8-TIT FOR TAT "1990 SANDY THOMAS

to myself. It's just that every girl I'd ever dated, 'ran off with some other 'big' guy.

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Thus began the worst year of my life. It was like trying to tame a tigress. I tried everything to make her "cool down' her dressing style. I guess I loved her or I would have just left.

Most people (men) would have envied me just for being married to Tana.

Just when we were beginning to work out our relationship problems disaster struck. I came home late the day one day and Tana had a funny expression on her face. She sat me down and told me she had something to tell me. My heart raced, wondering if she was going to ask for a divorce or something.

She asked unemotionally, "Do you want the good news or the bad?"

I knew it had to be all bad from the expression on her face. I said, "The bad."

She didn't say anything for a second then whispered, "We have to split. .

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I flushed and started to plead, "Oh, honey, we can work it out. Please, maybe we need some help. . .

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She looked at me with one of her ‘are you for real' looks then interrupted, ". . .the LOTTERY JACKPOT! Twentyeight million dollars! We were one of two with all six correct numbers in the lottery."

"What?" I asked a little disoriented.

"WE WON! We split the Jackpot," she shrieked. "We get fourteen million dollars over the next twenty years. That's $700,000.00 per year, or $58,333.33 per month, or $1,944.44 per day. All ours to spend and enjoy!"

"You're kidding?" I replied stupidly, unsure of what was going on. She looked me in the eyes and I knew it was true. I asked, "So what's the good news?"

Yes, we had won. Our birthday's month (September) 9, her birthday 21, and mine 8, plus those magic numbers 38, 24, 34. We were rich. We could quit our jobs, travel, not have a worry in the world, RIGHT?

Wrong! I was soon to be surprised by what money could buy and what money couldn't.

The next morning we went down to the lottery office and turned in our ticket. It took almost all day. Papers to sign,

TV FICTION CLASSICS -9

publicity shots, legal stuff. It all seemed like a dream that was going to end any minute. The other winner was a sixty-ish couple; he was a janitor at a local manufacturing firm and she took in laundry to make ends meet.

I was so happy for them, knowing that winning would make a big difference in their lives.

We left with a check for our first year's payment, $582,000.00 after they withheld the taxes. We went right to the bank and went out to celebrate after asking Victor and Donna to join us. It was sort of strange winning all that money. Even our families seemed a little jealous at our winning. No one said anything, but the tone was there like we didn't deserve to win. But isn't that what the lottery is all about...no one deserves to win. No one has worked hard, been productive, or lead a good life. No. You spend a buck to get the money without all that 'elbow grease' stuff.

Only Victor and Donna were truly happy for us. For the last several years, Victor had done many things for Tana and me. I'd pick up the fast food tabs and Victor always took us to places that we couldn't afford. We chose to take Victor and Donna out to begin repaying their generosity.

I'd never been to THE BISTRO, (Tana had with some old rich boyfriend) and it was very weird to order and not to have to look at the price tags. We had champagne ($140.00) and a bottle of wine that cost, $350.00. When all was said and done the bill was $938.70 plus a 23% tip (227.74) brought the total to $1166.44. For a dinner!

As we sat sipping coffee and I re-added the bill for the third time, Victor said, "Hey, just pay the bill.”

"I've heard about these waiters," I said still studying the bill. "They pad it up you know."

Tana grabbed the bill from my hand and pulled a clump of hundred dollar bills out of her purse and handed it all to our passing waiter saying, "Keep it!"

"Way to go," Victor said.

I guess seasoned waiters have a sense about it. He knew there was more that enough in his tightly clenched fist. He smiled at Tana and showed his gratitude by bringing us all small round glasses of "Napoleon Brandy" saying, "Thank You Miss. This is on me. I hope you will join us again.' I about lost it, "Tana! We can't just throw this money away. Before you know it it will be gone."

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"Oh sure," she mocked. "Today we didn't spend even half of our daily allowance and we can't eat like this all the time