The Winners

Grabbing the car seat from the seat next to me, I followed my wife off the plane. We were the first passengers to exit. That’s one of the nicest things about flying first class. Not only did we arrive relaxed and well rested, we didn’t have to stand and wait for all the other passengers to deplane. As I walked through the door at the end of the jet way, I briefly scanned the crowded gate for the driver. A man was standing holding a sign that said “Gashton”. Quickly, I crossed the aisle.

“I am Pete Gashton.” I said as I extended my hand to the man.

With a look of surprise on his face, he took my hand firmly and pumped it twice.

“Kyle Mithers.” He said as he flashed a nervous smile.

“Well, Kyle.” I said. “There will just be a few things. This and the laptop.” I continued as I hoisted the car seat. “But I’ll take her out first.”

I set the car seat down next to Kyle, undid the harness and lifted Sandy out. My wife, Lanie, who was standing behind me, set my laptop down next to the car seat.

Instantly, Kyle picked up the car seat and the laptop and said,

“If you are ready sir, the car is right this way.”

“Kyle are you going to be our driver the entire time we are in New York?”

“Yes, sir.” Kyle responded.

“Well then, we’re going to be together for a couple of weeks.” I said. “So, drop the sir. It’s Pete. And this is Lanie and my daughter Sandy.”

Lanie extended her hand and said,

“Nice to meet you, Kyle.”

Again, a look of surprise crossed Kyle’s face. He accepted Lanie’s hand.

“Well then … uh … Pete, Lanie.” Kyle said quite uncomfortable with the informality. “As I was saying, the car is right this way.”

He turned on his heel and began walking toward the airport exit. It was good to be back in the States. Even though we had not ventured far from the gate, there was something very American about JFK. It was great to feel American again. Yes, there is an American culture though you may never realize it until you have been away for a while. And we had been gone for what seemed to be an eternity. We started this trip six months ago in London, where we saw a bunch of the old gang.

Then we circled through every country in Europe. We revisited several of our old haunts, in addition to adding several new favorites. It was a blast. As a matter of fact, it was our best trip ever. Six years ago, we spent two years living and working in London. We managed to visit thirteen countries during that time, but it was nothing like this. No, then we were the masters of budget travel. We sought and found unpolished gems at bargain prices. This time money was no object. We went first class the whole way. We stayed in the best hotels, drove a Mercedes, ate in the best restaurants and drank the best wine.

So what happened? Well, about eighteen months ago I stopped at the Little Log Cabin store on the way home from work to purchase a PowerBall ticket. This had been my usual practice on Wednesdays for the last several years. It had become an automatic thing, walking in and plunking down three dollars, one dollar for a Colorado Lottery Ticket and two dollars for a PowerBall Ticket with Power Play. Not only didn’t I think twice much about it, I didn’t even look at the numbers.

That week was no different than any other week, except that I forgot to buy my tickets for the Saturday drawing. As usual, I waited until Monday to check my numbers from the previous Wednesday. I logged in and checked my email. Then I opened Internet Explorer and went to Yahoo! to check the company stock price. Finally, I went to www.colorado-lottery.com to check the numbers.

I noticed immediately that one person had won the seventy-two million dollar jackpot.

“Lucky stiff.” I thought to myself. “Wonder who it was?” Then I looked at the numbers on the web site.

5-8-9-12-25 PowerBall 23

I consulted my ticket.

5-8-9-12-25 PowerBall 23

My hand dropped to my desk with a loud thud. I sat and stared at the screen in disbelief.

“What?” I said out loud. “Really?”

“Can this really be happening? Really?” I looked at the numbers again.

5-8-9-12-25 PowerBall 23

“I fucking won.” I said softly. Then I repeated more loudly. “I fucking won.”

I wanted to scream out, but I had no voice. It had simply vanished.

“HOLY SHIT!” The words reverberated through my head. “I gotta call Lanie.”

Quickly, I punched the number pad and hoped that it was the right series of numbers. The phone rang once, suddenly a thought shot through my head and I quickly hung up the phone.

I returned to Yahoo! and clicked on the Yellow Pages. Then I changed the location to Denver, CO and looked up limousine companies. I made arrangements for a limo to pick me up in an hour. There were a few other things I had to take care of first.

Suddenly, my head was clear. All the dreams of what I would do if I hit the numeric liberator flooded through my head. The plan fell into place. Having over fifteen grand in available credit on my Amex card, it was easy to take care of the necessary arrangements. Then I began typing up a letter, my letter of resignation. By the time I got to the printer, the letter was there. As I plucked it off the printer, I noticed a sweet smell. It was the sweet smell of freedom. I had waited the entire forty years of my life for this day. I had worked crappy jobs for jerks half as smart as me and this was the last day – Pete Gashton’s Independence Day.

Strutting down the hall, I came to my boss’ office I wrapped on the doorframe.

“Hey Bill.” I said cheerfully. “Gotta a sec.”

Bill spun in his chair and looked at me, rolling his eyes as he did so. He did that every time I tried to talk him. Like I was just another inconvenience. Yeah, I was going to enjoy this one.

“If it’s quick.” He said in a disgusted tone.

“Oh, it’s quick.” I said as I handed him my eloquently crafted letter.

Memorandum To: Bill Burkey From: Pete Gashton Date: 7/12/2002 Re: I’m Outta Here BYE!!!

“What the hell is this?” Bill asked as he read.

Smugly, I smiled. No, I downright beamed. I was enjoying this and it was just about to get much better.

“It’s my letter of resignation.” I said. “I quit.”

He was stunned, shocked and amazed. My statement was incomprehensible to him.

“You what?” He finally managed. “When? Why?”

“Uh, now and cause I want to.” I replied in a cocky tone. I was loving this a little too much.

“What I don’t get two weeks?” He asked hurt.

I walked over to his desk, put my hand on his shoulder and said,

“Bill, not just no, but helllll no.” I turned and literally strutted out.

Feeling like I was on top of the world, I walked through the office smiling at all of my co-workers and singing at the top of my lungs.

“Cause I’m free to do what I want any ole time.”

I don’t even really know the song. I think it’s by Jesus Jones. All I know is it was coming out of my mouth. The feeling of independence was overwhelming. It felt as if my heart was expanding, taxing the capacity of my rib cage. It felt great I wanted to explode.

“Catch ya’ll later.” I said as I picked my box of pictures off my desk and jogged to the door.

The limo was parked at the curb. The driver stood patiently waiting for his passenger. Apparently, he did not expect to see a man dressed in a polo shirt and jeans.

“I’m Pete Gashton.” I said matter-of-factly. “And you must be my limo driver.”

“Uh…yes sir.” He replied.

“Sir, I like it.” I said. “We are going to Children’s World on Simms. Know where that is?”

“Uh, yes sir.”

I was drunk with excitement. All I could do was giggle childishly.

“Sir.” I repeated and chuckled loudly. “K, let’s go.”

I got in the back seat and immediately began perusing the bar. It was very well stocked Fat Tire, Coors Lite, Dewars, Stoli, Captain Morgan’s, but there was no champagne. I specifically asked for champagne. This was totally unacceptable. I searched to find the button that lowered the glass that separated the driver from the rear compartment. After several attempts I finally located the button. It may have been easier if I had not been trying to open a bottle of Fat Tire at the same time. Finally, I pressed the button and lowered the window.

“Excuse me, driver.” I said. “Uh…what’s your name?”

“John, sir.” He replied.

“Okay, Johnsir.” I said chuckling at my own wit. “We seem to have a little problem.”

“What is wrong, sir?”

“Well, Johnsir.” I said. “There seems to be a distinct lack of Champagne. I specifically asked for two magnums of Dom Perignon.”

“Yes sir, I have those chilling in the front seat.” He replied. “I was told that we would be making several stops, so I put the ice bucket up front to give room for easy movement.”

“Nice move, Johnsir.” I replied as I lifted my beer bottle. “Cheers.” Then I pressed the button to raise the window.

Reclining into the deep soft leather car seat, I took another drink of beer. This was going to be good. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Lanie’s face when I told her. When she finally came to her senses, I would fill her in on the details of our trip. I made arrangements for the three of us to fly to San Diego. We would spend the weekend with her sister. Then Lanie and I would head to Hawaii for a week. On the way back, Frank and Michelle were to meet us in Vegas. I already had tickets sent to them. Yes, this was going to be great.

Johnsir stopped at Children’s World and went in to fetch Sandy. Once she was snuggly settled into her car seat we headed north towards Lanie’s office. My skin began to tingle as the excitement built. Each traffic light brought me closer. Closer to one of the greatest moments of our lives.

Instead of the tingling, my skin began to tighten and constrict as my emotions grew. I felt as though my spirit would burst out in a wave of energy. Leaving behind only the remnants of my skin like the husk from a shedding snake. Johnsir rounded the corner into Lanie’s parking lot.

“We’re here, sir.” Johnsir said.

“Great Johnsir.” I said. “Do you mind watching Sandy while I run in and get my wife.”

“Not at all, sir.” Johnsir said. “The dispatcher informed me that some baby-sitting would be required.”

“You’re fully bonded, right?” I said with a wink.

“Of course, sir.” He said.

Shaking my head, I got out of the limo.

“Damn, Johnsir needs to lighten up.” I thought. “No sense of humor.”

I walked in the building and nimbly ascended the two flights of stairs. Walking through the door to the stairwell, I turned right, left and then right again. I knocked on Lanie’s door.

“What are you doing here?” Lanie asked taken aback.

“Uh … nice to see you, too.” I said sarcastically.

“Well?” She asked firmly.

I wanted to yell. I wanted to scream. Unable to do either, I decided to talk.

“Uh … well.” I barely managed.

“Pete?” She said concerned. “What’s up? What’s wrong with your voice?”

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat. “You’re never going to believe this.”

I paused unable to continue. This was big, really big.

“What? C’mon.” She said impatiently. “I kinda busy you know.”

“Well, I quit my job.” I said

You what?” She asked angrily. “Without talking to me about it?”

“Yup, I just up and walked right out.” I beamed.

“Are you nuts?” She continued.

A felt a huge smile cross my face. That was exactly what I needed to hear. I knew my voice had returned.

“You don’t need to worry about that any more.” I said cheerfully. “WE WON!”

“Won what?” She asked nervously as she began to feel the energy generated by my excitement.

“PowerBall, Baby.” I said as I burst out laughing unable to hold back any longer. “Seventy-two million bucks. Cash money. Course we are going to get killed on taxes, but we should still have … oh … forty million or so.

“Wha…uh…what?” Lanie managed, unable to process the information.

“We’re rich, stinking filthy rich.” I said. “You don’t have to worry about being busy any more.”

“We won?” She asked in the same disbelief that I had displayed earlier. “Really?”

I could see the gears turning in her head as she tried to comprehend what I was telling her. I watched as she processed the information and I could almost see the thoughts reflected in her eyes as they darted back and forth. Finally, it all made sense.

“IIYYYEEEEE!!!!!!” She screamed. “YES! YES! YES!”

All of the occupants of the adjacent office spilled into the corridor and several heads popped up from their cubicles like prairie dogs responding to a sentry’s alarm. Every one wanted to know what was happening.

“What’s going on?” Debbie asked.

“WE WON!” Lanie screamed.

Unbelievably, we were surrounded by at least twenty people before Lanie even finished her sentence.

“Won what?” Debbie continued as the spokesman for the group.

“PowerBall.” Lanie said in a normal tone of voice.”

A murmur ran through the crowd as everyone had to check if they heard correctly. Before anyone had time to recover and ask stupid questions, I knew I had to make my move or we would never get out of there.

“That’s right, we won PowerBall.” I said forcefully. “Seventy-two million. And that’s all ya need to know.”

As I turned to talk directly to Debbie, I reached out and took Lanie by the arm.

“And Debbie, we’re outta here.” I continued. “Lanie quits.”

“What?” Lanie asked shocked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean we’re millionaires and there is a limo waiting outside.” I replied. “Let’s go.”

“What about my stuff?” Lanie asked.

“We’ll send for it.” I said. “Or not.”

That was it. I took off at a jog and basically dragged her down the hall and led her down the stairs. Neither of us gave as much as a glance to see the reaction of Lanie’s co-workers. As we descended the stairs, we spontaneously burst into laughter. Reaching the first landing, I stopped Lanie. I turned to her. We looked deeply into each other’s eyes and kissed passionately. Tearing away from the embrace, we turned and ran down the last flight of stairs, laughing again as we hustled towards the limo.

Johnsir stood, hands crossed in front of him, waiting for us. As we approached, he turned his back to us and opened the door.

“Thanks, Johnsir.” I said. “Take us to the airport.”

“Very good, sir.”

Lanie looked at me as though I was insane.

“The airport?” She asked. “… and did you call him Johnsir?”

“Uh…yeah the airport.” I started. “And yes, I called him Johnsir - long story. I got it covered, get in and I’ll tell you what is going on.”

That’s how is started. After our month long celebration tour, we went home to take care of the practical things. We paid off the house and bought three more - one in Steamboat Springs, one in Northern Sicily and one in New Zealand. We set up funds to ensure all of our bills would be paid. In addition, we set up college funds for all our nieces and nephews and gave a nice little something to each of our siblings.

Then we started our travels in earnest. We have been more places than we ever imagined. But it is not like the regular tourism, rushing from one place to another. No we stayed at least a week in each city to get to know it. Wandering slowly through the streets with Sandy in a stroller. And we usually only stayed away from the States for three months at a time. In addition, we found time to pursue our hobbies. Lanie played piano and I wrecked good canvas with high quality paints.

Look, I am not saying money buys you happiness, because it doesn’t. In our case, Lanie and I were basically happy people with basically happy lives before we won the lottery. And Lanie and I have been basically happy people since we won. Let me spell it out for you. We had been together for 23 years, since high school. We had a beautiful happy healthy child. We both had decent jobs that paid us a comfortable living. Many people counted us as their friends. All of these things are still true, despite the money.

If I had been a basically miserable person before, I would still be a basically miserable person. If we had problems before the money our relationship probably wouldn’t have survived. Don’t get me wrong. It has been an absolute blast since we won. We have gotten to do so many things that most people never even dream of doing. The best part is that we have done it together. It all comes down to this, despite of all the cool things we have done all that really matters are the things that mattered before we became stinking filthy rich.