The gambler - Short story

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Peter stared at the money in his hand. He had a difficult choice to make, and he knew he was going to make the wrong choice. It was just his luck. He knew he had a serious problem, but it was like he was just attracted to these slot machines, and nothing could stop him. 

He should never even have walked in here, but when he saw the slot machines, he automatically walked in without even thinking about it. It was his five year old daughter's birthday soon, and he had broken so many promises these last few months, he knew he had to make up for it somehow. 

He spoke to her just last week, and he promised that he would buy her the biggest doll he could find. He didn't want to disappoint her again. He couldn't....Monique had warned him that she was going to get a protection order against him if he did.

Things were difficult after the divorce. Perhaps it hit him harder, because he knew that it was his fault. He knew he had issues with addiction, and he tried to hide it as best as he could, but the lies caught up with him, and Monique walked out. She took their beautiful daughter Lilly and just walked out without even listening to him. He begged her to stay but he knew he overplayed his hand. Literally. 

He knew they would be better off on their own, and that he could not even trust himself, let alone them. He was heartbroken but there was nothing that he could do. She took away everything from him, but he deserved the hand that was dealt to him.  

He lost his job a few months ago, and moved in with a friend just to have a place to sleep. He just had enough money left to help pay rent, and to spend his last few dollars on the doll that he promised his little girl, but the devil on his shoulder told him otherwise. The urge was just too strong. 

He prayed and made a promise that if he won today that he would change his life around. He pressed the play button after watching the machine swallow his money. He felt that familiar rush go through him and he closed his eyes. Nothing happened.... he pressed it again, and again and again....

He only had three dollars left, and he literally prayed again that this last spin would be the one.  

He watched the symbols dancing in front of him and he felt the adrenaline pumping. The first row came to a halt on a seven, then he had another one and another one. 

He nearly fainted when all the symbols came to a halt, and he saw the three seven's right in front of him. Alarms went off, and bells started ringing, and he could hear people cheering around him.  Someone handed him a glass of champagne, but he declined.  

He knew God had answered and has taken this burden from him. No more gambling and no more alcohol.  This was the one promise that he intended to keep. He had enough money now to buy a new car, but the only thing that he could think of was his little girl and the beautiful doll he was going to buy. He knew he had to make up a lot, but perhaps if he showed them that he had changed, perhaps now, he could start to prove himself again. 

He walked out of the building feeling enlightened, and he knew that he would never touch a slot machine again. 

-The end-