I take my seat at the table.
“We all know what game we’re playing, right?”
The other players nod to each other.
I don’t… but I’m sure I’ll know soon enough.
The game begins.
I draw my first card.
It’s a Two of Spades.
The player to my right plays two Jacks.
‘Okay… Old Maid?’ I think to myself.
Alright, I like that game.
Nice and simple.
The player across from me plays a single King of Hearts.
‘Or… maybe not.’
My mind races through the possibilities.
The player to my left plays three Queens.
They draw again.
I’m not sure what it could be.
I draw a card.
It’s a Three of Clovers..
I place them both down.
The player over from me glares disapprovingly.
‘Did… did I do something wrong?’
The right player chuckles.
He plays the Two of Spades…
‘Wait a minute, how is that possible? I’m holding that-‘
Before I can say anything, he frowns.
The player across is smiling.
She plays the Two of Spades.
‘How does that-‘
The left player draws from the pile.
They play an Uno Reverse card.
I am officially lost.
Center draws again.
She plays Eight Bears.
Right frowns.
He plays a Squirrel card.
Before I can draw, the center player coughs.
She points to an hourglass.
Right scowls.
He pulls his card away.
I play a Three of Hearts.
Left rolls a pair of dice.
They play a Blue Eyes White Dragon.
They call Uno.
Center surrenders.
Right plays an Old Maid.
I play another card.
Left proclaims: “Good Game!”
The three players look my way.
They compliment my moves.
I don’t even know what just happened…
Did I win the game?
Tyler DeWriter 