The Poker Players Arrive

Kevin

The first man she greets she’d later come to know as Kevin. He wasn’t what she was expecting of the man’s friends. He’s likely also in his 40s but in much better shape. His head is shaven bald and he wears what looks like an expensive pair of Oliver Peoples frames. He wears a sports jacket over a handsome shirt that’s unbuttoned at the top. A scent of lavender precedes him into the room. Nicole tries to shake his hand and introduce herself. He ignores the outstretched hand and simply sucks air in through his teeth. Coldly, he says “I know who you are” He walks straight past her to the table.

Ralph

The second man to arrive is in line with what Nicole expected of the guests. His hair is unkempt and a little greasy looking. He wears well-worn acid-washed jeans and a black denim jacket. The back is covered with symbolic patches of which the only one she recognizes is an Iron Cross. He has chunky work boots which are caked in mud. Unlike the previous man, he accepts Nicole’s greeting and holds her hand tightly with both hands. “Ralph,” he says with a raspy voice. “So you’re the piece of ass Huck won’t shut up about.” His eyes never meet Nicole’s eyes. Like his hands clutching her hand, they linger much too long on her chest. Nicole doesn’t know what’s more unsettling, him calling her a piece of ass to her face, the revelation that the man’s name might be ‘Huck,’ or the way he licks his lips.

“Ralph!” The man, Huck, bellows from the dining table. “Remember the agreement.”

Nicole is thankful when the creepy man releases her hand and goes to the table. The entire time his head turned, staring at her. She shudders. He whispers something to the two other men at the table.

Chet

The third guest looks like he went to a Motley Crue concert 20 years ago and hasn’t changed out of those clothes since. “Oh hey, I’m Chet,” he says ignoring Nicole’s clear attempt to give her a handshake and instead giving the back of her hand an awkward fistbump. He has shoulder-length, clearly dyed black hair. He doesn’t take off his sunglasses even though the sun has set. “Damn,” he says, tipping his glasses down and looking over the tops. He laughs, “damn, damn. Hell yeah,” and he proceeds to head to the table. He says to the group “Huck, man, she ain’t homely at all you dog.”

Vincent

The fourth and final man to arrive is surprisingly around Nicole’s age. If you were to somehow combine all of the other men into one person he would somehow be the opposite of all those traits. He’s scrawny and pale. His hair is hidden under a ball cap with an old-school Nintendo controller on it. He’s dressed in a t-shirt with Japanese writing on it. When Nicole reaches out her hand it’s almost as if he’s scared of her. “Oh, um, h-hi, my name’s Vincent,” he takes her hand and barely grips it. “I, um, my Uncle invited me. He thought...”

“VINCENT!” Huck yells cutting him off. “Get over here and stop harassing the girl. We’re waiting for you to start.”

Of all the men to walk through her door tonight he was the least harassing of the bunch.

“Oh god, you invited Vincent again? Can I fold now?” Chet says clearly not caring if Vincent can hear.

Huck laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Kyle’s still in the hospital and it sucks playing with four people. Besides, tonight’s a good night for Vince to join us.” He then looks up. “Baby, a frosty round of beers to start things off. And one for yourself.”

“Yes...honey,” Nicole says. She fills the new beer steins she purchased just for him with the beers she purchased just for him.