People are Strange

I had a very interesting weekend. M and I got home on Friday after work to find his brother and wife in our driveway. Totally unexpected or announced, and very much welcome. When I met my sister-in-law (R) for the first time, a mere 7 days after our wedding, I knew immediately that she was someone that would be in my life forever... no matter what. I love her to pieces, and the feeling is mutual. We laugh and cry and make fun of people and are like 2 peas in a pod.

Anyway, we decided that we wanted to head down to the casino's and play the slots etc for a while, and just all let our hair down. We get there and R & I head off to cause mischief while the boys took their gambling venture a tad more seriously. We kept hitting little wins, $20 or $30 but nothing big, but hell we were ahead and laughing our asses off. I always pay attention to what is going on around me, and who is near me etc. I noticed this lady about 6 chairs down, hunched over the machine, eyes glazed, sipping something toxic looking, and fingers yellowed from serious smoking. She just kept feeding the machine with bills, and I wondered how long she had been there. Here I was with my $20 in quarters thinking I hit it big when I won $20 back, and we would keep playing... but I knew that's all I was going to buy. Finally the bells and whistles go off, and she hit the jackpot winning $2500. Let me tell you that I would have been hootin and hollerin like I was a millionaire, but she just sat there and said, "well I can pay the rent still". Spoken like a true addict. When she got her money... she just strolled a few chairs over and sat down again.

R and I were off and running to the nickel slots... wooot... big time spenders we were. My money that I invested was paid back, and we came out a few hundred ahead, had a wonderful time playing and laughing.....but I still wonder if the rent ever really did get paid.

It reminded me hugely of my dead brother-in-law. He was an addict too, only of a more deadly kind. But the behavior and look was the same. And I am sure that her family are just as affected as we all were... after all... someone had to step up and take care of my sister and the 4 kids.

And pay the rent.