengers at the next stop along. I finish my cigarette and shuffle awkwardly on the spot, trying to think of something to say.
How are your family doing? I ask.
They are okay. Carmella’s eyes are distracted and far away.
I will see them soon: in one week’s time, she says.
One week?
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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