Dead Man's Hand

DEAD MAN’S HAND He sat the longest time Staring at his cards It was a good hand – 3 Queens Better than average considering There were six men at table “Whatcha say, Luke?” Jake Rich demanded “Pete raised yer bet – Whatcha say?” But Luke just sat Staring at his cards Bart Potter had called-him-out He sensed every eye in the saloon was fixed on him He must accept Bart Potter’s ‘call?’ Luke wondered if this was his lucky day? Bart Potter was fast VERY FAST! Luke had every worldly thing he owned in the middle of the table money horse house even his grandfather’s gold watch (been in the family for 100 years) If the Queens held up he felt he might have the confidence to outdraw Bart Potter (if the Queens held up) Luke Tyson was a careful man unusually conservative He’d scrimped and saved since he was just a kid to have his horse his 50 acres Everyone said Luke was too damned security-minded AND he was – What would he do if he lost? WHAT ON EARTH WOULD HE DO? “Luke!” someone called “Bart Potter’s a waitin’” “Us too!” Jake Rich rasped Luke counted his chips – Just enough to call Pete’s raise Luke threw his last chips into the middle of the table There was cold sweat on Luke’s forehead It was just between him and Pete with Bart Potter waiting outside “Three Kings!” Pete smiled confident Luke Tyson’s gut dropped down around his butt “You comin’ Luke?” someone called