But it did. In fact, I hit it way too hard and scratched. “Holy shit!” I heard Kirby and Gus hiss through the ringing in my ears. I stood upright and faced the bar. Karen and Candy stared at me, identical expressions of disbelief on their faces. Bryce was behind them, mouth agape and eyes wide. I sensed John at my side, but my vision had blurred. “Good game, Jessie.” He was holding out his hand to me. “I guess I really am having a streak of luck tonight.” I shook his hand and mumbled a ‘Congratulations.’ “Are you feeling okay, ma’am?” “What?” I gazed blindly at the wall behind him. “Oh, yes. I’m fine.” I blinked until I could focus again. “Umm, John,” I said as calmly as possible. “Why don’t you play a game with Candy?” I managed the three steps to the bar and handed Candy my cue. “John’s going to teach you how to play,” I told her. “I’m going home now.” “Are you okay, Jess?” Karen still had a stricken look on her face, but I venture to guess it wasn’t nearly as stricken as the look on mine.
