It wasn’t that she recognized me for what I was. She just accepted me. I told her the truth; my false starts, the money troubles, the gambling, the cavorting and philandering.
She was unimpressed. She told me to get her another drink. A seltzer, heavy on the lime.
By the time I got back three men surrounded her. They were all laughing.
“Here you are,” I said, handing her the seltzer.

“Thank you!” she exclaimed. But her enthusiasm was more for her new-found company. But I was willing to wait for her. It was part of the game, I realized.

By the time she finally materialized next to me, at the pool table, I was already knee-deep in debt and she offered me cash.

I knew cash, from her, always came at a price.

I accepted very enthusiastically, with a “Thank you!” While she waited for the men around me to dissipate.