My father worked in Vail nearly everyday. Sometimes in Avon or Beaver Creek. He also did jobs in other resort villages like Keystone and Breckenridge. Mom worked by his side most days, and I helped out when I didn't have school. We commuted from our home in the historic Leadville, Colorado; a former mining community now tourist trap nestled between parallel mountains 10,150 feet about sea level. The drive from Leadville to Vail is a beautiful, yet treacherous stretch of highway that cuts through forests and valleys. The last 10 miles to Vail hugs the edge of a mountain. Below the highway is a 1000 foot drop to the river below.
On our way home from Vail one day, mom and I stopped at a gas station to fill. She purchased $5 worth of lotto tickets, with a jackpot of 9 million dollars. I gripped the dashboard on our way up the steep incline, never fully comfortable with the breakneck turns and 1000 foot drop-offs to my right. Mom is in control of the tape deck, as usual. Playing anything from Tom Petty to the Rolling Stones, and often country western.
"Mom, this might sound stupid, but I have a good feeling about the lottery tonight." Moms eyes widen.
"I have the same strange feeling!" She said.
Home life had slowly deteriorated to certain family members coming home drunk or on drugs most nights. Violent outbursts were common as well, and I couldn't even drag Mom to church anymore. I retreated to my room to lose myself in video games, sports, or music. Things had fallen apart and I couldn't fix them. We needed something to come along and save us.
Around the dinner table that evening, Mom and I shared our premonition about the Lotto drawing with my dad and sister. I was delighted to find our excitement was met with equal enthusiasm. So we went on to tell each other about what we would do with our portion of the money. Where we would move to, where we wanted to travel, and what our dream house would be like. The nice designer clothes I never had, the instant popularity that my sister and I would achieve, and the stability at home that we all needed. And for once we all seemed like a family again, laughing and planning and wanting to take care of each other again.
At 10:00 pm, we gathered around the television like it was Christmas, waiting for the numbers to be called. The first number called was on our ticket. Then the next one. My hands sweaty, gripping my mother's hand. Then the next one. My heart raced! An endless amount of money at our disposal, a mere 3 numbers away!
We even had the fourth number!
With our collective breaths held, we waited for the final two numbers. 21 and 34. Two numbers that could change our lives forever, off to live the American Dream. Fast cars, swimming pools, vacations, and finally health care.
The 5th number....24.
The 6th number....31.
And just like that, we were condemned back to our problems and our lives. And dreams of luxury and happiness were gone, never to return.