6 Through the Night

Delaney listened to the women tell Selina and Uncle Win about their futures. They were all anxious but also excited, especially Constance who at last knew she would find love. Delaney didn't talk about hers though and her pensive face kept the others from asking. She played the witch's words over and over in her mind.

What decisions did she need to make to ensure her life was happy?

After thinking herself in circles, Delaney knew she had to go do something to distract herself or she would go mad. She looked around until she found a card table with an empty seat and had them deal her in.

Some hours later the mood had lifted again back to its normal high. The wine was abundant and the young women were feeling happy and free. Delaney smiled wickedly as she won another hand at her table. The men sat back half amused and half frustrated at their almost non-stop streak of losses.

"Stop taking these poor men's money and come play at my table girl," Uncle Win said, chuckling as he saw the pile of coins at her seat. "Have a round on me gents for stealing your view."

Delaney rolled her eyes but put her coins in her purse and followed Win to his table. She was ready for a challenge now anyways and Win only played against people he saw as true advisories.

She glanced around the room to see Cora laughing with her own pile of winnings beside her. The men at her table were roaring with laughter too and it looked like they were doing more talking than playing.

Olive sat with a few men of her own but they were enjoying goodies from the kitchen and drinking too much wine as they flirted with one another.

Constance and Selina were playing at a table close to the entrance with the door guard Cecil who must have been having a slow night.

Delaney in her beautiful gown sat down across from Uncle Win at his table. It was the most ornate table but also had worn dips from so many years and so many hands resting as they played cards. She looked around at the familiar faces of the usual opponents. Uncle Win loved her but rarely brought her to join his game because of how serious it was. There was no room for silliness in a game where the bets could be a month's wages for some people.

"Alright girl place your bet," Win said clearing his throat, "time to see how good you've gotten."

Hands were dealt and Delaney looked down at hers. She only gave them a glance before putting them down and studying the faces around her. These men were serious and hardly blinked, trying not to give away any hints of what cards they held. She worked to keep her breathing even and her face blank as well.

What decisions did she have to make to ensure her life was happy?

Delaney closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She had to push that from her mind. This was not the time to be distracted. She could lose all of her winnings from the rest of the night in one hand.

The game went on and it seemed like time slowed for them and sped up for the room around them. It wasn't long before Olive and Constance agreed to help a somewhat drunken Cora to get home safely. Selina stayed, having started a winning streak of her own at the table next to Delaney's. Besides she would never have left Delaney to make it home on her own.

Hand by hand, Delaney managed to stay afloat and was slowly building her winnings. No one at Uncle Win's table had moved. Drinks were brought to them if they needed them. Delaney was trying not to get too excited but this would be the most money she'd ever won in a night.

Outside, behind thick curtains, the sun was creeping towards the horizon. Neither girl had noticed, however, so intent they were on their games. Selina had hit a low and was now fighting to earn her money back. Cecil had propped himself up in a chair in the corner and was now snoring softly.

So intent on their games, no one noticed when the front door opened and men strolled in.

Selina, sitting in a chair facing forward, opposite of Delaney, was the first one to notice them. Her face went pale and she whispered to her opponents that she was folding. "Delaney," she squeaked, as the men headed their way.

"Not now," Delaney mumbled, frowning and not bothering to look up. The men at her table were equally serious and didn't get disturbed by the newcomers. Delaney was fighting not to jump out of her chair. She had a good hand and it was looking promising. A card was turned and at last, it came to her. She won this round with a royal flush. She beamed at Uncle Win as she laid down her cards. He swore but chuckled and shook his head.

A whistle came from behind Delaney then causing her to jump. She frowned and stood, intending to give whoever was there a piece of her mind. She spun around and froze in place, her frown shattering and being replaced with a look of shock.

"Good morning, my lady," came a deep voice.